Biotech Startups in India: Growth, Innovation & Success

The biotechnology landscape in India has entered an exciting new phase. From developing life-saving vaccines to transforming agriculture and sustainability, Biotech Startups in India are reshaping how we live, heal, and sustain the planet. After COVID-19 highlighted the importance of science-driven innovation, India saw a surge of young entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers turning ideas into real-world solutions.

The government’s Startup India Initiative, launched in 2016, played a major role in this transformation. Combined with funding support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and innovation-focused schemes like BioNEST incubators, these efforts created an ecosystem where startups could move from laboratory experiments to market-ready solutions.

Today, India’s biotech sector is valued at over US$80 billion, with projections to reach $150 billion by 2025, according to Invest India. Within this growth story, startups are the true changemakers — tackling global issues in health, food, energy, and environment. So let’s take a look at some of the startups in India and the stories behind their success.

Building the Future of Health and Life

Among the new generation of innovators, Pandorum Technologies stands out as a symbol of homegrown excellence. Based in Bengaluru, Pandorum’s breakthroughs in 3D bioprinting and regenerative medicine are rewriting the rules of tissue engineering. Their bioprinted liver tissues provide accurate data on drug toxicity — a significant improvement over traditional animal testing. Even more revolutionary is their work in corneal bioprinting, which could help millions of people who have corneal blindness regain their sight.

What began as a small research venture now collaborates with international labs across Europe and North America. The company is also exploring personalised organ replacement therapies, bridging the gap between futuristic science and real-world healthcare needs. Pandorum’s success demonstrates how Indian startups can lead at the intersection of biology, technology, and compassion.

Another healthcare innovator, XCode Life Sciences from Chennai, is making genomics accessible to everyone. Their DNA testing kits decode health, fitness, and nutrition insights, empowering people to make informed lifestyle choices. More importantly, XCode’s pharmacogenomics platform helps doctors prescribe medications suited to each person’s genetic profile — reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes.

Through global collaborations and AI-driven analytics, XCode shows how data science and biotechnology together can personalise medicine and preventive healthcare for the masses.

Redefining Cancer Diagnostics and Immunotherapy

In the fight against cancer, Oncostem Diagnostics is a shining example of Indian innovation with global potential. Its flagship test, CanAssist Breast, uses machine learning to predict whether breast cancer will return after treatment. This allows doctors to customise therapies and avoid unnecessary chemotherapy, improving the quality of life for patients.

Having proven its accuracy and clinical utility, Oncostem is now developing tools for ovarian and colorectal cancers. The company’s vision of precision oncology — treating each cancer as unique — makes it one of the most promising startup biotech companies in India.

Meanwhile, Zumutor Biologics is leading the frontier of immuno-oncology. Its cutting-edge research on natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies aims to empower the immune system to attack tumours more effectively. The company’s lead candidate, ZM008, is currently in trials for solid tumours, and its expanding antibody platform has the potential to treat autoimmune diseases as well.

Zumutor’s story shows how focused scientific research, coupled with global collaborations and patents, can put an Indian biotech startup on the world map.

Turning Oceans and Microbes into Opportunity

While some startups focus on human health, others are reimagining sustainability. Sea6 Energy, another Bengaluru-based company, is transforming India’s vast coastline into a source of renewable bio-based products. The company’s mechanised seaweed farming technology supports sustainable production of biofuels, bioplastics, and agricultural biostimulants.

Their biostimulant, Agrinos, has shown a 20% improvement in crop yields, helping farmers adopt eco-friendly practices. Sea6’s model of linking environmental stewardship with profitability has earned it recognition as one of the most successful biotech startups tackling climate and agricultural challenges.

Similarly, String Bio is taking on methane — one of the world’s most potent greenhouse gases — and converting it into high-value materials like biodegradable plastics and protein-rich animal feed. Using synthetic biology and proprietary fermentation processes, String Bio not only reduces emissions but also contributes to the circular economy.

Their partnerships with global agribusinesses prove that Indian biotech entrepreneurs can lead sustainable innovation that benefits both industry and the planet.

Innovating in Everyday Health

Startups like Vyome Therapeutics and MedGenome are redefining what everyday healthcare looks like. Vyome, headquartered in New Delhi, focuses on skin health, developing targeted therapies for antibiotic-resistant acne and psoriasis. Its lead drug, VB1953, is currently in clinical trials, and early results have been promising. By targeting infection sites directly, Vyome’s technology reduces side effects and boosts efficacy — a perfect example of precision treatment in dermatology.

MedGenome, on the other hand, is driving genomics research at scale. The company operates India’s largest South Asian genetic database, enabling more accurate diagnosis of cancer, diabetes, and rare diseases. Their genomic tests have already improved diagnostic precision by over 40%, and collaborations with pharmaceutical giants are accelerating drug discovery.

By combining deep data insights with medical applications, MedGenome has become one of the top biotech startups in India and a trusted name in global precision medicine.

Making Genomics Personal and Preventive

Mapmygenome, based in Hyderabad, has taken genetic awareness to households across India. Their flagship product, Genomepatri, offers health, ancestry, and wellness reports along with expert genetic counselling. Recently, they introduced a mobile app that delivers personalised health insights and recommendations — making genomics accessible at the tap of a screen.

The company’s partnerships with corporate wellness programs and insurers integrate genetics into preventive care, proving that biotech is no longer confined to labs — it’s becoming part of everyday life.

Fighting Global Health Threats

In an era of rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Bugworks Research from Bengaluru, is leading the global fight. Their novel antibiotic, currently in clinical trials, targets multi-drug-resistant bacteria — a threat the WHO lists among the top public health crises.

Bugworks is also diversifying into oncology, developing molecules that could work against both cancer and infectious diseases. Supported by international funding agencies and research collaborations, Bugworks shows how biotech entrepreneurs can address global challenges from an Indian base.

For students and aspiring entrepreneurs, these stories offer a roadmap. Most of these companies began with small research projects, often incubated in university labs. Founders combined strong technical knowledge with vision and perseverance. As a student, if you want to be a part of this change, here’s how you can start.

How Students Can Join the Revolution

If you’re pursuing or planning to pursue biotechnology courses after 12th, you’re already stepping into a field full of opportunities. Learn the fundamentals — from molecular biology and bioprocessing to computational tools — but also explore entrepreneurship, innovation, and funding pathways.

Competitions like the National Bio-Entrepreneurship Competition (NBEC) or BIRAC’s Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) Scheme provide early-stage support to student innovators. Start small, collaborate with your professors, and seek mentorship from incubators and accelerators.

Biotechnology rewards curiosity and persistence. Every great company you’ve read about — from Pandorum to String Bio — began as a simple idea backed by determined minds.

Explore the Scope and Opportunities in Biotechnology Here!

Study Biotech at Shoolini University

If you dream of launching your own biotech startup someday, Shoolini University is the perfect place to begin. Known as India’s first university dedicated to Biotechnology, Shoolini is nestled in the beautiful Kasauli Hills of Himachal Pradesh. It is ranked the No. 1 Private University in India by QS World University Rankings 2026 and No.2 Private University in India by Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.

The School of Biotechnology at Shoolini is built to inspire innovation and entrepreneurship. It offers a wide range of programs — B Tech Biotechnology, BSc Biotechnology, M Tech Biotechnology, MSc Biotechnology, and PhD Biotechnology — that combine academic learning with research and industry exposure. Through the B Tech Biotechnology Summit Research Program (SRP), students begin research from Day 1, learning to think, explore, and solve problems.

Research and innovation lie at the heart of Shoolini’s ecosystem. The university follows a unique ‘One Student One Patent’ policy, which has already led to the filing of more than 1700 patents. This initiative not only protects student research but also nurtures an entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging students to think beyond the lab and create biotech solutions with real-world impact.

Shoolini’s infrastructure backs this innovative spirit. With 104+ advanced laboratories and 11 Centres of Excellence in fields such as disaster management, OMICS, and biodiversity research, students have access to cutting-edge facilities. Government grants like DST-PURSE, HIMCOSTE, and BIRAC have further supported the creation of the Bio-Innovation Centre, where young researchers can transform their ideas into viable biotech products or ventures.

A major catalyst for student entrepreneurship is the Pehal Incubation Centre, Shoolini’s dedicated platform that helps students turn their ideas into startups. Pehal provides mentorship, industry connections, and even funding guidance to support early-stage innovation. It’s where biotech students with creative ideas can get real-world startup experience.

Additionally, Shoolini has launched the Startup Marathon — a university-wide initiative where students pitch their ideas, compete for funding, and receive mentorship to launch their startups. This event gives aspiring innovators a chance to connect with investors, refine their business models, and turn their research-driven concepts into scalable enterprises.

The university’s faculty includes experts from globally renowned institutions like Oxford, NIH, NCI, and IIM, and several of its researchers are listed among the top 2% scientists in the world by Stanford University. This means students learn directly from leading minds in biotechnology, research, and entrepreneurship.

Shoolini also ensures international exposure with 250+ global collaborations with prestigious universities such as The University of Melbourne, Seoul National University, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Salford. These partnerships open doors to global research projects, internships, and exchange programs that broaden students’ perspectives.

Finally, Shoolini’s strong placement record through its Mission 130 initiative ensures 100% placements, with 30% of students placed in top companies like Biocon, Cipla, Abbott, Nestlé, SRL Diagnostics, and Serum Institute of India — organisations that are global leaders in biotech innovation.

With its deep focus on research, entrepreneurship, and innovation, Shoolini University provides a complete ecosystem for aspiring biotech entrepreneurs — from ideation and incubation to funding and global exposure — making it the ideal place to build or work with the next generation of biotech startups in India.

Also Read: Food Technology vs Biotechnology: Which Course Should You Choose?

The Road Ahead 

The biotech ecosystem in India is maturing. Areas like affordable diagnostics, sustainable biomaterials, and ethical bio-manufacturing are no longer fringe. Governments and investors are increasingly interested. Regenerative medicine, AI + biotech, alternative proteins, and environmental biotech are growing fields.

For students and young entrepreneurs, this is a time of opportunity. The barrier to entry is still high — due to lab requirements, regulations, and costs — but the pathways are now clearer: grants, incubators, competitions, and university support.

By joining Shoolini University, you can become part of this thriving innovation ecosystem. With its strong focus on research, patents, and entrepreneurship, Shoolini empowers students to transform ideas into impactful biotech ventures that contribute to India’s growing biotech revolution.

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