Snapshot
India - a biotech growth catalyst
India is among the top 12 destinations for biotechnology globally and 3rd largest biotechnology destination in the Asia Pacific region. In 2020, the Biotech industry reached a market size of $ 70.2 Bn, rising 12.3% from the previous year. The bioeconomy has observed almost a 95% increase in valuation over the period of five years, with the COVID-19 pandemic boosting it even further. The BioEconomy’s contribution to the national GDP has also grown steadily in the past years. While the BioEconomy contributed to 1.7% of the GDP, this share has grown to 2.7% in 2020.The sector is also making an increasing contribution towards national GDP and is a key part of India’s vision of reaching a $ 5 Trillion Economy by 2024.
India’s Biotech sector is categorised into Biopharmaceuticals, BioIndustrial, Bioagriculture, BioIT & BioServices. Within the biopharmaceuticals segment, India has developed into a prominent vaccine manufacturer globally, occupying a leading position in the supply DPT, BCG, and measles vaccines among others. India also leads in biosimilars, with one of the most biosimilars approved in the domestic market. It is estimated that the biosimilars industry in India will grow at CAGR of 22% to become $ 12 Bn by 2025. Within bio-services, India offers a strong capability in contract manufacturing, research and clinical trials, and is home to the most US FDA approved plants globally outside of the US.
The biotech industry in India comprises over 5,000 companies (760 core companies and 4,240 start-ups)6 and is home to a strong skilled resource pool due to the high number of science and technology graduates. India is also ranked #1 Global Innovation Index amongst Central & Southern Asia region.
- Forecast to reach $150 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 16.4%
- 12.3% year on year growth ((FY19 to FY20)
- Over 5075+ biotech startups, expected to reach 10,000 by 2025
- 760+ core biotech companies, 200+ Biotech products
- 38.1% CAGR for Biotech startup growth over last seven Years.
- 1Mn+ skilled biotech workforce
100% FDI is allowed under the automatic route for greenfield pharma.
100% FDI is allowed under the government route for brownfield pharma in upto 74% FDI is under automatic route and beyond 74% is under the government approval route.
FDI up to 100% is allowed under the automatic route for the manufacturing of medical devices.
For further details, please refer FDI Policy
Biotechnology Parks
- xGrowth
Over the last decade
- +
Bio-incubators
- %
Expected CAGR (2022-2025)
Leading global vaccine producer
World's largest producer of BT Cotton
World's highest number of USFDA approved plants outside the US.
- Industry Scenario
- FOREIGN INVESTMENT
- INDUSTRY TRENDS
- POLICIES & SCHEMES
Industry Scenario
The Indian Biotechnology industry that was valued at $70.2 bn in 2020 will reach $150 bn target by 2025.
The sector is poised for growth, fuelled by rising demand at both a domestic and global level. Domestic demand increases are fuelled by programmes such as Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest government-sponsored healthcare insurance scheme, while overseas demand for Indian vaccines and biopharmaceuticals grows remains strong. India exports vaccines to over 150 countries and is a leading destination for contract manufacturing and clinical trials.
India is also one of the first countries to have a department dedicated to the Biotechnology industry. Moreover, the Department has also set up BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) which is a not-for-profit agency to strengthen and empower emerging Biotechnology enterprises to undertake strategic research and innovation, by handholding them from ideation to the commercialization of their products/ technologies.
The percentage share of the biotechnology segments is:
• Vaccine – 17.8%
• BioIT/Healthcare Research – 15%
• COVID Bioeconomy – 7.8%
• Diagnostics/Medical Devices – 25.6%
• BT Cotton – 14.4%
• Biofertilizers/Biopesticides – 1.4%
• Enzyme – 3.7%
• Biofuels- 3.6%
• Biologics/Therapeutics – 10.7%
GROWTH DRIVERS
Growing population
India to become the world’s most populous country by 2027
Rising public health expenditure
Government expenditure on healthcare up to 2.1% of GDP in FY21-22 from 1.3% in FY16, with a target of 2.5% of the country's GDP by 2025
Capacity building initiatives
Bolstered by the ‘National Biopharma Mission’, an Industry-Academia mission to skill the workforce
National Biomedical Resource Indigenisation Consortium
Enabling India to become a net exporter of affordable diagnostics and testing kits, personal protection equipment (PPE) kits and vaccines through policy, funding and removal of infrastructure and regulatory bottlenecks.
Government acting as an enabler to improve EoDB
Critical Policy initiatives such as 'Make in India’, ‘Startup India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ (boosting domestic manufacturing capacity).

