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India has inaugurated its first Animal Stem Cell Biobank and Animal Stem Cell Laboratory at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) in Hyderabad, a facility aimed at advancing regenerative medicine and cellular therapies for livestock.

The facilities, inaugurated by science and technology minister Jitendra Singh, cover 9,300-square-feet and were built at a cost of ₹1.85 crore (approx. $212,000). They include a stem cell culture unit, 3D bioprinter, bacterial culture lab, cryostorage, autoclave rooms, advanced air-handling systems and uninterrupted power backup.

Research will focus on disease modelling, tissue engineering, reproductive biotechnology and the expansion of biobanking of animal stem cells with support from the National Biopharma Mission of DBT–BIRAC.

Alongside the biobank opening, the minister laid the foundation stone for new hostel and staff quarters at NIAB, approved at a cost of ₹19.98 crore (approx $2.3 million), to support researchers and faculty.

Singh also launched five veterinary diagnostic tools developed at NIAB to improve animal health management: a rapid detection kit for brucellosis; mastitis detection technology for dairy cattle; a portable antimicrobial sensitivity testing device; a toxoplasmosis detection kit; and a Japanese encephalitis detection strip for surveillance in animals and humans.

According to the minister, these innovations are expected to improve livestock productivity, strengthen veterinary disease prevention and contribute to agricultural growth. He described the developments as part of a broader “Evergreen Revolution” in the animal husbandry sector.

Singh said “I’m glad the entire Department of Biotechnology, under the leadership of Rajesh Gokhale, is contributing to making India future-ready. We will not lag behind when the next industrial revolution – driven by biotechnology – takes over. The economy will shift from manufacturing to regenerative and genetic processes, and India has already initiated this transition. This is one of the best times, with enabling support from policymakers, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who understood the long-term relevance of initiatives like the Bio E3 policy.”

Singh noted that agriculture accounts for 18% of India’s GDP and employs around 60% of the workforce, stressing that investment in veterinary science and biotechnology could yield significant economic benefits. He also urged farmers to adopt modern diagnostic tools to improve disease management and farm incomes.

The minister highlighted India’s growing biotechnology sector, pointing to initiatives such as the BioE3 policy and the recently announced ₹1 lakh crore Anusandhan National Research Foundation fund to boost private sector R&D. He added that India’s biotechnology research is increasingly linked with fields such as space medicine and physiology through collaborations with the Department of Space.

Commending NIAB director Taru Sharma for leading the project, Singh said India previously had stem cell banks for humans but none dedicated to animals. “The best of NIAB, and the best of Indian biotechnology, is yet to come,” he added.