Government approves National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-2020

The Strategy aims to establish India as a world-class bio-manufacturing hub.
The envisaged mission is:
•Provide impetus to utilising the knowledge and tools to the advantage of Humanity•Launch a major well directed mission backed with significant investment for generation of new Biotech Products•Empower scientifically and technologically India’s incomparable Human Resource •Create a strong Infrastructure for R&D and Commercialisation•Establish India as a world class Bio-manufacturing Hub

The Key elements of the Strategy are:
•Building a Skilled Workforce and  Leadership•Revitalizing the knowledge environment at par with the growing bio-economy•Enhance Research opportunities in basic, disciplinary and inter-disciplinary sciences•Encourage use-inspired discovery research•Focus on biotechnology tools for inclusive development•Nurturing innovation, translational capacity and entrepreneurship•Ensuring a transparent,  efficient and globally best Regulatory system and communication strategy•Biotechnology cooperation- Fostering global and national alliances•Strengthen Institutional Capacity with redesigned governance models •Create a matrix of measurement of processes as well as outcome

What is Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products, or "any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use".

Status of Biotechnology Industry in India
- Third biggest biotech industry in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Second highest number of USFDA–approved plants.
- USD 3.7 Billion to be spent on biotechnology from 2012-17.
- No. 1 producer of Hepatitis B vaccine recombinant.
- USD 100 Billion industry by 2025.

FDI Policy in Biotechnology
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100% is permitted through the automatic route for Greenfield and through the government route for brownfield, for pharmaceuticals.

Agencies of Biotechnology in India
- Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India
- Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology,Government of India
- Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
- Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises
- Confederation of Indian Industry
- Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry