ENA Global 2025-03-21 17:21:38 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Mar 21 (KNN)</strong> In a major boost to technology-driven collaboration, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates met with Union Minister Jitendra Singh during his visit to India.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The two leaders engaged in comprehensive discussions on expanding private sector and startup participation in India's growing innovation landscape and biomanufacturing sector.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The meeting, attended by delegations from both sides, covered advancements in gene therapy, vaccine innovation, biotechnology manufacturing, and the rapidly evolving Indian startup ecosystem.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Jitendra Singh highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, India has witnessed remarkable growth in biotech innovations, supported by policies like Bio E3&mdash;biotechnology for economy, employment, and environment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">He emphasised the crucial role of private players and startups in Indias bio-revolution, facilitated by initiatives such as the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Bill Gates lauded India's biotech achievements, particularly in vaccine development, citing its contributions to the HPV and COVID-19 vaccines.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">He also expressed a keen interest in supporting Indias initiatives to combat diseases like tuberculosis and malaria, acknowledging Indias research potential in delivering global health breakthroughs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">A key highlight of the discussion was Indias burgeoning biotechnology startup ecosystem, which now boasts over 10,000 startups.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Jitendra Singh noted that 70 per cent of these focus on medical and health biotech, while others contribute to agriculture, environmental sustainability, and industrial biotechnology.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">He reiterated the governments commitment to scaling up innovations through increased funding and policy reforms for faster commercialisation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Additionally, Gates and Jitendra Singh explored investment opportunities through Gift City, a financial hub facilitating global investments.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Gates indicated that while the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation primarily operates in philanthropy, new financial structures could enable direct investments in promising Indian biotech startups.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">As India accelerates its biotechnology advancements, Jitendra Singh reaffirmed the governments dedication to fostering public-private partnerships to ensure the sectors continued growth.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">With increased R&amp;D investments and global collaborations, India is on track to becoming a leading hub for biotechnology innovation.</span></p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:14px">(KNN Bureau)</span></strong></em></p> 41480 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/global/bill-melinda-gates-foundation-to-collaborate-with-india-on-advance-biotech-and-vaccine-innovation 2025-03-21 17:21:38 knnindia.co.in