SAMARTH skill centre, iDeaNA incubator launched at BRIC-CDFD Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: In a significant stride for India’s biotechnology landscape, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, set the stage for future innovation by laying the foundation stone for the SAMARTH Skill Development Centre and unveiling the iDeaNA-BRIC-CDFD Technology Incubator at Hyderabad’s BRIC Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics.
The event marks a step towards advancing skill development, fostering innovation, and supporting entrepreneurship in life sciences, key pillars of the national vision for Viksit Bharat@2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
SAMARTH: Skilling India in DNA tech and diagnostics
The SAMARTH Centre (Skilling & Accessing Molecular Advancements in Research & Technology for Health) aims to bridge skill gaps in forensic DNA profiling and molecular diagnostics. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) set up the centre to provide training, certification, and outreach programmes. This aims to build a workforce ready for the industry and support local diagnostic solutions.
“India’s science is being mobilized to train our workforce and ensure no rare disease patient is left without access to diagnosis and management,” said Dr. Jitendra Singh during the event, which was attended by DBT Secretary and BRIC Director General Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale and BRIC-CDFD Director Prof. Ullas Kolthur.
iDeaNA Incubator: Nurturing Deep-Tech Startups
The newly inaugurated iDeaNA Technology Incubator is designed to accelerate early-stage innovations and deep-tech startups in life sciences. It bridges academic research and commercialization and aligns with the BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Employment, and Environment).
In just a short time, the incubator has welcomed 12 startups, generated over 30 specialized jobs, supported four patent applications, and enabled startups to secure more than Rs 15 crore in funding. Among the five market-ready innovations are NexaSweet, a gut-friendly sweetener for diabetes and metabolic health, and Bocugel, Azbeco, and D-Origin, which address skin conditions, wound care, and mosquito-borne illnesses. Promecens Biomaterials introduces a melanin–chitosan blend for use in medical devices, skincare, and agriculture.
Following the inaugurations, Dr. Jitendra Singh led a dynamic brainstorming session on “Bench to Bedside” solutions for rare disorders, bringing together top experts to explore ways to turn research into real-world therapies and spark new strategies for effective treatment.
BRIC-CDFD, a leading institute in DNA fingerprinting, genomics, forensics, and translational research, will soon be a national centre for capacity building and biotech entrepreneurship.
