The Biotech industry in India has been able to successfully position itself to capitalise on the

unfolding global biologics opportunity by attracting talent with advanced technical skill-sets.
The biotechnology sector of India is highly innovative and is on a high growth trajectory. The
sector, with its immense growth potential, will continue to play a more significant role as an
innovative manufacturing hub. The sector is one of the most significant sectors in enhancing
India's global profile as well as contributing to the growth of the economy. This sector is directly
or indirectly related to the health as well as the agricultural sector of India.
India is among the top 12 biotech destinations in the world and is the largest producer of
recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine. Out of the top 10 biotech companies in India (by revenue), six
focus their expertise in bio-pharmaceuticals and four specialise in agri-biotech.
India had recently overtaken Canada to emerge as the fourth largest country to grow biotech or
genetically modified (GM) crops, as farmers here planted Bt cotton in about 11 million hectares.
The global acreages under GM crops increased to 175.2 million hectares in 2013, about five
million hectares more than the previous year.
India also has no dearth of talent in this sector, as a number of institutions, both government and
autonomous, provide the necessary opportunities for the student seeking to obtain a degree in
this sector. Also, the Government of India has provided adequate scope to this sector by
providing facilities for research and development (R&D) in the field of biotechnology.
With the country offering numerous comparative advantages in terms of R&D facilities,
knowledge, skills, and cost effectiveness, the biotechnology industry in India has immense
potential to emerge as a global key player.
India currently has a marginal share in the global market for industrial enzymes that is estimated
to reach about US$ 4.4 billion by 2015. Hence, there is an opportunity in focused R&D and
knowledge-based innovation in the field of industrial enzymes, which can innovatively replace
polluting chemical processes into eco-friendly processes that also deliver environmental
sustainability. Another interesting field of study is the area of bio-markers and companion
diagnostics, which will enable to optimise the benefits of biotech drugs.
The Indian food industry is poised for huge growth, increasing its contribution in world food
trade every year. In India, the food sector has emerged as a high-profit sector on the back of the
scope it offers for value addition, particularly with the food processing industry getting
recognized as a high-priority area.