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With vast scientific talent, competitive manufacturing capabilities, and a growing emphasis on research and development, Karnataka is rapidly transforming from a biosimilar-focused industry to a global innovation hub for affordable, high-quality biologics.
Its manufacturers have strengthened India’s position as a global vaccine supplier, exporting to multiple countries and supporting international immunization programs. This has led the state’s BioEconomy to register US$ 39.2 billion in 2025, marking strong growth from previous years and reaffirming the state's leadership position nationally. The state played a pivotal role in vaccine research, development, and manufacturing, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), under the Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, unveiled the Karnataka BioEconomy Report 2025 in collaboration with the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises. The report, that was released by IT minister Priyank Kharge, stated that the state contributes around 21 per cent of India's BioEconomy and accounts for over 10 per cent of Karnataka's GSDP.
According to the report, the BioEconomy has expanded from US$ 31.0 billion in 2023, reflecting 26.5 per cent cumulative growth, and is now adding nearly US$ 10 billion every quarter to the state's GDP. BioPharma remains the anchor with over 40 per cent share (about USD 16.44 billion), driven by biologics, biosimilars, vaccines and diagnostics, it said.
The state industry including Biocon, Syngene, Bhat Biotech, Strides Pharma, Novo Nordisk, Genotypic Technology, to name only a few, said that it is the state government’s progressive biotech policies, biotech parks, incubation centres, and public-private partnerships that have created a supportive ecosystem for startups and multinational corporations. Strong collaboration between academia, industry, and government continues to drive sustainable growth.
"BioIndustrial biotechnology has emerged as the fastest-growing segment (about USD 11.46 billion, around 29 per cent share), led by fermentation-based industries, biofuels, enzymes and sustainable materials. BioServices accounts for about 25.8 per cent share, while BioAgri contributes to sustainable agriculture and input innovation.
BioEconomy growth is becoming increasingly multi-regional. While Bengaluru Urban accounts for about 54 per cent of the state's BioEconomy, Mysuru contributes around 8.7 per cent, while Belagavi and Dakshina Kannada together account for over 9 per cent. Northern districts remain the Agri-biotechnology belt, stated the report.
As many as 218 new biotech startups were added in 2025, taking the cumulative total to 1,451 startups, with over 75 per cent focused on life sciences and health-tech. Bengaluru accounts for about 54 per cent of startups, it stated.
Between January 2024 and October 2025, the report stated that Karnataka attracted USD 1.14 billion across around 40 deals spanning BioPharma, MedTech, precision fermentation, digital health and AgriBio.
Minister Kharge said, "With our BioEconomy crossing USD 39 billion and contributing over 10 per cent to our GSDP, biotechnology is no longer confined to laboratories - it is now a central driver of economic growth, industrial innovation and societal impact."
Our government's focus is on building a full-spectrum biomanufacturing economy by supporting deep-tech startups, strengthening innovation infrastructure, and ensuring that growth reaches beyond Bengaluru to every region of the state, said Kharge.
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