CSIR IITR CITAR Bionest

🎉 Tech for tomorrow: Celebrating YANTRA at CSIR-IITR: Powering the Future with Innovation & Insight! 🎉
On May 20, 2025, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR) proudly celebrated National Technology Day, an occasion that honors India’s technological advancements and the incredible contributions of our scientific community! This year's celebration was under the inspiring theme “YANTRA – Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration,” reflecting our commitment to driving innovation and progress through cutting-edge research.

We were honored by the presence of distinguished guests:
🌟 Mr. Aashutosh Bhardwaj, Founder & CEO of Techie Amigos and ProvenienceX
🌟 Ms. Anandi Agarwal, Chairperson of the Women Entrepreneur Cell, Indian Industries Association
Dr. R. Parthasarathi, our program coordinator, warmly welcomed everyone and shared the vision behind this initiative, commending India's technological progress and the nation's "Operation Sindoor" initiative. We had an enthusiastic participation of over 100 students, who actively engaged in a day of diverse and insightful sessions!

💡 A Key Highlight: Unveiling TATVA! 💡
We were thrilled to unveil TATVA – Testing, Analysis, and Training through Value-Added Internship Program! This innovative initiative aims to offer students practical, hands-on training and skill development opportunities, effectively bridging the gap between academic learning and industry demands. The program was presided over by Dr. Bhaskar Narayan, Director of CSIR-IITR, who delivered an inspiring address highlighting the importance of National Technology Day and the crucial role research institutions play in nation-building.

Proud moment for TDIC@CSIR-IITR: Strengthening India’s Biotech & Innovation Ecosystem!
As part of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations at CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Lucknow, we are proud to share the inauguration of one of the BioNEST operational facility under TDIC @ CSIR-IITR, dedicated to supporting biotechnology-based start-ups, fostering research collaborations, and translational innovations. This milestone event was graced by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions.
In a significant push toward scientific advancement and societal impact, Dr. Jitendra Singh also launched several pioneering innovations developed under TDIC-CSIR-IITR, reinforcing CSIR-IITR’s role as a leader in health, nutrition, and emergency preparedness:
🔹 Apatkaleen AHAAR – A shelf-stable, high-nutrition food solution designed specifically for disaster relief and emergency preparedness, ensuring sustenance in crisis situations.
🔹 NFit (Nutritious Food in Tablets) – A compact super food tablet formulated to enhance endurance and cognitive performance, designed for high-stress environments, including space missions.
🔹 MIL-FiT (Millet-enriched All-in-One Tablets) – A high-fibre, protein-rich food supplement, catering to the nutritional needs of trekkers, adventurers, defense personnel, and individuals operating in extreme and remote locations.
🔹Further strengthening industry-academia collaboration, a Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed with M/s Conway Water Purifier Private Limited, Coimbatore, for the knowhow transfer of Oneer® – an electronic device for the disinfection of drinking water. This marks a step forward in addressing safe water accessibility through indigenous technology.
CSIR-IITR developed technology available for commercialization (SenzSCAn – A Point-of-Care Chromogenic Sensor for the rapid, cost-effective detection of Sickle Cell Anaemia, particularly beneficial for early screening in underserved and rural regions).
As part of this initiative, three new startups were inducted into BioNEST @ TDIC-CSIR-IITR, further strengthening the institute’s role in nurturing biotech entrepreneurship and fostering innovation-driven growth. These startups will leverage CSIR-IITR’s expertise, infrastructure, and mentorship to develop novel solutions addressing critical challenges in healthcare, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability.
We look forward to continued collaboration and advancements from various stakeholders to contribute to Atmanirbhar Bharat and global scientific progress.
# BioNEST

We're proud to share that one of our incubated start-up under BioNEST @ CSIR IITR Lucknow has been recognized with the prestigious Millionaire Farmer Award, presented by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Krishi Jagran at PUSA ICAR, New Delhi.
This achievement reflects their dedication and innovation, and we are proud to support their journey and look forward to the continued success ahead!

# DBT-Birac CSIR, India

🌟 BioNEST -Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow participated at the ISBACON 2024 conference held at T-Hub and AIC-CCMB-IICT, Hyderabad from 17th to 19th October 2024. ISBA, the pan-India network of business incubators, brings together incubators and other ecosystem players for meaningful networking and partnership-building.
This gathering brought together a vibrant mix of incubators, policymakers, and start-up ecosystem enablers, creating a bridge between generations of expertise. It was an incredible opportunity to learn from both experienced leaders and innovative young minds.
By attending ISBACON 2024 and becoming a member of ISBA, we look forward to strengthening the CAiRES and GAIN platforms at TDIC@IITR, increasing our portfolio, expanding our network, and accelerating knowledge exchange. We're excited about the possibilities for new collaborations as the highlight of the event was “Collaboration is the new competition”.
Grateful for the experience, and eager to apply these insights to further enhance our innovation journey and supporting the ecosystem. 🚀 # DBT-Birac CSIR, India -aic-ccmb

Glimpses of the BioNEST -IITR, Lucknow Participation in the Global Bio India 2024!!!:

Fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and powerful networking. Let’s connect and create!

BioNEST @ CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Technology Development and Innovation Center (TDIC), a bio-incubation and translational research ecosystem, represented at the Global Bio India 2024 held from 12th to 14th September 2024 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The event was organized by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) - Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. The three-day exhibition and expo pavilion of the Indian Biotechnology ecosystem was a mega congregation of biotech stakeholders including national and international delegates representing Industry, Startups, SMEs, Central & State Governments, Departments, Academic and Research Organizations, Incubation Centres, Investors, National & International Associations and other agencies. The event attracted huge number of participants, entrepreneurs and students across the nation who visited and interacted with the exhibition pavilion team of BioNEST @ CSIR-IITR. The expo pavilion showcased the incubation and translational research activities and exhibited the services offered to startups and MSMEs for nurturing bio-innovations. The representation and participation actively engaged around 60 start-ups/ companies in the niche domain and about 1100 visitors to build ahead strategic interactions and collaborations.
Three of our incubated start-ups, M/s Nutty Village, M/s Esniff Devices Private Limited and M/s BioDimension Technology Pvt. Ltd. also participated in the event with a separate expo pavilion that attracted a good number of interactions and collaborations. M/s BioDimension Technology Pvt. Ltd. shortlisted at national level for the specially dedicated “Cell and Gene Therapy” pavilion at the event.
Additionally, TDIC @ CSIR-IITR also engaged with other BIRAC supported incubation centers to strengthen the overall incubation ecosystem and collaboration opportunities. Ecosystem partnering with KIIT-TBI, Bhubaneshwar, BioNEST -BHU, Varanasi, BioNEST-Guwahati, IIT-Mandi, Panjab University, IIIM-Jammu and VIT-Vellore was the highlight of the event. By fostering these connections, we aim to build a more coherent network that enhances opportunities for startups and drives collective growth in the biotechnology sector.
Another major highlight of the event was establishment of partnership with KIIT-TBI, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This collaboration would strengthen the activities of the Technology Development and Innovation Centre (TDIC), CSIR-IITR, with KIIT-TBI to support start-ups and entrepreneurship development. Both organizations would leverage their bio-incubation expertise to strengthen technology development, support bio incubator networks across the country, and work in the areas of smart proteins, functional food and biomanufacturing. A formal MOU was exchanged by Dr. Bhaskar Narayan, Director, CSIR-IITR, with Dr. Mrutyunjay Suar, Chief Executive Officer, KIIT-TBI, on 13th September 2024 during the event. Dr. R Parthasarathi, Scientist-In charge, TDIC, briefly elaborated on the collaboration and initiated the MOU exchange in the session in GBI-2024 along with TDIC and KIIT-TBI teams.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to BIRAC Global Bio India 2024 team for providing TDIC@CSIR-IITR with the platform to highlight our collective efforts in supporting biotech startups, Bio innovations and promoting Biomanufacturing for supporting and underpinning the Bioeconomy of our nation.