World of Microbiome 2026: Bengaluru Conference by Leucine Rich Bio on Precision Nutrition, Clinical Innovation, and Global Microbiome Trends

Third edition of the pioneering conference by Leucine Rich Bio to explore microbiota in health, precision nutrition, clinical innovation and global trends

Leucine Rich Bio Pvt Ltd, South Asia’s first microbiome company and the force behind the BugSpeaks brand, will host the 3rd edition of World of Microbiome 2026 on 21 August 2026 at Hotel GreenPark, Bengaluru. The one-day flagship conference will bring together clinicians, researchers, nutritionists, biotech leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and wellness professionals to advance microbiome science and its applications in preventive healthcare and precision wellness.

Building on the success of previous editions, the 2026 event will feature focused sessions on microbiota in health and wellness, intellectual property and clinical trials in the wellness domain, and precision nutrition and the microbiome. Panel discussions will examine enablers of next-generation diagnostics and therapeutics as well as microbiome trends outside India. The schedule of the event is from 10:00 am - 5:30 pm and will consist of inauguration, presentations by experts, networking sessions, and a quiz for the participants.

The list of confirmed speakers include : Dr. Debojyoti Dhar, Co-founder & Director, Leucine Rich Bio; Mr. Kumar Sankaran, Founder & CEO, BugSpeaks; Dr. Astha Agrawal; Dr. Yugandhar Reddy from Unilever India; Dr. Kiran Ambatipudi from IIT Roorkee; Dr. Lipika Sahoo; Dr. Mukul Maurya; Dt. Rohini Prasad of BugSpeaks; and other leading voices from clinical practice, industry and academia.

“World of Microbiome is not merely a conference but a platform which facilitates translation of microbiome research into clinical and wellness benefits in South Asia and beyond,” stated Dr. Debojyoti Dhar, Co-Founder & Director, Leucine Rich Bio. “As we meet in the third edition of the conference, we look forward to furthering collaborations to expedite precision nutrition, diagnostics, and healthcare through the microbiomes of our communities.” Stated Mr Kumar Sankaran, Founder and CEO, Leucine Rich Bio Pvt Ltd. Mr Prabhath Manjappa, Co-founder and CPO opined “This is a platform that enables discussion around new age science of microbiome, AI in healthcare, precision healthcare etc”.

Conducted by Leucine Rich Bio, founders of the first clinically validated gut microbiome test in South Asia named BugSpeaks, the conference aims at continuing the vision of the company to facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration and practical applications of microbiome research. Leucine Rich Bio has a decade-long legacy of working alongside over 100 clinical and 50 industrial partners in 15+ countries around the world.

About Leucine Rich Bio

Leucine Rich Bio Pvt Ltd is South Asia’s pioneering microbiome company, headquartered in Bengaluru. Its flagship brand, BugSpeaks, offers advanced microbiome testing (gut, skin and expanding panels) powered by next-generation sequencing, proprietary algorithms and curated databases. The company holds ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, NABL and NABH accreditations and has supported clinical research demonstrating the impact of microbiota-based personalised nutrition. Through initiatives such as World of Microbiome, Leucine Rich Bio advances scientific dialogue and practical applications in precision health and wellness.

Agilent and Veeda Lifesciences Launch Joint Analytical CoE to Accelerate GLP‑1 and Complex Biologics Development Services

Agilent Technologies, a global leader in analytical and laboratory solutions, today announced a strategic collaboration with Veeda Lifesciences to strengthen regulatory‑aligned analytical and bioanalytical workflows supporting biopharma development, as GLP‑1 and other complex therapeutic modalities continue to advance rapidly through global pipelines.

The collaboration brings together Agilent’s expertise in analytical workflow development with Veeda’s established bioanalytical, clinical research and regulatory capabilities, with the objective of enabling high‑quality, inspection‑ready analytical data across early development, clinical, and manufacturing stages. Together, the two organizations aim to support biopharma companies navigating increasingly complex regulatory and data expectations for next‑generation therapies.

Central to the collaboration is the establishment of a joint Center of Excellence (CoE) at Veeda’s biopharma facility in Bengaluru. Designed as a scalable analytics and regulatory‑readiness hub, the CoE will focus on the development and validation of end‑to‑end analytical workflows. The CoE will address the growing analytical demands associated with next‑generation therapies, including GLP‑1 based drugs - where sensitivity, throughput, and data integrity are critical to support regulatory confidence and program progression.

“As GLP‑1 and other complex therapies move rapidly through development, the need for robust, regulatory‑aligned analytics becomes increasingly critical,” said Nandakumar Kalathil, Country General Manager, Agilent India. “Through our collaboration with Veeda, we aim to support biopharma organizations with workflow‑driven analytical approaches that strengthen data quality, compliance, and confidence across the development lifecycle.”

“As Biopharma innovation accelerates across the region, the need for integrated, regulatory ready analytical ecosystems is becoming increasingly critical,” said Bharat Bhardwaj, Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific, Agilent Technologies. “This collaboration between Agilent and Veeda Lifesciences reflects our commitment to enabling customers with advanced, scalable solutions that support confident decision-making across the drug development lifecycle, while Asia Pacific’s role as a hub for high quality- globally relevant biopharma research.”

“Biopharma companies today require analytical capabilities that are inspection‑ready from the outset,” said Mr. Binoy Gardi, Group CEO and Managing Director, Veeda Lifesciences. “By collaborating with Agilent, we are strengthening our ability to deliver integrated, regulatory‑aligned analytical workflows that support faster decision‑making and smoother progression from early development through clinical and manufacturing stages.”

Dr. Sanjib Banerjee, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Biopharma at Veeda Lifesciences, added, “This expansion of our service portfolio establishes an advanced, technology‑driven platform for the structural analytical characterization of complex biologics—including peptides (GLP-1), monoclonal antibodies, antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) and other therapeutic proteins. Built on Veeda’s established capabilities in in depth proteomics, glycoproteomic and process‑related impurities analysis, and leveraging Agilent’s high-end Mass Spectrometry, this creates an integrated, regulatory‑aligned analytical ecosystem under one roof.”

By combining Agilent’s high-performance mass spectrometry with Veeda’s integrated bioanalytical and clinical research infrastructure, the partnership aims to extend services to sponsors across an expanding range of next-generation modalities with consistent, inspection-ready datasets. The initiative underscores Agilent and Veeda’s commitment to expand India’s high-end biopharma research infrastructure, while reinforcing India’s role as a trusted destination for advanced, globally aligned biopharma development.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global leader in analytical and clinical laboratory technologies, delivering insights and innovation that help our customers bring great science to life. Agilent’s full range of solutions includes instruments, software, services, and expertise that provide trusted answers to our customers' most challenging questions. The company generated revenue of $6.95 billion in fiscal year 2025 and employs approximately 18,000 people worldwide. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.

About Veeda Lifesciences

Veeda Lifesciences is a leading independent contract research organization (CRO) offering comprehensive clinical, preclinical and bioanalytical services to support the development of innovative, biosimilar, and generic drugs. With state-of-the-art facilities in India and a strong focus on quality, and scientific excellence, Veeda partners with global pharmaceutical and biotech companies to accelerate product development and regulatory approvals.

Agilent and C‑CAMP Expand Collaboration to Boost India’s Biopharma Research Infrastructure

Agilent Technologies, a global leader in analytical and laboratory solutions, today announced an expansion of its collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C‑CAMP), a Department of Biotechnology supported initiative. The expanded engagement broadens access to advanced analytical and mass spectrometry‑based capabilities that support life sciences and therapeutic research across India.

Through this collaboration, high‑resolution analytical platforms will be made available via C‑CAMP’s shared infrastructure, supporting applications such as biotherapeutic characterization, oligonucleotide research, and quantitative biomolecular analysis. The model Agilent Technologies, a global leader in analytical and laboratory solutions, today announced an expansion of its collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C‑CAMP), a Department of Biotechnology supported initiative. The expanded engagement broadens access to advanced analytical and mass spectrometry‑based capabilities that support life sciences and therapeutic research across India. designed to enable researchers from startups, academia and industry to access advanced analytical workflows and deep domain expertise without the need for direct capital investment in specialized instruments or facilities.

As India continues to strengthen its focus on translational research and the development of advanced therapeutics, access to high‑quality analytical infrastructure has become increasingly critical. By expanding this collaboration, Agilent and C‑CAMP aim to help reduce entry barriers and support reliable, reproducible science across the research‑to‑development continuum.

Agilent’s collaboration with C‑CAMP has played a catalytic role in advancing India’s biopharma ecosystem by enabling world‑class, regulatory‑aligned characterization of biologics and biosimilars across therapeutic applications. Building on this momentum, the expanded collaboration deepens Agilent and C‑CAMP’s shared commitment to accelerating next‑generation biotherapeutics and reinforcing India’s ambition to emerge as a globally competitive biopharma hub.

The engagement aligns with C‑CAMP’s vision towards building a connected ecosystem that supports science‑to‑impact pathways, while leveraging Agilent’s expertise in analytical workflows and technology enablement.

“India is a strategic priority for Agilent, and partnerships like this are central to how we expand access to critical scientific capabilities,” said Nandakumar Kalathil, Country General Manager, Agilent India. “Working with C‑CAMP allows a broader community of researchers to leverage advanced analytical workflows that support high‑quality, reproducible science across discovery and translational research.”

“Across Asia Pacific, we are seeing a strong shift toward collaborative, shared infrastructure models that enable broader participation in advanced scientific research,” said Bharat Bhardwaj, Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific, Agilent Technologies. “Our expanded engagement with C CAMP reflects Agilent’s commitment to building inclusive innovation ecosystems—where startups, academia, and industry can accelerate high quality research and translate science into meaningful impact.”

“Partnerships with frontier science and technology leaders such as Agilent will help C-CAMP build cutting-edge capabilities in India to support researchers and innovators across the country. In the coming years, we believe such collaborations will play a key role in enabling technology development and accelerating science-led innovation,” said Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, Director and CEO, C‑CAMP. “The engagement also aligns with C-CAMP’s vision of building a connected ecosystem that supports science-to-impact pathways, while leveraging Agilent’s expertise in analytical workflows and technology enablement.”

The expanded collaboration reflects Agilent’s continued commitment to supporting India’s life sciences landscape by enabling scalable access to advanced analytical capabilities through trusted shared platforms.

Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global leader in analytical and clinical laboratory technologies, delivering insights and innovation that help our customers bring great science to life. Agilent’s full range of solutions includes instruments, software, services, and expertise that provide trusted answers to our customers' most challenging questions. The company generated revenue of $6.95 billion in fiscal year 2025 and employs approximately 18,000 people worldwide. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.

4baseCare Partners with Bio Valley to Build India’s Next-Gen Genomics Hub in Vizag

In a significant step towards building India's Next-Generation Genomics ecosystem, Bio Valley, 4baseCare and Define Bio (P) Ltd. (Biobank) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Center of Excellence (CoE) named BioSphere dedicated to Genomics and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) at Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), Vizag.

The CoE-BioSphere shall strengthen national genomic infrastructure by enabling early and accurate diagnostics, informed therapeutic decisions, and advanced personalized treatments. By generating large-scale datasets reflecting India’s genetic diversity, along with the integration of relevant global genomic datasets, the CoE–BioSphere will support the development of Diagnostics, Risk prediction models, and therapies aligned with Indian genomic variations while maintaining international scientific benchmarks and interoperability. It also fosters structured research collaborations among Clinicians, Academic Institutions, Industry partners, and data-based Start-ups while also serving as a platform to train the Next Generation of Scientists and Entrepreneurs in data-driven research and product development

At a national level, population-scale genomic insights will contribute to evidence-based public health policy and preventive strategies, enhancing accessibility, affordability, and the long-term impact on healthcare in India.

“This collaboration with Bio Valley, 4baseCare and Define Bio represents a significant step in strengthening India’s innovation-led Biotech ecosystem at AMTZ. By bringing together advanced genomics expertise, incubation support, and translational research capabilities, we aim to accelerate the development of impactful precision medicine solutions. Partnerships like these reinforce our commitment to nurturing cutting-edge healthcare innovation from Andhra Pradesh and enabling globally relevant breakthroughs from India." - said Hitesh Goswami, CEO & Co-founder of 4baseCare

The key highlight of the initiative is the creation of a dedicated incubation center within CoE–BioSphere to nurture genomics-based startups. The center shall support emerging companies with sequencing services, access to data, and mentorship for product development. The CoE–BioSphere shall be a burgeoning hub for Genomics-driven Healthcare and Biotechnology advancements at AMTZ

“Building India's Next-Generation Genomic Ecosystem: This strategic partnership advances data-driven precision Healthcare solutions and Genomic innovation, marking a major achievement for personalized Medical solutions in India.” said - Dr. K. Suseela Branham, CEO Bio Valley.

ATGC Biotech and Luxembourg Industries Launch Semiophore™ A 50:50 Indo–Israeli JV for Global Deployment of Novel Pheromone Technologies

• Today’s licensing exchange marks a historic first: the out-licensing of Indian semiochemical technology to Israel, ushering in a new phase of bilateral scientific cooperation in sustainable, climate-smart agriculture.
• Semiophore and its JV Partner, to invest $ 10 million in registrations, marketing and upgrading its facilities. At full maturity, each product is projected to capture USD 75–100 million, supported by large-scale adoption in horticulture and broad-acre row crops.

ATGC Biotech, India’s leading innovator in pheromone and semiochemical based crop protection, based in Genome Valley, Hyderabad, today announced the formal establishment of Semiophore Ltd., a 50:50 Indo–Israeli Joint Venture (JV) with Luxembourg Industries Ltd., Israel.

The exchange of licensing agreements was held at the Valedictory Session of the First International Science & Technology (S&T) Clusters Conference in New Delhi. The announcement was made in the presence of Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the PSA, Mr. Vishal Choudhary, Office of the PSA and His Excellency Mr. Fares Saeb, Deputy Ambassador of Israel to India, , along with senior dignitaries, delegates, and international S&T cluster representatives. The JV ceremony was attended by global delegates from over 38 countries; the event marked a new chapter in Indo-Israeli collaboration on climate-smart agriculture.

The Semiophore JV is being fully financed by its partners, with a cumulative investment of USD 10 million by Semiophore, Luxembourg Industries, and ATGC Biotech towards infrastructure in India and Israel and regulatory registrations for 18 Indian-developed semiochemical and pheromone technologies across Israel, Brazil, Australia, and Africa, supported by advanced manufacturing and distribution. These 18 licensed products together address a multi-billion-dollar global market opportunity.

Under the JV agreement, ATGC will contribute IP, technology, know-how, regulatory dossiers, capex and R&D leadership, while Luxembourg invests in capex, regulatory, Marketing and manufacturing costs.

Semiophore JV marks a milestone in global pheromone technology, bringing a new class of competitive attraction and insect behavior modifying systems that use minimal pheromone chemistry enabled by advanced material-science integrated delivery platforms. These controlled-release technologies overcome decades-old limitations of pheromone pest management once scientifically proven but commercially inaccessible by providing season-long, water-free, precision point-source application that is pollinator-safe, residue-free, and capable of substantially reducing insecticide dependence while lowering CO₂e, water, and plastic footprints.

Through this Indo–Israeli partnership, 18 advanced semiochemical technologies including mating disruption, attract-and-kill, aggregation, and anti-aggregation systems will be scaled to address a multi-billion-dollar global opportunity across crops such as grapes, apples, citrus, almonds, tomatoes, cotton, corn, cabbage, cauliflower, and avocados. This collaboration establishes a new global category in sustainable, export-compliant, climate-resilient agriculture and represents a decisive shift from chemical dependence to behaviour-based, biology-led crop protection, positioning India and Israel as leaders shaping the future of environmentally responsible farming worldwide.
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Statement by H.E. Mr. Fares Saeb, Deputy Ambassador of Israel to India “Israel and India share a strong partnership in agriculture and technology. Today’s licensing exchange represents an important step toward expanding sustainable, environmentally safe crop protection. The establishment of Semiophore exemplifies the growing global relevance of Indo–Israeli innovation, and we congratulate both partners on this milestone.”

Statement by Mr. Uri Rubinstein, Agriculture Attaché, MASHAV: “ATGC Biotech has been a consistent and active participant in our training programs, Centers of Excellence, and capacity-building efforts across India. Their work aligns with our shared goal of strengthening farmer livelihoods through sustainable and innovative agricultural practices. The creation of Semiophore Ltd. represents a meaningful extension of Indo–Israel cooperation in advanced agriculture, and we look forward to continued collaboration.”

Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, said, Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, said: “DBT is pleased to note the establishment of Semiophore Ltd., the Indo–Israeli Joint Venture between ATGC Biotech and Luxembourg Industries. This milestone showcases the strength of India’s biotechnology ecosystem and demonstrates how long-term public investment in science can translate into globally deployable technologies.

Through DBT-supported programs at JNCASR and NBAIR, and with complementary support from BIRAC to ATGC Biotech, India has been able to develop advanced semiochemical and pheromone-based crop protection platforms. These innovations reflect our commitment to sustainable agriculture, reduced chemical usage, and environmentally responsible pest management.

It is particularly encouraging that, for the first time, technology developed through Indian science and supported by DBT and BIRAC will now be manufactured and distributed in Israel through the Semiophore joint venture. This represents a meaningful step in Indo–Israeli scientific collaboration and a strong example of how India’s bioeconomy is creating global impact.

Speaking on behalf of the ATGC leadership team, Prof Arjula R Reddy, Rolando Alegria CEO, Dr VB Reddy ED, Dr. Markandeya Gorantla, Chairman & Managing Director, ATGC Biotech, said: “This is a defining moment for India’s bioeconomy and for the global semiochemical industry. For the first time, Indian-developed semiochemical technologies will be manufactured and commercialized in Israel, marking a new chapter in Indo–Israeli scientific and industrial cooperation. Through Semiophore, India and Israel are jointly shaping the future of sustainable, behaviour-based crop protection with advanced material-science–enabled delivery systems that use minimal pheromone chemistry to achieve season-long performance. The JV will begin initial commercial batches in 2026 and scale to full capacity in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.

This partnership will generate high-value jobs in both countries. In Israel, it will expand opportunities in manufacturing, quality control, agronomy, and entomology while accelerating tech-driven exports. Together with Luxembourg Industries, we are creating a globally competitive platform that positions India and Israel at the forefront of sustainable, residue-free, climate-resilient agriculture.”

Mr. Moshik Fish, CEO, Luxembourg Industries & Director, Semiophore Ltd., said, The Semiophore partnership brings together India’s scientific strengths and Israel’s agricultural expertise. We are delighted to deploy India’s next-generation pheromone technologies across Israeli agriculture.

About Pheromone Technologies and Semiochemical Technology: Pheromone technologies use natural chemical signals to control pest behavior, while semiochemical technologies involve a broader range of chemical signals to influence interactions between different species for pest management. Both pheromone and semiochemical technologies offer a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to pest management by targeting specific pests without harming beneficial insects, pollinators, or the surrounding ecosystem. 

About Semiophore Ltd.: Semiophore Ltd. is a 50:50 Indo–Israeli Joint Venture formed by ATGC Biotech Pvt. Ltd. and Luxembourg Industries Ltd., dedicated to global commercialization of pheromone- and semiochemical-based crop protection technologies. 

About ATGC Biotech Pvt. Ltd.: Founded in 2011 in Genome Valley, Hyderabad, ATGC Biotech is India’s only commercial manufacturer of pheromones and a global pioneer in ultra-low-dose, bio-manufactured crop protection powered by synthetic biology, whole-cell biotransformation, and advanced material science. ATGC holds 26+ patents, collaborates across 20+ countries, and has validated its technologies across 200,000+ acres. ATGC is recognized as a case study by the World Economic Forum, PSA to PMO, Indian Academy of Sciences, USDA, DBT–BIRAC, DST, and ICAR for its contributions to climate-smart, sustainable agriculture.

ATGC is the creator of CREMIT™, the world’s first 5-gram, month-long, zero-water pheromone platform, and the pioneer of “Insect Family Planning” for precision mating disruption. The company is based in Genome Valley, Hyderabad. www.atgc.in

Leads Agri Genetics Launches India’s 1st Privately-Owned Integrated CoE for Cattle & Plant Genomics

• Leads Agri Genetics initiative is a giant leap in advancing India’s agricultural biotechnology and livestock genomics capabilities.
• The Centre of Excellence (CoE) and laboratory will have a full-stack genomics service platform designed exclusively for the agri-genomics and agricultural biotechnology sector.

Leads Agri Genetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leads Connect launched India’s first privately-owned Integrated Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Cattle and Plant Genomics Laboratory in Greater Noida. This landmark initiative is a giant leap by Leads Connect in advancing India’s agricultural biotechnology and livestock genomics capabilities. Leads Agri Genetics is also the first Indian private company to have imported the Gir embryos - genetic material from Brazil to India under Breed Improvement Program.

The new centre was inaugurated by Mr. Ghanshyam Khandelwal, Chairman, BL Agro, India’s leading FMCG brand and the holding company of Leads Connect. The Centre of Excellence (CoE) aims to catapult India at the forefront of global agri-genomics research and innovation. The newly launched Leads Agri Genetics Lab will have a full-stack genomics service platform that is designed exclusively for the agri-genomics and agricultural biotechnology sector.

Shri Ghanshyam Khandelwal, Chairman of BL Agro Group, addressed the media during the launch event, expressing his strong support for government initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of farmers. He emphasized the importance of genomics studies in enhancing agricultural productivity and yield. He said, such advancements will not only benefit the farming community but also contribute to the overall well-being of society.

Speaking on the inauguration, Navneet Ravikar, Group Chairman & Managing Director, Leads Connect Services said, “Indian agriculture is at an inflection point. Sustainability, climate challenges and pressure on higher yields are stressing the resources thin for our farmers. Our newly inaugurated Centre of Excellence for Cattle and Plant Genomics Laboratory is a landmark step towards self-reliance in agricultural biotechnology. With world-class genomic capabilities, we aim to empower India’s researchers, breeders, and farmers to innovate faster, build resilience, and create a sustainable future for agriculture.”

Leads Agri Genetics Centre of Excellence in Greater Noida

Leads Agri Genetics Centre of Excellence in Greater Noida 

Industry veteran with over two decades of experience Dr. Ashish Dubey is the Chief Business Officer of Integrated Centre of Excellence for Cattle and Plant Genomics Laboratory. Dr. Dubey, who also co-founded Redcliffe Labs, India’s fourth-largest diagnostics laboratory, is an expert in genomics projects spanning agriculture, human health, and diagnostics will strengthen the lab’s mission to advance genetic diversity research and genomic selection in cattle and crops.

“Genomics has transformed global science in the last decade, and agriculture stands to benefit immensely. At Leads Agri Genetics, our focus is on delivering end-to-end genomics solutions—from trait discovery to breeding acceleration—that directly impact productivity, sustainability, and food security,” said Dr. Ashish Dubey, CBO, Leads Agri Genetics.

Genomics has evolved over the decade exponentially due to its affordability and immense usage across the species including humans, plants and animals. After the Human Genome Project in 2003, there has been a paradigm shift in the field of research. The outcome from Genomics using Genomics selection in cattle and trait improvement in plants has been the biggest success stories with new GM Crops to BT cotton, and ultimately helping humankind for the sustainable and safer future.

By integrating world-class sequencing, genotyping, and bioinformatics, the lab empowers crop, livestock, and microbial researchers to accelerate trait discovery, breeding, and innovation with unmatched precision. The laboratory houses a cutting-edge suite of instruments including Illumina IScan for high-throughput SNP genotyping, NovaSeq for deep resequencing, PacBio and Oxford Nanopore for long-read assembly and structural variation analysis, and 10X Chromium for linked-read and single-cell assays. Together, this unique technology stack enables discovery across the full spectrum of genetic variation—from single nucleotide changes to complex structural rearrangements and haplotype phasing.

With access to multiple complementary sequencing and genotyping platforms, the Leads Agri Genetics Lab offers unmatched versatility, completeness, and customization. From comprehensive variant discovery and trait mapping to high-quality reference genome assembly and advanced transcriptomics, the lab is equipped to address challenges across crops, livestock, pests, and microbiomes—including non-model and polyploid species.

About Leads Agri-Genetics Pvt Ltd

Leads Agri-Genetics Pvt Ltd, a part of the renowned BL Agro Group, is advancing agriculture through Genetic Innovation. It is a pioneering force in agri-genomics, leveraging cutting-edge genetic research to revolutionize both animal and plant agriculture. By integrating advanced DNA sequencing, precision breeding, and data-driven genomic selection, the company aims to transform the way food is produced- ensuring higher yields, improved quality, and greater adaptability to climate change.

By bridging science and practical application, we empower farmers, agribusinesses, and research institutions to unlock the full potential of genetics in agriculture. Through continuous research, innovation, and collaboration, our company is driving a more resilient, productive, a n d sustainable agricultural future.

About Leads Connect Services

Leads Connect Services Pvt. Ltd. is a leading agri-tech, data-driven risk management, and financial services company committed to empowering rural, semi-urban, and urban economies within the agri-management ecosystem. By integrating cutting-edge technology with deep domain expertise, the company offers customized solutions spanning crop monitoring, risk analytics, and financial inclusion.

Its portfolio includes advanced agri-risk management services, such as automated identification of sowing and harvesting windows, crop phenology dynamics, acreage assessment, crop health and damage assessment, and yield modeling. The company has also developed an innovative framework to generate agri-credit scores, strengthening access to formal finance for farmers and agri-stakeholders.

Biotech Breakthrough: IIT Guwahati’s New Path to Affordable Insulin

IIT Guwahati has secured two Indian patents for a pioneering insulin production system that could dramatically reduce costs and improve accessibility for millions of diabetes patients.

What’s the Innovation?

• Developed a novel bioprocess using Pseudomonas fluorescens, a safe and efficient bacterial system.
• Unlike traditional methods using E. coli, this system yields soluble insulin, simplifying production.
• Leverages Genetic, Metabolic, and Biochemical Engineering to optimize output and safety.

Key Advantages

• Lower production costs
• Higher yield of usable insulin.
• Potential to produce other therapeutic proteins and industrial enzymes using the same system.

Patent Details

Patent No.	Application No.	Date of Grant
568947	202431045821	22 July 2025
536416	202331058235	01 May 2024

Research Team

• Prof. Veeranki Venkata Dasu (Lead)
• Ansuman Sahoo (PMRF Scholar)
• Prabir Kumar Das
• Dr. MSRC Murthy
• Prof. Sanjukta Patra

With over 537 million adults affected by diabetes worldwide, and projections showing 1 in 8 adults may have diabetes by 2050, this innovation could reshape insulin accessibility and affordability.

World's 1st FDA Approved Bioelectronic Implant for Arthritis

In a groundbreaking move, the U.S. FDA has approved the SetPoint System, the first neuroimmune modulation implant designed to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—especially for patients who haven’t responded well to traditional medications.

What It Is

• A vitamin-sized neurostimulator implanted in the neck via a minimally invasive outpatient procedure.
• Delivers 1-minute daily electrical pulses to the vagus nerve, which helps regulate inflammation and immune response.
• Patients recharge it wirelessly once a week using a collar-like neckband.

Clinical Impact

Based on the RESET-RA trial (242 patients), the device showed:

• Significant improvement in RA symptoms within 3 months.
• Sustained benefits at 12 months.
• 75% of participants were able to stop other RA medications entirely.
• Reported serious adverse events were low (~1.7%).

Why It Matters

• RA affects over 1.5 million Americans, causing chronic pain, joint damage, and disability.
• Traditional treatments like DMARDs and biologics can be costly and lose effectiveness over time.
• This implant offers a non-pharmaceutical, long-term solution—potentially lasting up to 10 years.

Bioelectronic Medicine Milestone

This marks a major leap in bioelectronic medicine, using the body’s own neural circuits to combat disease. SetPoint Medical plans a targeted U.S. rollout in late 2025, with broader availability expected in 2026.

The results of the RESET-RA study, which led to the FDA approval, are published in the journal Bioelectronic Medicine.

GVFL Leads ₹4 Crore Seed Round in Genexis Biotech to Scale Animal-Origin-Free Protein Manufacturing

GVFL, the pioneer of venture capital in India, led the Rs. 4 crore seed funding round in Vadodara-based Genexis Biotech, a next-generation bio-manufacturing company focused on animal-origin-free recombinant proteins. Benzai10 also participated in the funding round.

Founders

Genexis Biotech will utilise the capital to expand its bioreactor capacity, build downstream processing infrastructure, and launch a new line of smart proteins and recombinant peptidase enzymes. It will also use the funds to strengthen quality control, regulatory compliance, and expand its sales and distribution channels.

Speaking on the investment, Mihir Joshi, Managing Director of GVFL, said, “Genexis is solving a critical gap in India’s biotech value chain by enabling high-quality, animal-origin-free protein production at scale. The company’s R&D strength, infrastructure, and early traction position it well to serve a growing demand across biopharma, food-tech, and life sciences. We are pleased to support Genexis in this transformative journey.”

In the past 12 months, Genexis has developed a range of recombinant growth factors, peptidases, and cell culture reagents. It has established strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, biotech startups, and research laboratories. The company’s certified Class 10,000 manufacturing facility is now operational, with plans underway for a GMP-compliant unit.

Vipul Kumar, Director at Genexis Biotech, said, “At Genexis Biotech, we are building India’s deep-tech backbone for animal-origin-free protein production. The seed round marks a key milestone in our journey and will accelerate our path to scale, enabling sustainable innovation across healthcare, food, and bio-industrial sectors.”

Genexis Biotech recently introduced recombinant peptidases such as amino peptidase and enterokinase, and is preparing to launch recombinant transferrin and albumin. Genexis also signed an MoU with the Gujarat government for scaling up recombinant protein manufacturing and showcased its portfolio at Global Bio-India 2024. It has secured multiple clients and has received orders for alternative protein formulation projects.

In the next phase of growth, Genexis Biotech aims to enter the regulated biotech export market, form strategic collaborations with Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations (CDMOs), academic labs and biopharma companies. Its plans also include developing encapsulated growth factor formulations for the cosmetics industry.

About GVFL: GVFL is an Ahmedabad, Gujarat based Venture Capital Fund. With over 150+ total investments and 90+ successful exits, It has been instrumental in nurturing and scaling innovative startups across various sectors. GVFL has a diverse portfolio, investing in sectors such as agritech, healthtech, fintech, deep tech, clean tech, defense tech, enterprise tech, and consumer brands.

About Genexis Biotech: Genexis Biotech is a pioneering bio-manufacturing company developing high-quality, animal-origin-free proteins using recombinant technology and precision fermentation. With a robust in-house R&D and ISO-compliant infrastructure, the company serves key sectors like biopharma, regenerative medicine, cell culture media, and cultivated meat. Genexis aims to democratise access to safe, ethical, and scalable biomolecules while contributing to a greener and self-reliant biotech ecosystem.

Lightspeed Leads $2.7 Mn Seed for LogicFlo AI to Scale Enterprise AI in Biotech & Pharma

LogicFlo AI, a Boston-based AI platform designed specifically for the life sciences sector, has raised $2.7 million in a seed round led by Lightspeed, with participation from leading healthcare and enterprise AI investors. The funding will support LogicFlo AI’s global expansion across pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech organizations, and enable deeper deployment with global clients, including a Fortune 500 company already under contract.

Founded by Udith Vaidyanathan and Arun Ramakrishnan, the company is redefining how regulated scientific work is done by replacing fragmented tools and repetitive processes with intelligent AI agents that work under human guidance. Across regulatory affairs, medical writing, quality assurance, and medical information teams, LogicFlo AI enables experts to complete high-compliance workflows in a fraction of the time, without sacrificing accuracy or oversight.

The platform is already in production across several global life sciences companies, with early deployments showing transformative results: medical writing timelines reduced from weeks to minutes, and medical information response times cut from nearly two weeks to just two days. With growing demand and expanding agent libraries, LogicFlo AI is emerging as a foundational layer for regulated enterprises, redefining how complex scientific knowledge work is executed at scale.

Udith Vaidyanathan, LogicFlo AI's co-founder and CEO, talking about the platform said, “We are at a once-in-a-generation inflection point. For the first time, AI agents are capable enough to drive meaningful productivity gains in regulated scientific work, not just possible, but inevitable. While the rest of the world is focused on automation, instead of people, we are building automation for people. LogicFlo AI puts experts firmly at the center. The goal is to empower the brightest people in life sciences do what only they can do - drive medical science forward and help elevate the standard of care.”

“Traditional automation has failed life sciences because it's too rigid, too brittle, and too out of touch with how people actually work,” explained Arun Ramakrishnan, LogicFlo AI’s co-founder and CTO. “LogicFlo AI agents are different. They're intelligent, composable, production-ready, and they understand the nuance of scientific work."

Rohil Bagga, VP Investments, Lightspeed, said, "We're thrilled to back LogicFlo AI as they revolutionize how life sciences and biotech organizations operate. Their AI agent platform empowers medical affairs and commercial teams to build agentic workflows across diverse use cases, dramatically boosting productivity. Founders Udith and Arun combine deep domain expertise with exceptional technical acumen—we're excited to support them as they drive transformation in one of the world’s most critical industries."

With the new funding, LogicFlo AI will accelerate product development, expand integrations with life sciences systems like Veeva and IQVIA, and grow its go-to-market and technical teams to meet rising industry demand. The company's broader vision is to redefine how scientific work happens, empowering every expert with tools that match the speed and complexity of modern science.

About LogicFlo AI

LogicFlo AI is an AI agent platform purpose-built for life sciences organizations — designed to help expert teams in medical, regulatory, quality, and commercial functions execute high-stakes work faster, more accurately, and in full compliance.

Born at Harvard. Built by life sciences insiders. Backed by bleeding-edge AI. LogicFlo AI is not just building tools — it’s building a new operating model for the future of scientific work.

LogicFlo AI's agents support functions across the entire life sciences value chain: medical writing with literature-based content creation and full referencing; Medical communications and information response generation with SR documents, material for ad boards, congresses, journal articles, commercial content creation with compliant promotional materials and MLR workflow management; regulatory authoring for CTAs, INDs, and safety narratives; quality and compliance documentation including SOPs, deviation reports, and CAPAs and so on.

For more information please visit https://logicflo.ai/ or follow via LinkedIn.

Alphabet Spinout SandboxAQ, Backed by Nvidia, Unveils Synthetic Molecule Megaset to Revolutionize Drug Discovery

SandboxAQ, an AI startup spun out of Google parent Alphabet and backed by Nvidia, has announced that it has released a massive dataset of 5.2 million synthetic 3D molecules to accelerate drug discovery. These molecules don’t exist in nature—they were generated using Nvidia’s chips and grounded in real-world experimental data to simulate how drugs bind to proteins, a critical step in developing effective treatments.

This synthetic dataset, called the Structurally Augmented IC50 Repository (SAIR), is publicly available and designed to train AI models that can predict drug-protein interactions far faster than traditional lab methods. The goal? To virtually replicate lab results with high accuracy, potentially compressing months of research into a single AI-driven prediction.

It’s a bold move that blends physics-based modeling with machine learning—an approach that could reshape how we think about early-stage pharmaceutical R&D. And with SandboxAQ planning to monetize its own trained models, it’s also a glimpse into the future of AI-powered biotech platforms.

While the dataset is public, SandboxAQ plans to monetize its proprietary AI models trained on it—essentially offering virtual labs as a service.

Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, right in the heart of Silicon Valley, SandboxAQ is a fascinating fusion of quantum tech and AI muscle. It emerged from Alphabet’s moonshot factory and is backed by Nvidia, with nearly $1 billion in venture capital fueling its ambitions.

SandboxAQ's signature tech is Large Quantitative Models, the AI systems grounded in the laws of physics, chemistry, and biology. These aren’t just data-driven models; they simulate the real world with scientific rigor. Think of it as a tireless digital researcher. This tool autonomously explores millions of chemical pathways, helping discover novel molecules far beyond human capacity.

Beyond drug discovery, SandboxAQ is tackling – 1) Cybersecurity: Detecting cryptographic vulnerabilities; 2) Navigation: Enhancing precision in GPS-denied environments. 3) Medical Diagnostics: Using AI to analyze cardiac signals. 4)Materials Science: Predicting atomic-level properties for breakthrough materials.

SandboxAQ was founded by Jack Hidary, a tech entrepreneur with a deep background in quantum computing and neuroscience. He previously led a quantum initiative at Alphabet before spinning it out as SandboxAQ in 2022. Hidary studied philosophy and neuroscience at Columbia University and has authored a well-regarded book on quantum computing.

While Hidary is the primary founder and CEO, the company’s early development was also shaped by influential figures like Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, who serves as Chairman of the Board.

Breakthrough: Newly Discovered Algae Might Cut Fertilizer Use Forever

Imagine plants are like hungry children who need a special ingredient—nitrogen—to grow strong. Normally, they get it from fertilizers, which farmers add to the soil. But scientists just found a tiny algae in the ocean that can make its own nitrogen, without needing fertilizer!

This algae has a tiny helper inside it called a nitroplast—kind of like a built-in kitchen where it cooks up nitrogen from the air. This is a big deal because, until now, scientists thought only bacteria could do this trick.

Why does this matter? Well, if we can use this discovery to engineer crops that do the same, farmers may no longer need to use as many fertilizers. That means cheaper farming, less pollution, and healthier soils—all thanks to this little ocean algae working its magic.

To an uninitiated, the Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into a biologically usable form, such as ammonia (NH₃). Even though nitrogen makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere, plants can't absorb it directly. Instead, they rely on nitrogen-fixing organisms—like bacteria in soil or, as recent research suggests, certain algae—to transform nitrogen into compounds they can use for growth.

This process is crucial because nitrogen is a key nutrient for plants, directly influencing their ability to produce proteins, enzymes, and chlorophyll. Without nitrogen fixation, ecosystems would struggle to sustain life, and farmers would be far more dependent on synthetic fertilizers, which can contribute to environmental issues like soil degradation and water pollution.

In a latest this month, researchers have discovered a marine alga, Braarudosphaera bigelowii, that can fix nitrogen thanks to a newly identified organelle called a nitroplast. This is groundbreaking because, until now, nitrogen fixation was thought to be exclusive to bacteria and archaea.

 

Braarudosphaera

The nitroplast evolved from a symbiotic bacterium that started living inside the alga about 100 million years ago. Over time, it became an integral part of the algal cell, allowing it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia-a process crucial for plant growth.

Over time, this bacterium became an integral part of the algal cell, functioning as an organelle rather than a separate organism. The nitroplast converts atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into ammonia (NH₃), a crucial nutrient for plant growth.

How It Was Identified

Researchers used soft X-ray tomography to observe the nitroplast’s behavior during cell division, confirming that it divides in sync with other organelles.

Genetic analysis revealed that the nitroplast relies on proteins from the host alga, further supporting its classification as an organelle rather than a free-living symbiont.

This discovery could pave the way for genetically engineered crops that require little to no fertilizer, reducing environmental impact and agricultural costs.

The discovery of nitrogen-fixing algae opens up exciting possibilities—potentially reducing the need for artificial fertilizers while promoting sustainable agriculture.

BioTech Startup CrisprBits Develops Platform for CRISPR-based Diagnostics for Early Detection of Antibiotic Resistance

This new CRISPR-based platform combats antibiotic resistance in hospital-acquired infections by delivering results within two hours, enabling faster and targeted treatment for patients

Bengaluru-based biotechnology startup CrisprBits Private Limited, has developed PathCrisp, a platform for CRISPR-based molecular diagnostics for early detection of antibiotic resistance in hospital-acquired infections.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health challenge, requiring early and accurate detection of resistance markers in hospital-acquired infections, particularly in ICU settings. A recent analysis in The Lancet found that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) contributed to nearly 4.7 million deaths globally in 2021, with over a million directly caused by resistant infections. India alone has reported over a million AMR associated deaths in 2019.

Carbapenems, a class of antibiotics, often serve as the last line of defense against multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections. However, New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase(NDM) driven carbapenem resistance is a major concern in hospitals across India, contributing significantly to the antimicrobial resistance burden. This enzyme enables bacteria to break down carbapenems and other beta-lactam antibiotics, severely limiting treatment options and posing a significant challenge in clinical settings.

CrisprBits' latest study, published in Nature Scientific Reports, showcases PathCrisp’s ability to detect carbapenem resistance in bacterial samples from patients. In the study, the PathCrisp platform was used to test the presence or absence of NDM in DNA isolated from 49 clinical bacterial samples. The data showed 100% concordance with other techniques used as the gold standard (PCR-Sanger sequencing) for the same. The study was a collaborative research between CrisprBits, with Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher learning, Puttaparthi, and Asoka University, NCR region.

Commenting on the platform, Dr. Reety Arora, Principal Scientist at CrisprBits and corresponding author of the study, said,

With the growing need for rapid AMR detection, PathCrisp emerges as a reliable molecular diagnostic tool for clinical applications PathCrisp offers a fast and accurate alternative to traditional methods, leveraging CRISPR-Cas technology for unparalleled precision and instrument-light adaptability making it well suited for point of care diagnostics. The test provides an end-to-end solution, delivering results within two hours. It operates at a constant temperature, eliminating the need for a thermocycler, and works directly on various samples, including bacterial cultures.

“The rising burden of carbapenem-resistant infections is driving up healthcare costs, prolonging hospital stays, and increasing ICU admissions and mortality. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as bacterial culture and PCR-based testing, can take 24–72 hours, delaying critical treatment decisions. In this scenario, a rapid and highly accurate test like PathCrisp, developed by CrisprBits, can enable direct detection from clinical samples without expensive equipment or prolonged culture processes, ensuring early recognition and targeted therapy. It is an exciting development with the potential to change clinical practice.” says Dr. Ramakrishna Prasad, Global Medical Director, Swasti & Co-Chair, WONCA SouthAsia Region - Research, a leading medical expert in infectious disease in Bangalore.

“The simple workflow of PathCrisp makes it highly versatile, with potential applications across healthcare, one-health, and surveillance settings. As the platform continues to evolve, it is poised to become a robust point-of-care diagnostic tool” notes Vandana Hegde, Head of Business Development at CrisprBits.

Future R&D efforts will focus on adapting PathCrisp for low-resource settings by developing lyophilized reagents for room-temperature stability. Additionally, smart engineering approaches will be explored to create a multiplexed version, expanding its diagnostic capabilities.

CrisprBits Pvt Ltd is one of the first Indian CRISPR based companies developing high-quality and affordable One Health solutions in diagnostics and gene editing. Founded and mentored by five distinguished alumni of BITS Pilani, Prof. Vijay Chandru, Sunil Arora, Prof. Rajeev Kohli, Bharat Jobanputra, and Aditya Sarda, the NCR headquartered CRISPRBITS operates a 7800 sqft state-of-the-art facility in Bangalore, for CRISPR R&D and prototype development.

CrisprBits operates under three key principles: using deep science to deliver high quality products; adhering to the highest ethical standards, including in the choice of products they offer; and developing an organization that draws exceptional individuals with diverse backgrounds and affinities.

Website: CrisprBits

Accenture Invests in Sam Altman and Y Combinator Backed BioTech Startup 1910 Genetics

Accenture has invested in 1910 Genetics, a biotechnology startup backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Y Combinator. This investment aims to revolutionize drug discovery using Al-driven solutions.

Terms of the investment were not disclosed.

For an Al-driven drug discovery, 1910 Genetics uses its proprietory multimodal Al platform called Input-Transform-Output (ITOTM) to enhance drug discovery for both small and large molecule therapies. This platform integrates hundreds of Al models and employs federated learning to optimize molecule design and target identification.

The Accenture–1910 collaboration aims to provide biopharma clients with a powerful Al platform that streamlines the drug discovery process, reduces costs, and improves patient outcomes.

Launched in 2021, the biotech startup, 1910 Genetics, is backed by leading investors including M12 - Microsoft’s Venture Fund, Playground Global, Sam Altman, Y Combinator, FoundersX Ventures, and Scientia Ventures.

The biotech company recently launched CANDID-CNS™, an AI model for predicting blood-brain barrier permeability, which outperforms the industry standard[

The goal of the investment by Accenture is to collaborate with 1910 Genetics wherein Accenture brings its AI and enterprise scalability expertise to the table, while the biotech startup contributes its comprehensive AI platform. Together, they aim to drive innovation in drug discovery and therapeutic development.

Key figures from both companies will join advisory boards, and 1910 Genetics will join Accenture Ventures’ Project Spotlight for emerging technologies. Dr. Petra Jantzer and Tom Lounibos will join the Business Advisory Board of 1910, and Dr. Kailash Swarna, a managing director in Life Sciences at Accenture, and Dr. Cecil Lynch, Biomedical Informatics lead at Accenture, will join the Technology Advisory Board of 1910.

This partnership is expected to significantly impact the biopharma industry by enhancing efficiency and accelerating the development of new therapies.

The global drug discovery market is projected to reach USD 76.5 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.5% from 2023 to 2033. North America currently dominates the market, but Asia-Pacific is expected to see significant growth due to increasing investments in R&D and the expansion of the pharmaceutical industry.

It may be recalled that, in middle of this year, a CNBC report said that the AI-powered healthcare field is on a path that will see medicines completely generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the near future.

In addition to 1910 Genetics, Accenture has made several other strategic investments and collaborations in the drug discovery space. In August, Accenture announced it has invested in Ocean Genomics to accelerate Al-driven drug discovery and the development of personalized medicines. Ocean Genomics uses advanced computational platforms to assist biopharma companies in discovering and developing more effective diagnostics and Therapeutics.

Accenture has partnered with Exscientia, a leading AI-driven drug discovery company, to leverage its AI platform for accelerating the discovery of new therapeutic compounds. Further, Accenture also collaborated with Schrödinger to enhance its computational platform for drug discovery. Schrödinger's platform integrates physics-based computational software to design novel molecules with improved accuracy.

DBT and ISRO to Work Together on Space Biotech, Space BioManufacturing, & BioAstronautics

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on space biotechnology, space bio-manufacturing, and bioastronautics. This collaboration aims to integrate biotechnology with space technology, fostering innovation in human health research, novel pharmaceuticals, biotherapeutics, regenerative medicine, and bio-based technologies for efficient waste management.

The partnership will focus on microgravity experiments, including the impact of microgravity on edible algae, the growth of cyanobacteria with urea in space, and research on supplements to prevent muscle loss in microgravity. These experiments are part of the upcoming Axiom-4 mission and the Gaganyaan mission, India's first crewed space mission.

This collaboration is expected to spur innovation and development in the fields of human health research, bio-manufacturing, and bioastronautics, benefiting both national space programs and societal applications.

India is set to establish its own space station, named Bharatiya Antariksh Station, by 2035. This ambitious project was announced by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, following a this MoU between ISRO and the DBT, to integrate biotechnology with space technology, fostering a new era of scientific innovation.

The BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy is another key initiative outlined in the MoU. This policy aims to foster high-performance biomanufacturing in the country, with a goal of reaching a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030.

@DBTIndia and @isro signed the #MoU to work
together on Space Biotechnology, Space Biomanufacturing, & Bioastronautics. Together we are dedicated to achieve remarkable advancements in finding sustainable solutions. #InnovationCollaboration @DrJitendraSingh @rajesh_gokhale pic.twitter.com/HySYxQF1RB

— Department of Biotechnology (@DBTIndia) October 30, 2024

Govt Approves ‘Bio-RIDE’ Scheme for Cutting-Edge R&D in BioTech, BioManufacturing and BioFoundry

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) scheme to support cutting-edge research and development in biotechnology.

This scheme merges two existing umbrella schemes of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and introduces a new component focused on – biomanufacturing and biofoundry.

The scheme has three broad components:

1. Biotechnology Research and Development (R&D)
2. Industrial & Entrepreneurship Development (I&ED) 
3. Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry

The scheme has a proposed outlay of ₹9,197 crore (approximately US $1.1 billion) for the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. It aims to position India as a global leader in biomanufacturing and biotechnology, addressing national and global challenges in healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and clean energy.

This scheme is announced within a month after the Union Cabinet has approved the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy, in late last month, to foster High Performance Bio-manufacturing.

Key highlights of the Bio-RIDE scheme include:

Promoting Bio-Entrepreneurship: Providing seed funding, incubation support, and mentorship to bio-entrepreneurs.

Advancing Innovation: Offering grants and incentives for research in areas like synthetic biology, biopharmaceuticals, bioenergy, and bioplastics.

Facilitating Industry-Academia Collaboration: Creating synergies between academic institutions, research organizations, and industry to accelerate commercialization of bio-based products¹.

Encouraging Sustainable Biomanufacturing: Focusing on environmentally sustainable practices in biomanufacturing.

Supporting Researchers: Providing extramural funding to research institutions, universities, and individual researchers in diverse fields of biotechnology.

Nurturing Human Resources: Offering holistic development and support to students, young researchers, and scientists in biotechnology.

The biofoundry component of the Bio-RIDE scheme is designed to advance biomanufacturing capabilities in India.

Under Biofoundry, Government will establish state-of-the-art biofoundries that integrate advanced technologies like synthetic biology, automation, and data analytics to streamline the design, build, test, and learn (DBTL) cycle in biotechnology.

Establishing state-of-the-art biofoundries that integrate advanced technologies like synthetic biology, automation, and data analytics to streamline the design, build, test, and learn (DBTL) cycle in biotechnology.

A biofoundry is a facility that combines biology, engineering, and chemical biology systems with automation and other technologies to accelerate scientific discovery. Biofoundries can help scientists perform synthetic biology experiments on a large scale, which can lead to new solutions for environmental, health, and manufacturing challenges.

The DBT’s ongoing efforts align with its vision of harnessing the potential of Biotechnology as a precision tool for national development and well-being of society to fulfill its mission to make India globally competitive in Biotechnology research, innovation, translation, entrepreneurship, and industrial growth and be a US$300 billion Bioeconomy by 2030. The Bio-RIDE Scheme will contribute significantly towards realizing the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.

BIRAC and USISPF Partner for Cooperation Between Biotech and Health Tech Co.s, Organizations, and Institutions Across US & India

The BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council), a public sector enterprise established by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) India and Department of Science & Technology (DST) has announced the signing of a letter of intent to collaborate with USISPF (US-India Strategic Partnership Forum) to foster innovation & partnerships between biotech and health tech companies, organizations, and institutions across the US and India.

This collaboration aims to enhance innovation and development in the biotech and health tech sectors by leveraging the strengths and resources of both countries.

The signing ceremony took place in the august presence of Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, DBT, Shri Ajay Sood (IISc), Office of Principal Scientific Advisor, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, and Smt. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson and Founder of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics Ltd.

This partnership will aim to facilitate the exchange of best practices and develop coordinated support measures to enhance the growth of the innovation ecosystem.

The focus will be on fostering knowledge transfer and innovation cooperation between biotech and health tech companies, organizations, and institutions across both

Earlier this month, USISPF announced and hold the 3rd edition of its defence summit — the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)— in the US to strengthen advanced technology partnerships in defence innovation between the two countries.

Formed in 2017, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the strategic and economic partnership between the United States and India. It focuses on promoting bilateral trade and investment, fostering innovation, and enhancing collaboration across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and energy.

Cabinet Approves BioE3 Policy to Foster High Performance Bio-Manufacturing

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy.

The BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) is a landmark initiative that will foster High Performance Bio-manufacturing. This will also encourage scientific, industrial and societal advancements in the times to come. Other benefits include environmental preservation and employment creation.

High performance biomanufacturing is the ability to produce products from medicine to materials, address farming and food challenges, and promote manufacturing of bio-based products through integration of advanced biotechnological processes.

Here are the key points of BioE Policy:

1. Innovation-Driven Support: The policy focuses on innovation-driven support for research and development (R&D) and entrepreneurship across thematic sectors.

2. Accelerating Technology Development: It aims to accelerate technology development and commercialization by establishing Biomanufacturing & Bio-AI hubs and Biofoundry

3. Regenerative Bioeconomy: The policy prioritizes regenerative bioeconomy models for green growth, expanding India's skilled workforce, and creating jobs.

4. Strategic Sectors: BioE3 will address national priorities in sectors such as high-value bio-based chemicals, biopolymers, enzymes, smart proteins, functional foods, precision biotherapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, carbon capture, marine research, and space research.

This policy sets India on the path of accelerated 'Green Growth' by promoting a 'Circular Bioeconomy.' It envisions a sustainable, innovative future for Viksit Bharat.

Overall, this Policy will further strengthen Government’s initiatives such as ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy & ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ and will steer India on the path of accelerated ‘Green Growth’ by promoting ‘Circular Bioeconomy’. The BioE3 Policy will foster and advance future that is more sustainable, innovative, and responsive to global challenges and lays down the Bio-vision for Viksit Bharat.

Accenture Invests in Dr. Sam Gambhir Co-Founded Earli to Expand Collabs with Global Health, Pharma Co.s

On August 19, 2024, Accenture announced a strategic investment in Earli Inc. through Accenture Ventures. Earli Inc. is a biotechnology company that has developed a novel approach, "Synthetic Biopsies", for early cancer detection using a synthetic targeting platform. This platform selectively reprograms cancer cells to reveal and destroy themselves, enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of cancer detection.

This investment aims to support Earli's collaborations with global health and pharmaceutical companies, enabling more rapid and accurate cancer detection and treatment. The synthetic biopsy method developed by Earli is expected to significantly improve the precision and efficacy of new treatments and diagnostics.

Earli Inc. was founded in 2018, by Cyriac Roeding, David Suhy, and Dr. Sanjiv 'Sam' Gambhir. The company focuses on developing innovative technologies for early cancer detection.

Earli Inc. has attracted investments from several notable companies and venture capital firms. Some of the key investors include Khosla Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Perceptive Advisors, Casdin Capital, Sands Capital and Breyer Capital, among others.

The idea for Earli Inc.‘s early cancer detection technology stemmed from the founders’ combined expertise and personal motivations.

Earli's co-founder include Dr. Sanjiv 'Sam' Gambhir, who was a renowned physician-scientist and a pioneer in molecular imaging and early cancer detection. Born on November 23, 1962, in Ambala, Haryana, India, he moved to the United States with his family in 1969.

Dr. Sanjiv 'Sam' Gambhir

Dr. Gambhir held several prestigious positions at Stanford University, including the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor in Cancer Research, Chairman of the Department of Radiology, and Director of the Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS). He was instrumental in advancing techniques for molecular imaging, particularly positron emission tomography (PET), which helps detect early signs of disease, especially cancer.

Throughout his career, Dr. Gambhir authored over 680 publications and held more than 40 patents. He was also a mentor to over 150 post-doctoral fellows and graduate students. Sadly, he passed away on July 18, 2020, due to cancer

Cyriac Roeding is a CEO/co-founder of Earli Inc and has a background in entrepreneurship and technology. Roeding was driven by the potential to make a significant impact on healthcare through innovative solutions. “Accenture’s impressive network of biopharma clients will be very impactful for Earli. It is fantastic to have Accenture support our mission to make cancer a benign experience," said Roeding, on Accenture's investment in his company.

While the other co-founder, David Suhy, is a scientist with extensive experience in gene therapy, Suhy brought a deep understanding of the biological mechanisms that could be leveraged for early cancer detection.

Earli’s mission is to transform cancer into a benign experience by solving one of the most difficult challenges in oncology: reliably distinguishing between healthy and cancerous cells.

Earli’s approach uses programmable genetic constructs that react and signal the presence of active cancer cells at an early stage. The synthetic biopsy approach enhances the sensitivity and specificity of cancer detection for an earlier diagnosis, allowing pharmaceutical and biotech companies to create personalized treatments more quickly and often at a lower cost.

Petra Jantzer, Ph.D., a senior managing director and global lead of the Accenture Life Sciences business, said, “Earli’s synthetic biopsy method is a step change in early cancer detection technologies and will offer significant advantages to biopharma companies by improving the precision and efficacy of new treatments and diagnostics, as well as in understanding the mechanisms of cancer progressions.”

Earli is the latest company to join Accenture Ventures’ Project Spotlight, an engagement and investment program working with companies that create or apply disruptive enterprise technologies. Project Spotlight offers extensive access to Accenture’s domain expertise and its enterprise clients, helping startups harness creativity and deliver on the promise of their technology. Additional biotechnology companies that have joined Project Spotlight include Turbine, QuantHealth, Virtonomy and Ocean Genomics.

Biotech Pioneer Genentech and NVIDIA Join Hands for Drug Discovery Using Generative AI

• Genentech and NVIDIA Enter Into Strategic AI Research Collaboration to Accelerate Drug Discovery and Development
• Collaboration leverages expertise in artificial intelligence from Genentech and NVIDIA to unlock scientific innovation and empower R&D at a scale previously unattainable in pursuit of novel therapies.
• Multi-year research effort aims to optimize and accelerate each company’s platforms and create innovations that could be applied in healthcare and beyond

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), on Tuesday, announced a multi-year strategic research collaboration with NVIDIA that couples Genentech’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, extensive biological and molecular datasets, and research expertise with NVIDIA’s world-leading accelerated computing capabilities and AI to speed up drug discovery and development. The collaboration is designed to significantly enhance Genentech’s advanced AI research programs by transforming its generative AI models and algorithms into a next-generation AI platform, expediting the discovery and delivery of novel therapies and medicines to people.

The companies will join forces to accelerate and optimize Genentech’s proprietary machine learning (ML) algorithms and models on NVIDIA DGX Cloud, which provides a training-as-a-service platform built on dedicated NVIDIA AI supercomputing and software, including NVIDIA BioNemo for generative AI applications in drug discovery.

NVIDIA will share its computing expertise with Genentech’s teams of computational scientists with the goal of optimizing and scaling Genentech’s models, and in that process, may improve or enhance NVIDIA’s platforms.

“By harnessing the power of AI models and algorithms, with our unique data and experiments, we're unlocking scientific discoveries with incredible speed and generating insights at an unprecedented scale,” said Aviv Regev, EVP and head of Genentech Research and Early Development (gRED). “Bringing science and technology together has always been a foundation of biomedical breakthroughs at Genentech. We are thrilled to join forces with NVIDIA to further optimize our drug discovery and development to deliver treatments that transform people’s lives.”

“The greatest impact of generative AI is to revolutionize the life science and healthcare industry,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “Our collaboration to create Genentech’s next-generation AI platform will dramatically accelerate the pace of drug discovery and development.”

The collaboration with NVIDIA complements Genentech’s AI/ML teams, which are developing and leveraging AI and ML foundational models across numerous research areas including diverse therapeutic modalities. Genentech scientists aim to glean new insights for target and drug discovery and to answer fundamental questions about human biology and disease.

The collaboration will also help accelerate Genentech’s “lab in a loop”, where extensive experimental data feeds computational models that uncover patterns and make new, experimentally testable predictions. Scientists quickly assess these predictions in the lab and the results are fed back into the models to improve the underlying computational model, allowing for iterative development of better therapies.

Activities will leverage publicly available and Genentech-proprietary data. Genentech will control the sharing of its proprietary data and NVIDIA will not have direct access to Genentech’s proprietary data unless granted by Genentech for use in a particular project during the term of that project.

Drug discovery and development is currently a lengthy, complicated, and uncertain process. Targets for novel medicines are difficult to predict, as is successfully developing a molecule as a potential therapeutic. Genentech believes that AI plays an invaluable role in revolutionizing drug development, in combination with people, science and technology, helping make it more predictable and cost-effective, boosting the success rate of R&D over the long term, and ultimately helping discover and design therapeutics to improve people’s lives.

About Genentech

Founded more than 45 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.