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Biosolutions

BANGALORE | INDIA

This post is also available in: English

Recent advancements in biosolutions are transforming the global life sciences sector, driving a new era of innovation and sustainability. India has now emerged as a serious key global player in the areas of biopharmaceuticals, bioagriculture, advanced fermentation technologies and bioservices.

Biosolutions 101

Biosolutions, primarily consist of biological organic products. They utilise living organisms such as enzymes, microorganisms, bacterial cultures, and pheromones for specific applications and products. These solutions are integrated into various industrial manufacturing processes and used as end-products to facilitate sustainable transformations.

Biosolutions play a crucial role in the decarbonisation of industries and can cut Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, reduce food waste and land use, boost biodiversity, and create high-paying jobs, advancing Denmark’s sustainability goals.

Why is this interesting for Denmark?

Denmark is a recognised global leader in biosolutions, with a strong legacy of applying fermentation technology to pioneer innovations across various sectors including food and beverages, construction materials, textiles, agriculture, energy production, and waste heat and carbon capture. 

India has seen significant growth as a biosolutions[1] hub due to its rich biodiversity, extensive agriculture, and strong yet cost-effective research infrastructure. Its biosolutions sector is poised for significant growth due to the demand for sustainable agriculture, efficient waste management, and innovative healthcare, supported by government and private sector initiatives. Renowned for vaccine production, India also excels in producing biofertilisers, biopesticides, probiotics, dietary supplements, enzymes, and bioethanol from agricultural residues, reducing dependency on fossil fuels.

The value of global biosolutions markets is projected to rise from 240 billion EUR in 2020 to 640 billion EUR by 2030[2]. The World Economic Forum (WEF) projects that the economic impact of biosolutions will triple by 2040, driven by rising global needs and population growth.

Therefore, there is ample opportunity for potential collaboration between India and Denmark, especially in areas like sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, biotechnology, and environmental conservation. India’s large market, growing biotech sector, and demand for sustainable solutions align well with Denmark’s expertise in green technologies, bioscience research, and innovation. Joint initiatives could lead to advancements in biofuels, waste management, food security, and healthcare, combining Denmark’s cutting-edge technologies with India’s scale and biodiversity to tackle global challenges.

How far are we?

From a policy perspective, the Indian Government’s National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2020-25[3] prioritises workforce development, a research-driven ecosystem, and commercialisation. Initiatives like the 2021 Draft R&D Policy, Production Linked Incentive Schemes, and clinical trial rules have strengthened India’s position as the ‘pharmacy of the world,’ while also encouraging significant FDI in biotech.

From the perspective of investments, India’s BioEconomy surpassed 130 billion USD in 2024, and aims for 300 billion USD by 2030. Emerging as a leading hub for bioinnovation and biomanufacturing, this sector is crucial to India’s vision of becoming a 5 trillion USD economy by 2024[4].

From the entrepreneurial perspective, India ranks among the top 12 biotechnology destinations globally. A notable life sciences innovation hub is the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) that supports biotech startups and researchers with advanced technology, funding, and mentorship to drive scientific innovation and commercialisation. India also has over 6.000 biotech start-ups, projected to exceed 10.000 by 2025. Some prominent examples are Log9 Materials (sustainable energy and filtration), Sea6 Energy (sea-plant to biomass conversion) and String Bio (sustainable food solutions). The country also leads in domestic biosimilar approvals[5]. 

From the corporate perspective, India hosts over 760 biotech companies and demonstrated significant vaccine innovation and manufacturing capabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, it is home to Biocon, one of the world’s largest statins manufacture and the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume. Danish pharma and biosolutions giants Novo Nordisk and Novonesis also have large R&D and corporate facilities in Bangalore.

From the academic perspective, India boasts a robust academic and research ecosystem with leading institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs). However, stronger academia-industry linkages are needed. Progress is evident with the launch of the first Industry-Academia Mission under the National Biopharma Mission and government-supported joint industry-academia Ph.D. programmes[6].

Let’s connect

Please reach out to Anandita Prakash at anapra@um.dk and Joel Stafford at joesta@um.dk. We offer our services to both corporates, SMEs and academic partners looking to dive further into the area of biosolutions, health and life sciences.

Sources