Biotechnology is a science that makes use of living organisms and molecular biology to produce products and therapeutics using processes such as DNA Fingerprinting, DNA Cloning, Gel Electrophoresis, and Polymerase Chain Reaction. These processes are used in different sectors to create more efficient and cost-effective products. Top biotechnology companies in India derive their products from the extraction and manipulation of living organisms.
Modern Biotechnology continues to make very significant contributions to extending the human lifespan and improving the quality of life in numerous ways including providing products and therapies to combat different diseases, generating higher crop yields, and using biofuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Here is a list of the top biotechnology companies in India:
Serum Institute of India
Serum Institute of India is one of the most well-known top biotechnology companies in India. It is a private institute that was established in the year 1966 by Cyrus S. Poonawalla. The company manufactures different vaccines such as Purified Vero Cell Rabies Vaccine, DTaP vaccine, Tuberculosis Vaccine Tubervac (BCG), and Poliovac for Poliomyelitis.
The Pune based company has partnered with AstraZeneca, a British biopharma agent to ensure the equitable supply of the AZD 1222 vaccine doses to India. The institute has crossed milestones in technological advancement by installing a robotic arm for virus handling, a cell factory, and cell cube for growing cells. The annual turnover of the company is $693.7 million (estimated).
Panacea Biotech
Panacea Biotech is an innovation-driven biotechnology company involved in research and development, manufacturing, sales, distribution and marketing of pharmaceutical products and vaccines. It was established in 1976. Panacea Biotech has played a pivotal role in polio eradication, being the largest supplier of oral polio vaccines to UNICEF and the Government of India. It also focuses on Organ Transplantation (Liver, Kidney, Heart), Nephrology, Oncology, Diabetes, Orthopedics, Gastroenterology.
Balaji Agri Biotech Private Limited
Established in 2012 with an aim to serve the farming community by selling quality seeds, Balaji Agri Biotech focuses on the research of different crops namely cotton, corn, rice, vegetable crops which includes onion, cucumber, brinjal, tomato and many more. The company started with research and development work in 2010 in Hyderabad by engaging an experienced team of scientists to ensure the quality of the seeds. Using cutting edge technology and escalated research activities, the company has reformed the agrarian essence of the nation.
Biocon
Leading the biotechnology sector in the last decade, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw built Biocon Limited from her garage. Based in Bangalore, Biocon has become the ultimate pharma and healthcare solution provider in the country. Recently, Biocon received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) regarding the usage of drug Itolizumab for the treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19 complications. Biocon has an annual turnover of Rs. 6,528,60 crore.
Biotechnology companies in India are paving the way with a great pace with the advent of new technologies and methods such as Gene Editing, Bioremediation, Bioleaching, Micropropogation, and Degradation of lactose in dairy products that help in manufacturing and developing new healthcare, food, and agricultural products. Various other biotechnology companies are engaged in drug development, genomics or proteomics, production of biofuels, and other food products.
