The Mumbai Biocluster, a consortium comprising prestigious institutions such as ICT Mumbai, IIT Bombay, TIFR, ACTREC, and Khalsa College, has been granted INR 60 crore by the Department of Science and Technology’s (DST) SATHI initiative. The funding is geared towards accelerating the development of pharmaceuticals, with a specific focus on monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, mRNA technology, and cell & gene therapy.
Accelerating Drug Development: The Mumbai Biocluster aims to play a pivotal role in revolutionizing drug development in India by serving as an accelerator for startups, academia, MSMEs, and industries. It will provide state-of-the-art infrastructure and expertise, addressing key challenges faced during technology scale-up and validation in the drug development phase.
Focus Areas and Key Facilities: With a dedicated focus on monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, mRNA technology, and cell & gene therapy, the biocluster aims to contribute significantly to the advancement of biopharmaceutical products. A key component of this mission is the provision of a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility, ensuring cost-effective drug development, as highlighted in a statement by ICT Mumbai.
Bridging Research and Commercialization: The Mumbai Biocluster’s core mission is to bridge the gap between research and commercialization, propelling India to the forefront of biopharmaceutical innovation. By fostering collaboration among leading academic and research institutions, the biocluster aspires to drive economic growth and improve healthcare outcomes in the country.
As the biocluster receives a substantial financial boost from the government’s SATHI initiative, expectations are high regarding its potential to create a thriving ecosystem for pharmaceutical innovation and development.
