biotechnology

European investors are injecting capital into a Colombian biotechnology company with plans to produce 250 million vaccines. The deal positions Colombia as a growing player in global vaccine manufacturing and reflects Europe's interest in diversifying pharmaceutical production capacity beyond its borders, though details on the funding amount and timeline remain limited.

Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh said India will be an essential player in the next industrial revolution, which he described as being driven by biotechnology and artificial intelligence. The statement, issued through the government's press bureau, frames India as a key contributor to emerging technologies, positioning the country's biotech and AI sectors as central to its future economic growth.

Researchers report that combining machine learning with molecular scaffold engineering has significantly increased production of a drug molecule originally derived from licorice. The approach uses computational models to optimize biosynthesis, potentially making plant-derived pharmaceuticals cheaper and more sustainable to manufacture. The work highlights how AI tools are being applied to speed up drug compound production in biotechnology.

Commentary is highlighting gene editing technology as a promising answer to food insecurity worldwide. The piece argues that tools allowing precise changes to crops and livestock could help farmers produce more food under difficult conditions, including climate pressure and shrinking resources. It adds to an ongoing debate over how gene-edited foods should be regulated and accepted by the public.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated a Rs 60 crore recombinant cells facility at the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC). The new facility is expected to boost India's biotechnology research capacity, supporting work on recombinant cell technology used in medicines and vaccines. The inauguration was reported by national media, highlighting the government's continued investment in science and biotech infrastructure.

Researchers are using machine learning to identify previously unknown gene regulatory switches across the fungal tree of life, according to a new report. The approach could help scientists understand how fungi control gene expression in different species, with potential applications in biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture. The work highlights how AI tools are increasingly being applied to comparative genomics and biology.

BioTech New Zealand has announced the formation of a new engineering biology group, aimed at advancing the emerging field of engineered biology in the country. The initiative is expected to bring together industry, researchers and policymakers to support development and commercialisation of biotechnology in New Zealand.

Plantik Biosciences and Hudson River Biotechnology have announced a partnership to develop strawberry varieties that can withstand rising temperatures, aiming to de-risk development of heat-tolerant fruit crops. The collaboration pairs Plantik's crop-breeding technology with Hudson River Biotechnology's plant cell engineering platform, as agriculture faces mounting pressure from climate change.

Endpoints News has announced the winners of its 2026 Endpoints 11 Awards, an annual list honoring the most promising startups in biotechnology. The awards spotlight early-stage biotech companies considered the most exciting in the industry, drawing attention from investors, researchers and life-science professionals tracking which emerging firms could shape the next wave of drug development.

Former Genentech artificial intelligence staff have launched Ortet, a new health-focused startup, backed by $500 million in funding. The company will apply AI to drug discovery and healthcare development, drawing on the founders' experience at one of the world's leading biotechnology firms. The large initial funding round makes Ortet one of the most heavily financed health AI launches to date.

AllyGPO has won a Stevie Award for Technology Excellence in the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology category. The recognition honours the company's technology work serving the healthcare group purchasing sector. The announcement was made via press release, and details on the specific product or project recognised were not provided.