India is steadily strengthening its position as a global leader in vaccine production, biomedical research and epidemic preparedness, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, said.
Addressing a high-level reception organised jointly by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the Minister highlighted India’s growing scientific capabilities and its potential to contribute significantly to global health security.
The event, held at the India International Centre in New Delhi, brought together CEPI Board and Investors Council members, policymakers, scientists, industry representatives and other stakeholders involved in vaccine research and epidemic preparedness. The meetings marked the return of CEPI’s governance engagements to India after a gap of nearly a decade.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said India has undergone a major transformation in epidemic preparedness and biotechnology over the past decade. The country, he noted, has developed a robust bioeconomy, advanced vaccine capabilities and a scientific ecosystem capable of responding to emerging infectious disease threats.
India’s bioeconomy was valued at around USD 195.3 billion in 2025, registering 18 per cent annual growth. The biotechnology startup ecosystem also expanded to 11,855 startups, with 1,780 new ventures added during 2025. The biopharmaceutical sector alone contributes nearly 30 per cent to the country’s bioeconomy.
The Minister underlined that India’s strength now extends well beyond large-scale vaccine manufacturing. The country has developed capabilities spanning research, innovation, clinical development, advanced biological products and manufacturing. Indian vaccines are supplied to more than 100 countries, while the country accounts for nearly 60 per cent of global vaccine production and meets over 65 per cent of the World Health Organization’s routine immunisation requirements.
Recalling the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Singh said India demonstrated its ability to develop vaccines rapidly and make them available to other countries. The experience also helped transform international perceptions of India’s scientific and technological capabilities.
He pointed out that India’s diverse disease environment offers a distinctive advantage for biomedical research. The country faces a broad range of infectious diseases alongside increasing non-communicable and metabolic disorders. This combination creates both challenges and opportunities for research into pathogens, disease patterns and the relationship between infectious and metabolic conditions.
According to the Minister, India’s biological diversity, combined with its expanding pool of scientific talent, can help generate knowledge and biomedical solutions with relevance far beyond the country.
The partnership between DBT, BIRAC and CEPI is playing an important role in converting this potential into practical interventions. The collaboration, initially established in 2019 and renewed in September 2025 for another five years, focuses on strengthening vaccine research and preparedness for emerging infectious diseases.
Under the India-centric Ind-CEPI Mission, implemented by BRIC-THSTI and BIRAC, several significant achievements have been recorded. These include GEMCOVAC-19, India’s first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, an inactivated Chikungunya vaccine candidate undergoing Phase II/III trials, and advanced vaccine candidates targeting Monkeypox and pan-sarbecoviruses.
Shared research infrastructure has also expanded through the partnership. The BRIC-THSTI Bioassay Laboratory has become one of CEPI’s 17 centralised network laboratories and has supported eight vaccine candidates at various development stages. More than one lakh samples have been tested at the facility, while its animal facility has joined CEPI’s pre-clinical network.
Capacity building has emerged as another key area of cooperation. Advanced vaccinology courses and the PACT programme have helped strengthen vaccine and clinical trial expertise, with more than 2,400 participants from 14 friendly and neighbouring countries receiving online training.
Dr. Singh said the next phase should focus on translating India’s scientific strengths into wider global health benefits through pan-pathogen vaccine research, advanced biomanufacturing and stronger international collaborations.
He emphasised that sustained cooperation among government institutions, academia, industry and international organisations will be essential to developing rapidly deployable solutions against future outbreaks. India, he said, is increasingly positioned to combine its scientific expertise, research infrastructure and disease diversity with scalable manufacturing to strengthen global epidemic preparedness and advance next-generation vaccines and biomedical interventions.
Also Read: India Poised to Lead Global Advanced Technology and Critical Minerals Landscape: Dr Jitendra Singh
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
