Central Idea

• The Quad, comprised of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, established a Critical and Emerging Technology Working Group in March 2021 to foster collaboration and explore opportunities in critical and emerging technologies, including biotechnology. However, there remains untapped potential for Quad cooperation in the field of biotechnology. The need of the hour is to establish a Quad-led biomanufacturing hub in India to enhance cooperation and leverage the complementary strengths of Quad nations.

What is QUAD’s Critical and Emerging Technology Working Group?

• The Quad’s Critical and Emerging Technology Working Group is a collaborative initiative established by the Quad countries.
• It was formed in March 2021 with the aim of facilitating cooperation, monitoring trends, and exploring opportunities related to critical and emerging technologies. The working group focuses on identifying and addressing key issues and challenges in areas such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, and other cutting-edge fields.
• It serves as a platform for the Quad countries to share expertise, exchange information, and coordinate efforts in order to harness the potential of these technologies for economic growth, national security, and societal development.
• For instance, in the field of 5G, the Quad members have worked on developing telecommunications networks to counter the pervasive presence of China’s Huawei through the use of open radio access (O-RAN) networks.

Facts for prelims

What is mean by Biomanufacturing?

• Biomanufacturing refers to the use of biological systems, such as living organisms (microorganisms, cell cultures, or plants), to produce commercially valuable products on a large scale. It involves harnessing the power of biological processes and utilizing them in industrial applications.
• In biomanufacturing, living organisms are employed as “factories” to perform specific tasks or produce desired molecules. These organisms can be genetically engineered or naturally occurring, depending on the desired outcome.
• The organisms are cultivated in controlled environments, such as bioreactors, where they are provided with optimal conditions for growth and production. They are fed with specific nutrients, and their growth and metabolic activities are carefully regulated.
• Biomanufacturing can encompass a wide range of products, including pharmaceuticals, enzymes, biofuels, specialty chemicals, biomaterials, and more.
• Biomanufacturing is often more sustainable and environmentally friendly, as it relies on renewable resources and has the potential to reduce waste and pollution.

Why India stands as the ideal choice to host the biomanufacturing hub?

• India’s ambition of biomanufacturing: India’s National Biotechnology Development Strategy sets a target of reaching $100 billion in the biomanufacturing sector.
• Existing Infrastructure: India already has existing infrastructure in place, including pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and research institutions, that can be utilized to establish and expand biomanufacturing capabilities. This infrastructure provides a solid foundation for the development of a biomanufacturing hub.
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Expertise: India has a long-standing reputation as a major player in the global pharmaceutical industry. The country has established expertise in manufacturing and quality control processes, which can be leveraged for biomanufacturing. The experience gained in pharmaceutical manufacturing can be applied to biomanufacturing, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and maintaining high-quality production.
• Skilled Workforce: India possesses a large pool of skilled professionals in the life sciences and biotechnology sectors. The country’s workforce includes scientists, engineers, and technicians with expertise in various aspects of biomanufacturing. This skilled workforce can contribute to the success of the biomanufacturing hub by driving research, development, and production activities.
• Research Output: India has demonstrated its research capabilities in biomanufacturing, ranking high in terms of the quality of research output and the share of research publications. The country’s strong research base provides a solid foundation for innovation and advancements in biomanufacturing processes and technologies.
• Cost-Effectiveness: India has a competitive advantage in terms of cost-effectiveness. The cost of manufacturing in India is generally lower compared to countries like the United States, making it an attractive destination for cost-efficient biomanufacturing. This cost advantage can contribute to the affordability and accessibility of biomanufactured products.
• Potential for Affordable Scale: India has the potential to provide affordable scalability in biomanufacturing processes. With its large population and manufacturing capabilities, India can meet the demand for biomanufactured products on a large scale, leading to cost-effective production and availability of essential biopharmaceuticals and other biotechnological products.

Complementary Strengths of Quad Nations

• Advanced Biotechnology Innovation Ecosystems: Japan, Australia, and the United States have well-established and advanced biotechnology innovation ecosystems. These ecosystems comprise research institutions, universities, biotech companies, and startups that drive innovation and technological advancements in biotechnology.
• Funding Capability: The United States, being one of the Quad nations, brings significant funding capability to the table. The U.S. government and private sector invest heavily in research, development, and commercialization of biotechnology.
• Skilled Workforce: India, as a Quad member, offers a large pool of skilled manpower, particularly in the life sciences field. Collaborative efforts can facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building to enhance the skills of the workforce across the Quad nations.
• Manufacturing and Scale-Up Capabilities: India has well-established pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities. The country has a robust infrastructure and expertise in large-scale production, which can be harnessed for biomanufacturing purposes.
• Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer: The Quad nations, particularly Japan and the United States, have strong intellectual property protection systems and expertise in technology transfer. Sharing intellectual property and facilitating technology transfer can accelerate the development and commercialization of biomanufacturing technologies, benefiting all Quad nations.
• Research Output and Innovation: All Quad nations contribute significantly to global research output in the field of biotechnology. They produce high-quality research publications and drive innovation in various subfields of biotechnology. Collaboration within the Quad can facilitate knowledge exchange, joint research projects, and the development of innovative solutions in biomanufacturing.

Way ahead

• Collaborative Research and Development: Foster collaborative research and development initiatives between the Quad nations and India. This can involve joint projects, knowledge sharing, and technology transfer to accelerate the development of biomanufacturing processes, products, and technologies.
• Capacity Building and Skill Development: Establish training programs, workshops, and exchange programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of professionals in biomanufacturing. This can include specialized training in areas such as advanced bioprocessing techniques, quality control, regulatory compliance, and technology transfer.
• Infrastructure Investment: Allocate resources for infrastructure development, including the establishment of specialized bioreactor facilities, research centers, and manufacturing capabilities.
• Regulatory Framework Alignment: Collaboratively work towards aligning regulatory frameworks among the Quad nations and India. This involves harmonizing regulations, streamlining approval processes, and ensuring consistent quality standards.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Foster public-private partnerships to leverage the expertise, resources, and capabilities of both sectors. Engaging industry stakeholders, academia, research institutions, and government agencies in collaborative initiatives can drive innovation, facilitate technology transfer, and accelerate the commercialization of biomanufactured products.
• International Collaboration: Explore collaborations beyond the Quad nations to foster international cooperation in biomanufacturing. Engaging with countries outside the Quad can expand opportunities for knowledge exchange, market access, and research collaboration.\

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your personal mentor for UPSC 2024 | Schedule your FREE session and get the Prelims prep Toolkit!

Must read:

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now