India’s first-of-its-kind State-of-the-Art Animal Stem Cell Biobank and Animal Stem Cell Laboratory was inaugurated at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) in Hyderabad on August 9, 2025, by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. The facility aims to advance regenerative medicine, disease modelling, and reproductive biotechnology for livestock.
Spread over 9,300 sq ft and built at a cost of Rs 1.85 crore, Biobank is equipped with cutting-edge tools, including a stem cell culture unit, 3D bioprinter, bacterial culture lab, cryostorage, and advanced air handling systems. Supported by the National Biopharma Mission of DBT–BIRAC, it will also enable the preservation and study of animal stem cells and their derivatives.
Alongside the inauguration, Dr. Singh laid the foundation stone for a new hostel block and staff quarters worth Rs 19.98 crore to strengthen research infrastructure at NIAB. He hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Biotechnology BioE3 policy for positioning India as an early mover in this frontier sector, saying it will play a vital role in the country’s transition towards a biotechnology-driven economy.
The Minister also launched five new veterinary diagnostic tools aimed at transforming animal health management under the ‘One Health’ approach, rapid kits for brucellosis, mastitis, toxoplasmosis, and Japanese encephalitis, as well as a portable antimicrobial sensitivity testing device. These innovations, he said, would boost livestock productivity, support rural incomes, and contribute to an “Evergreen Revolution” in agriculture.
Dr. Singh emphasised that with agriculture contributing 18% to India’s GDP and employing 60% of its workforce, advancements in veterinary health can have a transformative impact. He noted that every rupee invested in agricultural research generates a return of Rs 13, and closer collaboration with industry will ensure faster adoption of new technologies.
He also underlined the government’s push for innovation, citing the recently announced Rs 1 lakh crore RDI fund under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation to promote private sector R&D. Looking ahead, he said India is well-positioned for the next industrial revolution, driven by genetic and regenerative processes, and even emerging fields like space medicine.
Interacting with farmers on the sidelines, Dr. Singh urged livestock owners to embrace early disease detection and preventive care to safeguard animals and improve farm incomes. Commending NIAB Director Dr. Taru Sharma for her leadership, he said this milestone would pave the way for India’s emergence as a global leader in animal biotechnology.
