In May 2017, the Government of India launched the National Biopharma Mission (NBM), an ambitious initiative under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to strengthen the biopharmaceutical sector.

Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, the project was allocated a budget of Rs 1,500 crore over five years, funded equally by a loan from the government and the World Bank.

The mission, implemented by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), aims to make affordable health care a reality for millions of Indians.

Five years later, has the mission fulfilled its promises? We look at the progress made and the challenges ahead.

Ambitious goal?

The National Biopharma Mission focused on two key goals: developing new products and creating a supportive ecosystem for innovation. It worked on a range of healthcare solutions including vaccines, biosimilars, medical devices and diagnostic equipment to reduce India’s dependence on imports.

Biosimilars are drugs that are made to work the same way as existing biologic drugs but at a lower cost. For example, the Mission supported the manufacturing of liraglutide, a biosimilar used to manage diabetes, which was launched at just one-third the price of its international version.

India’s biopharma sector has undoubtedly seen progress. At an NBM Success event in August 2024, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted the country’s bio-economy growth, which has grown 13-fold in a decade, from $10 billion in 2014 to over $130 billion in 2024 .

Addressing infrastructure deficiencies

NBM focused on building infrastructure. “In the last five years, facilities for conducting vaccine trials, manufacturing clinical batches and developing diagnostic kits were set up,” Dr Raj Shirumalla, mission director of the National Biopharma Mission, told India Today Digital.

The pandemic highlighted the importance of such infrastructure, with NBM-supported laboratories contributing to COVID-19 testing and vaccine development.

However, questions remain. While the mission supported the production of more than 25 lakh RT-PCR kits during the pandemic, critics say many rural areas still lack basic diagnostic facilities.

Many start-ups and small businesses were supported. This led to over 850 new intellectual property (IP) filings and 100 technology transfers. For the first time, seven Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) were set up across India to help transform research into real-world products.

Despite these achievements, the impact on health care access at the grassroots level remains uneven. While high-end technologies like CAR-T therapy and next-generation MRI scanners were developed, their affordability and accessibility for average Indians is questionable.

For example, indigenously developed MRI scanners can reduce costs, but their accessibility in smaller health centers remains to be seen.

Success Stories: Liraglutide and Corbevax

The development of biosimilars like Liraglutide and indigenous COVID-19 vaccines like Corbevax have created milestones for NBM.

Corbevax becomes India’s first protein subunit vaccine for children aged five and above. Similarly, liraglutide biosimilar developed by Chennai-based Levim Biotech is a cost-effective option for diabetes management.

While these innovations highlight the potential of public-private collaboration, they also highlight the mission’s narrow focus on select products.

Despite the achievements of NBM, many Indians still struggle to access affordable health care. Although the Mission has reduced the cost of some biopharmaceutical products, its impact on rural and underserved areas has been limited.

Products such as the first indigenous MRI scanner by VoxelGrids Innovations and Advanced BioTherapeutics are unlikely to benefit populations without adequate health care infrastructure.

For example, indigenous diagnostic kits supported by NBM can potentially revolutionize health care in rural areas, but their availability in primary health care centers still needs improvement.

Without strong distribution networks, such innovations risk being confined to urban centres.

looking ahead

Dr. Shirumalla highlighted the need for continued progress in biomanufacturing and research. Key priorities include developing vaccines for malaria and chikungunya, tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and setting up bio-AI hubs and biomanufacturing centers to boost innovation.

However, success will depend on careful implementation and ensuring that these advances benefit marginalized communities.

a mission in progress

The National Biopharma Mission has promoted India’s biopharma sector by supporting local vaccines, diagnostics and start-ups. Although it has built a strong foundation, achieving affordable healthcare for all remains a challenge.

Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of BIRAC, told India Today Digital that the focus of the mission is not limited to supporting the development of a specific new age therapeutic product but also to create an “ecosystem to continuously develop innovative and affordable medicines.” The system has to be strengthened.”

To be successful, NBMs must address gaps in healthcare delivery and ensure equitable access to biopharma products, especially in rural areas. Its real impact will be measured not only by economic growth but also by its ability to improve lives across the country.