India Pharma Outlook Team | Monday, 11 August 2025
On Friday, Union Minister of State (IC) Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first-of-its-kind state-of-the-art Animal Stem Cell Biobank and Animal Stem Cell Laboratory at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad.
The Minister also formally laid the foundation stone for a new hostel block and Type-IV quarters at NIAB, which has been approved by the Department of Biotechnology at a total cost of ?19.98 crore. The infrastructure will facilitate the staying needs of research scholars, faculty and staff and support an active and innovative academic ecosystem.
The facility of Animal BioBank, with an area of 9,300 sq ft, has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.85 crore, and will focus on regenerative medicine and cellular therapies for livestock. The laboratory will have a stem cell culture unit, 3D bioprinter, bacterial culture lab, cryostorage, autoclave rooms, air handling units, and uninterrupted power backup, and will help in advancing research work in disease modeling, tissue engineering, and reproductive biotechnology.
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Support from the National Biopharma Mission (NBM) of DBT–BIRAC will allow the facility to expand and enable biobanking of animal stem cells and stem cell derived products. Additionally, Dr. Singh launched five innovative veterinary diagnostic tools that aim to transform animal health management, as well as support the 'One Health' agenda.
Dr Singh emphasised that the Department of Biotechnology stands alone in bringing together plant, animal, and human worlds into one. He mentioned India's involvement in space-based experiments including the Department of Space, and anticipated new fields including space medicine and space physiology.
