India’s biotechnology sector is on a trajectory to reach $300 billion by 2030, fueled by a dynamic startup ecosystem, robust government initiatives like the BioE3 Policy and BIRAC, and cutting-edge collaborations.

In this exclusive interview with BioPharma APAC, Supriya Kashikar, Founder & CEO of GeNext Genomics, shares insights on the evolution of India’s biotech landscape, the critical role of innovation-led policies, and how GeNext’s partnership with Merck is advancing biopharma capabilities. From pioneering antibody platforms to fostering scalable solutions for startups, Kashikar highlights the opportunities and challenges shaping India’s ascent as a global biotech hub.

How has the biotechnology startup ecosystem in India evolved in recent years, and what unique opportunities does it present in 2025 and ahead?

With a strong foundation in research, innovation, and government support, India’s biotechnology sector has emerged as a critical player on the global stage. Leveraging these strengths, the nation’s biotech ecosystem has witnessed impressive growth in recent years, transforming the nation into a hub for bio-innovation. This rise is fuelled by substantial investments, government support, and integration of digital technologies. To further accelerate the sector's development, the Indian government has introduced targeted initiatives and policies to strengthen research and development (R&D) and promote sustainable growth in biotechnology. 

Looking ahead, India's startup ecosystem is poised to play a transformative role in shaping the nation’s future. With the biotech sector projected to reach $150 billion by 2025 and $300 billion by 2030, the industry will unlock new potential and opportunities. Additionally, the new BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) marks a significant milestone, emphasising on innovation-led research and development to drive progress and sustainability in the sector.

Today, the Indian biotech start-up ecosystem is energised and abounding with prospects enabled by emerging technologies, government support, and pressing needs in healthcare, agriculture, and sustainability. The growth of start-ups and the advancement of research will play an important role in the success of the Indian biotech industry. With much strategic support from the Department of Biotechnology and incubation centres across the country, the future of Indian biotech start-ups seems brilliant, with much scope for addressing some of the critical global challenges and simultaneous economic growth.

What role do government initiatives like the BioE3 Policy and BIRAC play in supporting biotech startups and driving innovation?

Government initiatives like the BioE3 Policy and BIRAC play a pivotal role in supporting biotech startups and fostering innovation in India. The BioE3 Policy – ‘Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment’ – and BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) represent transformative steps in strengthening India's biotech sector. Additionally, the Department of Biotechnology actively supports bio-incubators across the country, offering startups access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, funding opportunities, mentorship, and networking platforms. These efforts are key drivers of innovation, enabling the growth of the biotech ecosystem and enhancing its global competitiveness.

The BioE3 policy in particular drives innovation-focused R&D and sustainable biomanufacturing, aligning with global climate goals and positioning India as a leader in the circular bioeconomy. Institutions like the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have nurtured this evolution. By advancing research, fostering innovation, and strengthening industry-academia collaborations, these efforts support bio-entrepreneurship and contribute to the sustainable development of India’s biotech ecosystem, positioning the country as a competitive force on the global biotech stage.

With India's bioeconomy projected to reach $300 billion by 2030, the role of the start-up community is particularly instrumental. As Merck continues to be a partner of progress for the emerging biotechnology startup ecosystem, it underscores its commitment to fostering advancement in this sector. Policies like these not only enhance the drive to support the Circular Economy revolution by 2047 but also nurture innovation and emerging ideas, ensuring a robust, sustainable, and forward-looking future for the biotech industry. 

Can you elaborate on GeNext Genomics' key focus areas and its contributions to advancing India’s biopharma sector?

Founded in 2011, GeNext Genomics Pvt Ltd (GNG) has been at the forefront of advancing India’s biotechnology sector through innovative, client-centric solutions and a commitment to scientific excellence. Initially focused on specialized services for life science customers, it has evolved into a research-driven life science and contract research organization.

Led by a team of experienced scientists, GeNext is dedicated to building self-reliance in antibody development and manufacturing, providing high-quality solutions to meet India’s biotech needs. The company has expanded into biosimilar development, securing National Biopharma Mission funding twice for clone development and optimization for pre-clinical studies. GeNext specializes in large-scale expression and purification of both native and recombinant proteins and has made significant advancements in antibody and protein engineering, contributing to key breakthroughs in the biopharma sector.

Here are some of the key milestones that reflect GeNext’s dedication to transforming scientific innovations into practical solutions, meeting the growing needs of life sciences and biopharma industries in India and beyond: 

• Launch of the HIND™ Antibody Library Platform: A pivotal achievement, the proprietary HIND (Human Immune Naïve Discovery) Antibody Library platform supports the rapid discovery of high-affinity antibodies, positioning GNG as a leader in novel drug discovery.
• Advances in Biosimilar Development: Through support from the National Biopharma Mission, GNG has advanced in biosimilar clone development, receiving funding twice to optimise processes for pre-clinical studies and establishing itself as a critical contributor to affordable therapeutics.
• Diagnostic Innovation: The company developed  several antibodies for various disease detection in veterinary sciences and human diseases, we are the first pioneer in developing antibodies for identifying variants in haemoglobin. By 2047, GOI has made it mandate to screen all the population for sickle cell and haemoglobulin variant. We have developed first indigenous antibody for developing POC test.

How does the collaboration between GeNext Genomics and Merck aim to transform the biotech landscape in India?

In September, Merck partnered with GeNext Genomics to enhance India's biopharma sector. This collaboration leverages Merck's advanced biomanufacturing systems and GNG's proprietary platforms, including Clone Development and the HIND™ Antibody Library. Together, they aim to position India as a global leader in biopharmaceutical innovation by creating a scalable solution for clone development, antibody discovery, and production, boosting the capabilities of the entire biopharma industry.

Merck's expertise in both Upstream Processing (USP) and Downstream Processing (DSP) ensures efficient biologics production, optimizing cell culture yields and refining end products to meet global standards. From research to clinical production, Merck accelerates the development of innovative therapies. Supported by government initiatives, this strategic collaboration is poised to enhance and transform India’s biotech industry, driving growth and innovation within the sector.

What specific innovations or breakthroughs do you foresee arising from the partnership with Merck? 

Merck has been collaborating with GeNext Genomics for the past two years, starting from the cell line selection stage for biosimilar development. With a shared vision to support the emerging biotech industry, this partnership aims to provide comprehensive support to biotech customers, guiding them from the clone development stage all the way through to clinical phase studies.

Here is a glimpse of some of the areas that we both foresee as an outcome of this collaboration: 

• Setting up Platform Processes for Novel mAbs and Other Molecules: Through this collaboration, Merck is installing its advanced bioprocessing systems at GNG to create standardised upstream and downstream processes. This allows GNG to efficiently develop and produce monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and other therapeutic molecules, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products that meet global standards.

• Supporting Clone Development Services from India: GNG’s clone development platform is a core component of this collaboration, offering stable, high-yielding cell lines crucial for biologics development. The integration of Merck’s systems will enhance this platform, making GNG a leading provider of scalable clone development services that can support a wide array of biotech firms in India and beyond.

• Infrastructure to Support Startups from Process Development to Clinical Phase: By setting up Merck’s advanced systems at GNG, this collaboration offers biotech startups a complete infrastructure to transition seamlessly from early-stage development to clinical production. 

• Future Scale-Up and Commercial Manufacturing Development: With Merck’s extensive expertise in drug development and manufacturing, accumulated over decades, GNG is well-positioned to advance its capabilities in scaling up production and preparing for commercial manufacturing. This strategic collaboration enables GNG to explore and pursue the commercialization of its proprietary New Biological Entities (NBE) and biosimilar candidates, ensuring a robust pathway from development to market readiness.

How does this collaboration position India as a global hub for biopharmaceutical innovation, and what challenges need to be addressed to achieve this vision?

This strategic collaboration sets both Merck and GeNext Genomics apart from competitors by providing complete, end-to-end solutions that support biotech companies from research to clinical production. By leveraging Merck’s world-class expertise in biomanufacturing, GeNext Genomics is now equipped to offer comprehensive solutions that accelerate the growth of India’s biotech ecosystem. Together, we are fostering innovation and strengthening India’s position as a global leader in biopharmaceuticals. By combining our strengths, we are not only driving the future of biotech innovation in India but also creating new growth opportunities for other biotech companies in the region.

India's biopharma industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, driven by advancements in technology and the strengthening of research and manufacturing capabilities. However, despite experiencing a ten-fold growth since 2014, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive innovation ecosystem. Additionally, fostering continuous innovation and building a robust network for pandemic preparedness at both global and local levels is crucial for future advancements. India's biopharma industry holds immense growth potential, but it is essential to address the challenges that could hinder this progress. These include regulatory challenges, high manufacturing costs, limited access to advanced technologies, and talent crunch in specific areas. Moreover, integrating strategic policymaking, fostering research and innovation, and fortifying public-private partnerships are crucial to realise this potential completely and sustainably.