THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, March 1: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the state-of-the-art "Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors" at the BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB), aimed at advancing drug discovery and medical and agricultural genomics.
The facility, developed with an investment of approximately ₹60 crore by the Department of Biotechnology, houses engineered recombinant cells and advanced screening systems to support academia, industry, and healthcare innovators across the country.
The Minister also announced the establishment of a dedicated GMP facility at RGCB with an outlay of ₹80 crore to support the pre-commercial production of biologics and cell-based therapies, including CAR-T therapy, bridging laboratory research and industrial-scale manufacturing.
Highlighting India's growing bioeconomy, Dr. Singh said the sector has expanded significantly over the past decade, driven by policy support and initiatives such as the BioE3 Policy. He emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between research institutions and industry to accelerate innovation and address rising health challenges, including cancer and other non-communicable diseases.