Manipal, January, 2021.

With an aim to cater to the need of incubating innovative Biotechnology enterprises and to promote entire biotechnology innovation ecosystem in the country, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a public sector enterprise by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India has approved the setting up of a BioNESTat MAHE, Manipal campus under the `Bio incubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies’ (Bio-NEST) programme. MAHE’s initiative to BIRAC to augment the facilities by establishing BioNEST was granted at the existing Manipal-Government of Karnataka Bio incubator, supported by Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), Government of Karnataka and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal.

BioNEST facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation for innovation and technology development and are connected with the global network of start-up enablers and funding agencies. Bio-NEST provides incubation space to start-ups and entrepreneurs to test their ideas, run their business operations with access to resources and facilities of MAHE to enable the efficient exchange of knowledge as well as to facilitate technical and business mentorship.

Sharing his thoughts on the establishment of Bio Nest, MAHE Pro Chancellor Dr. H.S. Ballal said, “BioNEST facility being established at Manipal – Government of Karnataka Bioincubator is one of the landmark achievements of MAHE and will cater to the entrepreneurs in all aspects seamlessly.  This is a great initiative as it is the perfect platform for incubation of startups. MAHE has always been at the forefront of fostering entrepreneur culture.”

The BioNEST facility established at MAHE can occupy 30 entrepreneurs at any given time, with world-class faculties, infrastructure and services for the incubation of the start-ups in key domains such as biopharma, biomedical devices, dental innovation, biotechnology, healthcare, and diagnostics.  BioNEST will be managed by Manipal-GoK Bioincubator, K-tech Innovation hub and this center will extend all possible support to innovators and start-ups through various schemes and programs as a part of policy support from central and state Governments. The programs of Manipal-GoK Bioincubator are open to all the innovators across the globe and have various flexible incubation programs such as pre-Incubation, co-incubation, virtual incubation and full-time incubation programs for proof of concept, testing, validation, trials and commercial operation.

MAHE Vice chancellor Lt. Gen. (Retd) M.D. Venkatesh said, “  I congratulate the team for the receipt of BioNEST award by BIRAC, Government of India. This will significantly augment previously established Technology Business Incubator (TBI) by National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTDB) of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and Manipal – Government of Karnataka by Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), Government of Karnataka. BioNEST award by BIRAC, Government of India, will encourage innovation and technology development at local, National and international levels. BIRAC has been consistently promoting the efforts of entrepreneurs and innovators all over India and of MAHE through various programs which has significantly contributed to “Make in India” efforts. “

Dr. Manesh Thomas, CEO of Manipal – GoK Bioincubator who will also lead the efforts from BioNEST said, “Bioincubator at Manipal- GoK Bioincubator consists of dedicated and shared laboratories/ incubation, well-equipped high-end instrumentation and infrastructure, tissue culture facility, co-working space, dedicated offices, plug and play Workstations and Class 100 Clean Room. “

He further stated, “Expansion through BioNEST will also provide facilities to incubatees with various services in technology management, IP management, technology transfer, business plan development, prototype development, refinement, fund/grants support and assistance for market evaluation of the innovative technology ideas. In addition to this, MAHE also supports incubatees with access to Central Equipment Facilities, Mentors & Medical Experts, Animal House Facility, Biobank and Medical Facilities, various Testing Facilities & Clinical Trial Supports, Library and other MAHE Facilities.  “

Dr. K. Satyamoorthy, Director of Manipal School of Life Sciences said, “ Long history of entrepreneurship and practices at Manipal is the natural choice for promoting innovation and the BioNEST program will boost activities in the area of life sciences and biotechnology.”