Biotech sector steadily growing with over 1,100 startups in the last year: K. VijayRaghavan

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:41:00 +0000

K. Vijay Raghavan, former director of National Centre for Biological Sciences, in conversation with Jacob Koshy, Science Editor, The Hindu at the Biotech Conclave 2026 in Chennai on Friday.
| Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj

Quality of education, regulatory frameworks governing the biotechnology sector, economic factors, global competition and the potential of AI to democratise spaces were some of the many topics discussed in a wide-ranging conversation at the Biotech Conclave 2026, presented by VIT Chennai in association with The Hindu, on Friday (September 11, 2026).

Former principal scientific advisor to the Union government K. VijayRaghavan, who has worked with the National Centre for Biological Sciences and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, in conversation with Jacob Koshy, Science Editor, The Hindu, highlighted the importance of fundamental research — despite potential arguments that it was openly available from all over world — still being essential to invest in as today’s technologies could not simply be imported without understanding, and that the development of science and curiosity in our context was crucial.

Need for contextual regulation

On the regulatory frameworks in India, he noted that a lot of regulatory principles, till recently, were drawn from the West and there was an assumption that the more regulations there were, the better it was. But this resulted in only companies with deep pockets being able to jump through hoops, while a lot of innovation got thrown out. A deep understanding, he said, was needed for contextual regulation.

On the new innovations and startup space in biotechnology, Prof. VijayRaghavan said that the sector was growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12-13% or more, with over 1,100 startups started in the last year. But the challenge for small players today is that this is an extremely competitive space, he said. Even the stable, bigger companies are under threat, he said, because of the advent of new science, robotics and AI. This is a warning call for Indian biotechnology companies, he said, to invest in a fundamental connect between academia, global academia and translation.

On AI’s role

While AI was a democratising factor in some ways in terms of allowing experiments that could once only be conducted in the lab to be conducted on tabletops now and offered great potential, this also presented regulatory challenges and threats, he noted.

Prof. VijayRaghavan also stressed that the issue of quality education at scale in India needed to be urgently addressed. He recalled the suggestion to make the fourth year in undergraduate courses into internships in academia or industry to enable students to be ready. Otherwise, he cautioned, students would be in a serious crisis in a rapidly-changing world.

Published – September 11, 2026 08:08 pm IST

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VIT Chennai – The Hindu Biotech Conclave to throw spotlight on opportunities shaping the future of life sciences

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 20:39:00 +0000

The VIT Chennai–The Hindu Biotech Conclave 2026, to be held in Chennai today, will bring together leading experts, industry leaders and academicians for a one-day dialogue on the growing role of biotechnology in shaping the future. Conceived as a student-centric platform, the conclave seeks to introduce higher secondary students, undergraduates, researchers and biotechnology aspirants to the opportunities, challenges and real-world impact of biotechnology.

The conclave will be inaugurated by Suchitra Ella, co-founder and managing director of Bharat Biotech, and CII-president designate. The programme will be presided over by G. Viswanathan, founder and chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT). G. V. Selvam, Vice-President, VIT, will deliver the special address.

Speaking about the conclave, Mr. Selvam said, “Biotechnology represents one of the most consequential frontiers of education and research, with the power to improve lives and address some of society’s most urgent challenges. Through this conclave, VIT Chennai aims to encourage students to see biotechnology not only as a field of study, but as a pathway to innovation, enterprise and meaningful service to humanity.”

The opening session will feature a direct interaction between students and Ms. Ella, offering participants an opportunity to engage with one of India’s leading biotechnology entrepreneurs and gain insights from her experience.

Ganapathy, honorary distinguished professor, IIM Jammu, distinguished professor, The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and emeritus professor, National Academy of Medical Sciences; Mayur Abhaya, managing director, LifeCell International; and Shridevi S, deputy director, Centre for NeuroInformatics, VIT Chennai, will discuss the convergence of technology and biotechnology in conversation with Zubeda Hamid, senior assistant editor, The Hindu.

The panel on gene editing and precision medicine will focus on advances in genomics, clinical genetics and personalised healthcare. Vinod Scaria, chief data officer, Karkinos Healthcare; Kalpana Gowrishankar, clinical geneticist and counselor, Apollo Hospitals; and G. Jayaraman, dean, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT Chennai, will discuss the movement of gene-based technologies from laboratories into clinical and public health contexts, in conversation with Geetha Srimathi. S, senior reporter, The Hindu.

A session on India’s emergence as a global biopharma hub will explore the country’s growing role in the global biopharmaceutical landscape and the opportunities shaping its future. Maneesh Paul, CEO, Microvioma, lead co-inventor and program director of the anti-infective Enmetazobactam, Orchid Pharma; Vasan Sambandamurthy, senior vice-president, Bugworks Research India Pvt Ltd; and M. M. Balamurali, Professor, Centre for Healthcare Advancement, Innovation and Research, VIT Chennai, will join Athira Elssa Johnson, senior reporter, The Hindu.

The funding landscape for biotech research in India will be explored by Ajay Mahipal, co-founder and general partner, HealthKois, in conversation with Serena Josephine M, special correspondent, The Hindu. The discussion will examine capital, institutional support and venture-building ecosystems.

The last session will feature K. VijayRaghavan, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, in conversation with Jacob Koshy, Science Editor, The Hindu. It will explore India’s research and innovation ecosystem, its evolution, key opportunities and the role it can play in shaping the future of biotechnology and life sciences.

The Biotech Conclave 2026 brings students into direct conversation with experts and thought leaders, offering them a closer look at the latest developments, emerging opportunities and diverse career pathways in biotechnology, spanning research, healthcare innovation, enterprise and public good.

To watch the event live

Scan the QR code or visit https://newsth.live/VITBTCLS

Published – September 11, 2026 02:09 am IST

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VIT Chennai – The Hindu Biotech Conclave – Artifex.News

Biotech sector steadily growing with over 1,100 startups in the last year: K. VijayRaghavan

Need for contextual regulation

On AI’s role

VIT Chennai – The Hindu Biotech Conclave to throw spotlight on opportunities shaping the future of life sciences