India Opens State-of-the-Art Animal Stem Cell Biobank That Could Benefit Cultivated Meat Producers

India has opened a state-of-the-art Animal Stem Cell Biobank and Laboratory at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology in Hyderabad. The facility, the first of its kind in the country, is equipped with advanced technology and will focus on research in disease modelling, tissue engineering, and reproductive biotechnology. With support from the National Biopharma Mission, the facility will expand for biobanking animal stem cells and their derivatives, benefiting producers of cultivated meat and other cellular agriculture products by providing quality-controlled cells and cost-effective cell-culture media.

India is making strides in the cultivated meat sector, with regulatory frameworks being set in place for cell-based foods like cultivated meat and seafood. Companies like Biokraft Foods and ClearMeat are leading the way, with partnerships and tastings showcasing the potential of cultivated meat in transforming the country's food system. Indian Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed confidence in India's readiness for the next industrial revolution driven by biotechnology, ensuring that the country is not left behind in adopting regenerative and genetic processes for economic growth, supported by initiatives like the Bio E3 policy.