Call For Proposal

‘Biomanufacturing of Bio-Based Chemicals, Biopolymers and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in Production Strains’ has been identified as one of the thematic subsectors under the BioE3 Policy for ‘fostering high-performance biomanufacturing”. To significantly reduce carbon emission, India needs to change the ways in which chemicals, polymers and APIs are being produced in the country. With advancement in biotechnology, particularly in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, India is poised to decarbonise the chemical and pharma industry by transitioning to less carbon- intensive biomanufacturing of chemicals, polymers, and APIs using sustainable biobased feedstocks. Hence, DBT and BIRAC aim to foster an innovative ecosystem to address critical unmet needs in Biomanufacturing of Bio-Based Chemicals, Biopolymers and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in Production Strains.

In view of this, DBT and BIRAC invite proposals in the area of “Biomanufacturing of Bio-Based Chemicals, Biopolymers & Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in Production Strains”.

• The Production strains for Biomanufacturing of bio-based chemicals / biopolymers/ APIs under the call are as follows:

a. Talaromyces pinophilus L42

b. Paenibacilluspolymyxa A18

c. Saccharomyces cerevisiae NGY10

d. Chlorella sorokiniana I

e. Vibrio cholerae BB1

f. Escherichia coli SSY05

The proposals should preferably focus on, but not restricted to the Biomanufacturing of the following bio-based chemicals/ biopolymers/ Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs):

a. Bio-based Chemicals

· Biosurfactants (Rhamnolipids, Sophorolipids)

· Pigments (violacein, anthocyanin);

 · Flavor & fragrance (Nootkatone, valencene vanillin)

· Squalene (with cosmetic and medical applications),

· Itaconic acid (applications in plastic, paint, pharmaceutical, textile etc),

· Methyl ethyl diol (applications in synthesis of polyester, antifreeze, lubricants). 

b. Biopolymers

· Bioplastic precursors (1,4-Butanediol; 2-3 Butanediol; Butanol, Succinic acid, Lactic Acid, Polyhydroxubutyrate, Polyhydroxyalkanotes, etc.)

 · Bio-Nylon precursors (Caprolactam; muconic acid; Adipic acid)

· Biopolymers (Glycosaminoglycans; Polysaccharides)

 c. APIs/ KSMs/Drug Intermediates

· Penicillin G,7-ACA, Erythromycin Thiocynate, Clavulanic Acid, Neomycin, Gentamycin, Betamethasone, Dexamethasone, Prednisolone, Rifampicin, Vitamin B1, Clindamycin Base, Streptomycin, Tetracycline, Lovastatin.

The proposals are invited under the following two categories:

1. Discovery & Application-oriented Integrated Network Research; and
2. Bridging the gaps for scale-up

Discovery & Application-oriented Integrated Network Research:

The proposals under this category are invited for establishment of Proof-of– concept and early-stage validation in a bioreactor (upto100L) to eventually reach TRL 3-5 and will focus on: a. Demonstration of bioproduction of metabolites b. Outlining the minimal benchmark (titer/ productivity/scale) for the product c. Strain/metabolic engineering for improved yield/titer of the metabolite. d. Further development of a strain and toolkit to enable biomanufacturing. 

Bridging the Gaps for Scale-up:

The proposals are invited for pilot-scale demonstration of technology in a bioreactor above 100 L to eventually reach TRL-7 or above and will focus on: a. Use of simple sugars to effectively realize bioproduct development. b. Optimization, upscaling and down-streaming (recovery & purification) of existing technologies. c. Outlining the minimal benchmark (titer/ productivity/scale) for the product. d. Intensive strain engineering to further increase yield/titer of the bio-based chemical in an already up-scaled process.BIRAC TRL definitions - https://www.birac.nic.in/desc_new.php?id=443

• Companies established under the Companies Act 2013 and Startups.
• The Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) incorporated under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008.
• Academic from various Institutions/Universities/Societies/ Trusts/NGOs/Foundations/ Voluntary Organizations, recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO).

Proposals for the Scheme is required to be submitted online only. To submit a proposal online, please log on to the BIRAC website (www.birac.nic.in).

 No Hard Copy to be submitted. Proposals submitted online only would be considered.

Last date for Submission of Proposals: 31st July 2025.

Details of the scheme including eligibility requirements, categories for proposal submission; guidelines for support as grant and loan; agreement templates etc. are available at www.birac.nic.in

Announcement Date: 12-06-2025
Last Submission Date: 31-07-2025