Bhubaneswar, Odisha: Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi today officially launched the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research & Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC). This groundbreaking initiative, spearheaded by the Science & Technology Department, aims to position Odisha as a global leader in marine biotechnology by fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable utilization of the state’s vast marine bioresources.
OMBRIC represents a strategic effort to harness the immense potential of Odisha’s 574 km coastline, rich in unexplored marine biodiversity, to drive economic growth, environmental conservation, and social development. The corridor provides a unique platform for young entrepreneurs and researchers to build cutting-edge marine biotech startups grounded in local resources but aligned with global standards. It spans the entire spectrum of marine biotechnology from gene discovery and extraction of bioactive compounds to bioremediation, nutraceutical development, and beyond translating laboratory breakthroughs into real-world applications that benefit both industry and society.
During the launch event, the Chief Minister emphasized Odisha’s ambition to evolve beyond a coastal state to becoming a “coastal innovator.” He aligned the initiative with the state’s broader development visions of Viksit Odisha 2036 and Viksit India 2047, underscoring OMBRIC’s potential as a beacon of scientific excellence and a significant contributor to India’s blue economy and sustainable development goals.
A major milestone in the launch was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Odisha’s Science & Technology Department and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India. Additionally, six premier academic and research institutions within Odisha—IIT Bhubaneswar, NIT Rourkela, IISER Berhampur, ILS Bhubaneswar, Berhampur University, and Fakir Mohan University have been designated as hubs for OMBRIC, each entrusted with specific research domains critical to the corridor’s success:
- IIT Bhubaneswar will lead comprehensive coastal bioresource mapping using advanced tools such as satellite imagery, GIS, remote sensing, and drone surveys to assess ecosystem health and capacity building.
- NIT Rourkela focuses on cultivating previously unculturable marine microorganisms and isolating novel bioactive compounds like enzymes, pigments, and antibiotics for pharmaceutical and industrial use.
- IISER Berhampur is tasked with gene discovery, structural analysis of marine bioactives, and upscaling production of high-value marine products through chemical engineering.
- ILS Bhubaneswar will establish a Marine Microbial Biorepository and publish the Odisha Marine Bio Resource Atlas featuring genetic footprints, promoting innovation and startup activities in blue technology.
- Berhampur University will map marine biodiversity and characterize metabolites from algae, seaweeds, fishes, and other marine life.
- Fakir Mohan University will develop commercial breeding technologies and scalable protocols for Indian horseshoe crabs and explore the application of bioactive compounds extracted from them.
OMBRIC is designed as a “lab-to-market” innovation ecosystem. Through intellectual property generation, incubation support, and entrepreneurial mentoring, it aims to accelerate the commercialization of research outputs, fostering a thriving community of marine biotech startups and contributing to Odisha’s industrial growth.
Beyond scientific research and economic development, OMBRIC places strong emphasis on community engagement and social impact. The initiative actively involves coastal populations by providing training, education, and participatory conservation programs, thereby fostering marine stewardship while enhancing livelihoods and promoting social equity.
Science and Technology Minister Shri Krushna Chandra Patra hailed OMBRIC as a blueprint for Odisha’s prosperous future, while Chief Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja and senior officials expressed strong confidence in the corridor’s transformative potential.
With OMBRIC, Odisha is poised to lead India’s blue economy revolution, blending sustainable innovation, biodiversity preservation, and inclusive growth to chart a resilient and prosperous future anchored in marine biotechnology.
