Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre reposted this
Minister of Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj | Member of Legislative Assembly, Chittapur, Karnataka
A fire broke out early Tuesday at the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC), a state-of-the-art bio-incubation facility under the Government of Karnataka. The incident caused significant damage to critical infrastructure, including the Bangalore Bio Bank, cleanroom facilities, flow cytometry labs, and HVAC systems. Several incubated startups also suffered losses to their equipment, consumables, and intellectual property. My department and I held a priority meeting with the startups affected by the fire at the BBC to address their immediate concerns and discuss how we can help them recover swiftly. I assure them that we are already in the process of finalizing alternate spaces so they can resume operations as soon as possible. In addition, we are assessing the procurement of common equipment to support their immediate needs. Each startup’s situation will be carefully examined to understand the extent of the damage, and tailored assistance will be provided. To further support their recovery, we are exploring ways in which current policies, CSR initiatives, and corporate funding can be utilized to mitigate their losses. Recognizing the challenges of navigating insurance claims, we will provide necessary assistance to ensure a smoother process. Additionally, we are working on forming a consultation team of life sciences infrastructure experts to assess the damage to facilities and provide a realistic timeline for reconstruction efforts. Karnataka’s leadership in biotech innovation, production, and exports is built on the dedication and hard work of these startups. While the loss of critical innovations and intellectual property is a significant setback, we are fully committed to helping them rebuild. My government, along with the industry ecosystem, stands firmly with these innovators and we will do everything possible to ensure they recover quickly.