India is home to one of the world’s fastest growing biotech scenes, forecasted to reach $300 billion by 2030 at an annual growth rate of about 17 percent. It’s also one of the largest suppliers of low-cost drugs and vaccines, as well as an epicenter for bioagricultural innovation. The following Chennai-based companies contribute to the country’s biotech boom.
Top Biotech Companies
- Pfizer
- AstraZeneca
- GreenPod Labs
- Seagrass Technologies
- XCode Life Sciences
- Icon Clinical Research
- LifeCell International
- Kemin Industries
- Symbionic
- Transasia Bio-Medicals
Biotech Companies in Chennai to Know
GeneX India Bioscience started as a distributor of cell culture products and has since expanded its portfolio of products to include molecular reagents and tools for epigenetics. The biotech company also offers services ranging from gene and peptide synthesis to custom antibody generation to proteomics analysis and beyond.
Eucare Pharmaceuticals is a bio-pharmaceutical company that develops collagen-based tech and drug delivery systems. The company, founded in 1996, is known for its surgical hemostat devices of absorbable gelatin and collagen sponges. Its products include treatments for burns, wounds and scars, as well as nanotech-enabled dental products that enable tissue and bone regeneration.
Transasia Bio-Medicals develops and manufactures medical devices for clinical, in-vitro diagnostics to more than 100 countries. From fluid analyzers to pipettes, the company’s focus areas include coagulation, critical care, diabetes, immunology, urinalysis and molecular medicines.
Seagrass Technologies is a biotech startup developing eco-friendly harvesting methods to produce microalgal biomass. Its platform uses non-potable water and tsunami-prone land to produce carbon-dioxide capturing crops that are also the essential ingredients in the company’s product line of algae-powder nutritional supplements.
Global biopharma corporation Pfizer develops medicine within the areas of immunology, oncology, cardiology, endocrinology and neurology. Founded in 1848, the company specializes in vaccines (including its well-known Covid-19 vaccine), internal medicine, inflammation, immunology and rare diseases. In Chennai, Pfizer operates a research and development center for small molecules that provides technical support.
LifeCell International is a stem cell and tissue storage bank that provides genetic screening tests, therapeutic products and access to its stem cell registry. The biotech company combines modern cellular science with traditional Ayurvedic practices in the creation of its personal care products, ranging from sperm collection kits and female fertility hormone tests to human placental-based dressings for wound management.
Founded in 2006, Cryoviva Biotech is a multinational biotech company that specializes in umbilical cord blood stem cell processing and storage for private and public banking. Its services include cryopreservation, customized therapy solutions, bone marrow processing and cell culture expansion. In Chennai, the firm operates its marketing office.
Spinco Biotech is a distributor of analytical and life science instrumentation that has been in operation since 1981. Its products profile include chromatography, spectrometry, bioresearch, process tech and lab wares.
Multinational pharma and biotech company AstraZeneca develops products to treat major diseases, with special focus in oncology, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, respiratory, immunology and rare conditions. India-based operations for the company began in 1979, and its Global Technology Center, which supplies end-to-end tech solutions, is based in Chennai.
AcrannoLife Genomics is a biotech startup that makes a non-invasive diagnostic test named Trunome-Tx, which monitors chronic and infectious diseases with a blood sample. This tech is specialized to help organ recipients in their post-transplant recovery and long-term health.
Amura is an online clinic that delivers natural molecule therapies designed to reduce or reverse chronic conditions. Its areas of focus include metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes, high cholesterol, polycystic ovary syndrome, hypertension, artery blockages, autoimmune disorders and asthma.
Symbionic is a biotech startup developing high-tech, low-cost bionic prosthesis for people with missing limbs. Its flagship product, Titan, is a multi-articulated bionic arm that enables the user to partake in 90 percent of typical daily activities.
Vasta Biotech is a biotech company that produces functional food ingredients, additives and nutraceuticals. Its team of food and dairy technologists, biochemists and microbiologists offer product testing, analysis, consultancy and scientific backing to support marketing claims.
GreenPod Labs is an agri-biotech firm that makes bioactive sachets with built-in defense mechanisms designed to reduce spoilage by prolonging the shelf-life of produce. Made from organic plant extracts, the packaging material minimizes microbial growth and extends freshness by 10 to 12 days.
Icon Clinical Research is a consultancy firm specializing in pharma, biotech and medical instrumentation-related services. Whether a client needs help deploying a new drug or product, managing clinical trials or achieving regulatory clearance, Icon Clinical Research’s end-to-end solutions are built to help clients expedite the process.
Kemin Industries is a supplier of functional ingredients designed to protect multiple aspects of the global food supply chain, covering animal nutrition and vaccines, sustainable aquaculture feed production, eco-friendly textiles as well as human and pet health. The company carries out its services by providing custom-made equipment, training and in-house testing.
XCode Life Sciences is a personal genomics company that provides comprehensive analysis from raw genetic data. Using results from all major ancestry and health genetic companies, the preventative healthcare platform generates health-related reports — from diet and fitness to drug sensitivities and cancer risk — within 24 hours of submission.
Solara Active Pharma Sciences is a pure-play manufacturer of active pharmaceutical ingredients that cover a wide range of therapeutic treatments, from polymer-based components to injectables. Founded in 2018, the company runs its research and innovation center out of Chennai, and supplies medicine to patients in more than 75 countries.
Biocon is an international biopharma company delivering generics, biosimilars, research services and biologics in over 120 countries. The company aims to find new and affordable therapies to treat incurable diseases, with a focus on diabetes, cancer and autoimmune diseases.
