Bengaluru: India’s biotechnology sector is entering a fast growth phase, and experts believe it could soon deliver global breakthrough treatments. In a podcast, host Shutapa Paul spoke with Dr Jogin Desai, Founder and CEO of Eyestem, about how the industry is moving from slow progress to life-changing innovation.

Paul said, “Eyestem is among a few companies working on therapies that could reverse blindness caused by dry AMD, which could change millions of lives.”

Dr Desai explained that the future of medicine is changing quickly. He said, “Our goal is to bring a new therapy for an incurable disease every two to three years once we reach commercialisation. Earlier, such treatments took decades, but now the cycle is becoming much faster.” Eyestem is also working on diseases like retinitis pigmentosa, pulmonary fibrosis, and Parkinson’s. He added, “We are not just trying to slow diseases; we want to reverse them.”

India is also supporting this growth with new policies like the Biopharma SHAKTI programme. Dr Desai said, “India is investing at a time when some Western countries are reducing research funding, creating a big opportunity.” However, he noted challenges: “In India, most research funding comes from the government, which can slow innovation.”

He also pointed out delays in approvals, saying, “Waiting months for approvals reduces speed, while countries like the US decide much faster.”

Looking ahead, Dr Desai said, “India should aim to create global blockbuster drugs.” He also highlighted affordable innovation: “Our goal is to reduce therapy costs to below $15,000.”

Watch Link:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Pw1dX6TU0gM

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6lpqa8IebrTLg6kMVWcFYv?si=xIq4VW3aSqyYNtFoP9XnXQ