In a move set to reshape India’s veterinary and livestock innovation landscape, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today inaugurated the country’s first Animal Stem Cell Biobank at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB). The 9,300 sq. ft facility — built at a cost of Rs 1.85 crore and equipped with 3D bioprinting, advanced cryostorage, and dedicated culture labs — is designed to power breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, reproductive biotechnology, and livestock disease modeling.

Funded under the National Biopharma Mission (DBT–BIRAC), the Biobank will collect, store, and distribute animal stem cells and their derivatives, enabling both academic and commercial research. NIAB says the facility is a critical step toward closing the gap between human and animal stem cell applications, and positioning India as a global player in veterinary biotech.

Alongside the Biobank’s debut, Dr. Singh also laid the foundation for a Rs 19.98 crore hostel and residential complex to bolster NIAB’s research ecosystem. He unveiled five new low-cost, field-ready diagnostics — from Mastitis and Brucellosis detection kits to rapid antimicrobial sensitivity tests — aimed at reducing livestock disease burden and boosting farm productivity.

The Minister credited the BioE3 Policy for catalyzing India’s biotech ambitions, predicting that regenerative and genetic processes will form the backbone of the country’s future economy. “With these innovations, we are not just treating animals — we are building the foundation for an Evergreen Revolution in animal husbandry,” he said.

NIAB Director Dr. Taru Sharma called the Biobank “a transformative step in veterinary research,” noting its potential to attract collaborations, spur commercialization, and ultimately lift agricultural GDP through healthier, more productive livestock.