Bharat Biotech co-founder inaugurates VIT Chennai biotech conclave showcasing India's life sciences future

VIT Chennai, The Hindu Biotech Conclave to throw spotlight on opportunities shaping the future of life sciences

Bharat Biotech's co-founder and managing director Suchitra Ella will inaugurate a day-long gathering in Chennai designed to connect students and researchers with the evolving landscape of biotechnology, from gene editing to India's expanding role in global biopharmaceuticals.

The VIT Chennai, The Hindu Biotech Conclave 2026, being held in Chennai, will bring together leading experts, industry leaders and academicians for a dialogue on the growing role of biotechnology in shaping the future. Conceived as a student-centric platform, the conclave seeks to introduce higher secondary students, undergraduates, researchers and biotechnology aspirants to the opportunities, challenges and real-world impact of biotechnology.

Leadership vision and inauguration

The programme will be presided over by G. Viswanathan, founder and chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), with G. V. Selvam, Vice-President, VIT, delivering the special address. Speaking about the conclave, Mr. Selvam said, "Biotechnology represents one of the most consequential frontiers of education and research, with the power to improve lives and address some of society's most urgent challenges". He added, "Through this conclave, VIT Chennai aims to encourage students to see biotechnology not only as a field of study, but as a pathway to innovation, enterprise and meaningful service to humanity".

The opening session will feature a direct interaction between students and Ms. Ella, offering participants an opportunity to engage with one of India's leading biotechnology entrepreneurs and gain insights from her experience. Ms. Ella also serves as CII-president designate.

Technology convergence and gene editing

A panel discussion on the convergence of technology and biotechnology will bring together Ganapathy, honorary distinguished professor, IIM Jammu, distinguished professor, The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and emeritus professor, National Academy of Medical Sciences; Mayur Abhaya, managing director, LifeCell International; and Shridevi S, deputy director, Centre for NeuroInformatics, VIT Chennai. The session will be moderated by Zubeda Hamid, senior assistant editor, The Hindu.

The panel on gene editing and precision medicine will focus on advances in genomics, clinical genetics and personalised healthcare. Vinod Scaria, chief data officer, Karkinos Healthcare; Kalpana Gowrishankar, clinical geneticist and counselor, Apollo Hospitals; and G. Jayaraman, dean, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT Chennai, will discuss the movement of gene-based technologies from laboratories into clinical and public health contexts, in conversation with Geetha Srimathi. S, senior reporter, The Hindu.

India's biopharma landscape and funding ecosystem

A session on India's emergence as a global biopharma hub will explore the country's growing role in the global biopharmaceutical landscape and the opportunities shaping its future. Maneesh Paul, CEO, Microvioma, lead co-inventor and program director of the anti-infective Enmetazobactam, Orchid Pharma; Vasan Sambandamurthy, senior vice-president, Bugworks Research India Pvt Ltd; and M. M. Balamurali, Professor, Centre for Healthcare Advancement, Innovation and Research, VIT Chennai, will join Athira Elssa Johnson, senior reporter, The Hindu.

The funding landscape for biotech research in India will be explored by Ajay Mahipal, co-founder and general partner, HealthKois, in conversation with Serena Josephine M, special correspondent, The Hindu. The discussion will examine capital, institutional support and venture-building ecosystems.

Research and innovation ecosystem

The last session will feature K. VijayRaghavan, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, in conversation with Jacob Koshy, Science Editor, The Hindu. It will explore India's research and innovation ecosystem, its evolution, key opportunities and the role it can play in shaping the future of biotechnology and life sciences.

The Biotech Conclave 2026 brings students into direct conversation with experts and thought leaders, offering them a closer look at the latest developments, emerging opportunities and diverse career pathways in biotechnology, spanning research, healthcare innovation, enterprise and public good. The event can be watched live by scanning the QR code or visiting https://newsth.live/VITBTCLS.

Source: The Hindu