Biotechnology to spur avenues in precision bio-therapeutics & bio-based chemicals

Biotechnology to spur avenues in precision bio-therapeutics & bio-based chemicals


Posted on November 28, 2024 Updated on November 24, 2024

Union government is emphasising that the biotechnology sector’s thrust should be towards twin technologies. One is digital tech and the other is green tech which will help it transition towards sustainable development and foster low-carbon economy growth. The industrialisation of biotechnology has led to a wave of innovation where precision bio-therapeutics and bio-based chemicals along with enzymes are new areas to focus in research.

Precision biotherapeutics represents a paradigm shift in medicine, offering a more personalized and effective approach to treatment. With advances in genomics, bioinformatics, and big data, this field has the potential to significantly improve the treatment of a variety of complex, rare diseases. However, overcoming challenges like cost, complexity, and ethical concerns will be critical to realizing its full potential in clinical practice.

It is here we see adoption of twin technologies are expected to drive India’s growth, mitigate environmental impact, and address the challenges posed by climate change, while ensuring economic growth. The strategy is to integrate finance with technology to drive innovation and create new opportunities, noted Rajesh Gokhale, secretary, Department of Biotechnology.

Digital technologies encompass innovations like artificial intelligence (AI), big data, IoT (Internet of Things), cloud computing, blockchain, and 5G. These technologies can accelerate India’s sustainable development. In fact, digital tools help optimize resource use, reduce waste, and improve decision-making processes. For example, AI-driven systems can optimize energy use in industries and smart grids, making power consumption more efficient.

Digital platforms enable better service delivery, transparency, and participation. Green technologies are designed to mitigate environmental impact and help move towards a low-carbon economy. Green technologies in waste management such as recycling and waste-to-energy technologies enable a circular economy, where resources are reused and waste is minimized.

The government has launched various initiatives that align with the focus on digital and green technologies. These are the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). This includes initiatives aimed at reducing India’s carbon intensity, promoting energy efficiency, and developing green technologies.

By integrating digital and green technologies, India aims to achieve its sustainable development goals (SDGs) and build a more resilient, low-carbon economy. The focus on these twin pillars supports India’s broader ambition of becoming a global biotechnology leader. The futuristic policies like the BioE3 policy aims to harness the potential of biotechnology to address a wide range of challenges in economic development, environmental sustainability, and job creation. It emphasizes high-performance bio-manufacturing, which is the ability to produce a broad spectrum of products, from medicines to materials, using advanced biotechnological processes, stated Dr Gokhale at the recent BTS event.

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