Union Finance Minister announced ‘Biopharma SHAKTI (Strategy for Healthcare Advancement through Knowledge, Technology & Innovation)’.

About Biopharma SHAKTI

• Objective: Develop India into a global biopharmaceutical manufacturing hub by building the ecosystem for domestic production of biologics and biosimilars.
  • Biologics are class of medicines which are made from natural and living sources like animal and plant cells, and microorganisms. These include vaccines, blood and blood components, somatic cells, gene therapy, proteins etc. 
  • Biosimilars are copies of biologics that are highly similar to biologics and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product. 
• Funding: Outlay of ₹ 10,000 crores over the next 5 years.
• Strategy: 
  • Biopharma-focused network with 3 new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) and upgrading 7 existing ones.
  • Creating a network of over 1000 accredited India Clinical Trials sites.
  • Strengthening the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to meet global standards and approval timeframes through a dedicated scientific review cadre and specialists.
• Potential Outcomes: 
  • Catalysing investments in advanced biomanufacturing infrastructure, promote innovation and enhance India’s capabilities in high-value, next-generation therapies.
  • Enhancing the quality and credibility of clinical research in India, and accelerating drug development timelines.
  • Developing a highly skilled workforce, promoting industry–academia collaboration, and supporting the growth of a globally competitive biopharmaceutical sector.