The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) was set up by the Government of India under the Ministry of Science and Technology in 1986 with the aim of enhancing the Biotech Industry in India. Since then there is no looking behind and DBT has produced one of the best scientists of the country since its establishment. India has become the Hub of Biotechnology since the last decade and has become the main center of attraction for global investments due to the skilled and knowledgeable manpower available in India.Due to the rich resources available, India has become one of the major areas for setting manufacturing units and Research laboratories by the MNC’s. Success of Biotechnology industry in India was a difficult one in the early stages due to the long research period and limited funding. The investors remained away from this industry for a long time period but once Biotech industry made its market presence, funds from investors flowed like rivers in this sector.In the next five years, biotechnology sector is expected for an investment of 7 to 8 billions which can result in a turnover of Rs. 9 to 10 billions. Biotechnology is a dynamic field which is inherited from various disciplines such as Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Cytology, Chemistry, Pharmacology, Bioinformatics and impacting important areas such as Medicine, Agriculture and environment.

Role of Biotechnology in Medicines

The field of medicine has reached a new high after the introduction of Bio-Technology in this field. Normal medicines has the capability to cure the symptoms of various diseases, but biotechnological process in combination with pharmacology have the capability to develop proteins and molecules which helps in providing a permanent cure for the disease. Microorganisms are used to produce insulin, human growth factors,blood clotting factors, fertility drugs,antibiotics, vaccines and enzymes which can be used to permanently cure human diseases.Gene theraphy can be used in curing genetic diseases which involves replacing defective genes which may or maynot be tranmitted to the next generation.Diseases like AIDS, Cancer, sickle cells Diseases like AIDS, cancer, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and many more can be detected and treated with the advanced technologies provided by Biotechnology.

Role of Biotechnology in Agriculture

The production of high yielding and disease resistant crops through biotechnological concepts has boosted India’s Agriculture sector. New genes can be inserted to the plants which helps in generating more nutritious fruits and vegetables. Their color and size too can be manipulated by replacing defective genes or incorporating new genes. Disease resistant crops can also be produced with the help of Biotechnology by injecting Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) gene in the crops. The toxin acts as a metabolism and causes the death of the pest. Now we can enjoy our favorite fruits, vegetables and flowers throughout the year without waiting for the particular season with the help of Biotechnology.India is the second largest food producer after China and offers a huge market for Biotechnology products Transgenics of rice,brassica, moonbean, pigeonpea, cotton, tomato and some vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower. Genetically engineered seed market was estimated at $250 million from a total seed market worth US$ 500 millions in 2001.

Role of Biotechnology in Environment

Environment around us is undergoing alot of changes due to the large ammount of pollutants and climatic changes acoss the globe In  order to have healthy environment around us it is necessary that the environment should be clean and healthy and Biotechnology has played a vital role in improving the environment by controlliing the oil spills in coastal regions and petroleum leakage in water bodies by incorporating microorganisms that can degarde the harmful products.

In the year 2006 India was ranked 3rd in the South Eastern Asis region after Korea and Japan on the basis of Biotech industries.India has about 280 companies in this particular sector.Indian Biotech industry has achieved a market value of Rs. 6521 crore(US$ 1.45) by registering a growth of 37.42% and is estimated to grow to US$ 5 billion by the year 2010.India’s biological and population mixture has played an important and vital role in the areas of research and drug discovery in Biotech sector.India's biotechnology industry is just 1.1 % of world's Biotech industry but the pace with which the industry is growing, India's biotech industry will become one of the prominent leaders in this field in the coming decades.Bangalore has emerged as the largest Biotech hub in India with a total annual sales of about Rs. 1400 crore. There are about 175 companies working in different areas of bioagri, bioindustrial, bioservices, nutraceutical, biopharma, bioinformatics, herbal products and biosuppliers.Some of the achievements of Biotechnology sector in India is as follows:-

• Biotech Industry has  registered a growth of 37.42%  per annum
• Biotech industry has reached US$ 1.5 billion
• Bioservices has reached US$ 160 million
• Bioagri sector has crossed US$ 130 million
• Biopharma has reached US$ 1 billion

The following is the list of Top 10 Biotech companies in India

1. Biocon
2. Serum Institute of India
3. Panacea Biotec
4. Piramal Healthcare
5. Wockhadrt Limited
6. GlaxoSmithKline
7. Bharat Serum
8. Krebs Biochemicals and Industries Limited
9. Cadila Healthcare
10. Indian Immunologicals

The following  graph shows the turnover of some of the Biotech Companies during the Quarter Ended, June 2008.