Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh discusses expansion of private sector and startup participation with Bill Gates

Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh held discussions with Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates in New Delhi yesterday. The meeting aimed to expand private sector and startup participation in India’s innovation push and biomanufacturing surge. 

During the meeting, Dr Singh emphasized that the country has witnessed a surge in biotech innovations, supported by policies like Bio E3-Biotechnology for Economy, Employment, and Environment. Mr Gates praised India’s biotech advancements, acknowledging



its leadership in vaccine development, including partnerships that led to the HPV and COVID-19 vaccines. He also expressed interest in supporting India’s efforts to tackle diseases like tuberculosis and malaria. Mr Gates said the country’s research ecosystem presents immense opportunities for global health breakthroughs.

Dr Singh and Mr Gates also discussed the country’s biotechnology startup boom, with over ten thousand startups now operating in the sector.