Finance
The Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research & Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC), an ambitious project of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Odisha, was launched on Tuesday by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in a significant step towards marine biotechnology and sustainable coastal development.
This project has enormous potential to enhance livelihoods for local residents in coastal areas, promote science-based tourism, safeguard the environment, and generate investment and jobs.
At Lok Seva Bhawan, the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Odisha, and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for R&D cooperation. Six Odisha universities also inked Memorandums of Understanding with the state government to support the initiative’s R&D.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Majhi stated that this unique platform will become a beacon of hope for the scientific community and for innovation — not only in Odisha but across the nation and the world. He emphasised that it has the potential to transform the blue economy and significantly contribute to the nation’s economic growth.
“At a time when the world is turning to the oceans for solutions to some of our most pressing challenges — from sustainable food systems to climate resilience — Odisha is taking a bold and visionary step forward,” the Chief Minister said.
The CM stated that OMBRIC is more than simply a research program; it is a platform where young Odisha entrepreneurs can create marine biotech businesses based on regional resources and international standards, in line with the goals of Viksit Odisha 2036 and Viksit Bharat 2047.
He also emphasized how OMBRIC links research to practical applications and the lab to the land. The program covers the whole pipeline of marine biotechnology innovation, from gene discovery to bioactive compounds, from bioremediation to nutraceuticals, which eventually results in the creation of jobs, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.
Expressing confidence in the initiative, the CM affirmed, “Odisha is no longer just a coastal state. Odisha now aspires to be a coastal innovator. We are not merely blessed by nature; we are investing in nature-based solutions. We are harnessing our biodiversity not by exploiting it, but by preserving, understanding, and responsibly utilising it.”
Recognising the state’s geographic advantage and the strength of its academic and research institutions, the CM said, “We have initiated an alliance of knowledge, research, and innovation to explore the unseen gifts and threats of this coast with the help of biotechnology.”
Odisha has enormous potential in marine biotechnology, according to Science and Technology Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, who also promised that the state would do everything in its power to investigate and advance this field in order to spur growth. He referred to OMBRIC as a blueprint for future prosperity.
Manoj Ahuja, the chief secretary, also spoke to the audience. Additional Secretary Puja Mishra gave the vote of gratitude after Science and Technology Principal Secretary Chithra Arumugam greeted the visitors.
It is noteworthy that, recognising the vast potential of Odisha’s 574 km-long coastline rich in unexplored marine bioresources, the Department of Science & Technology has conceptualised OMBRIC as a pioneering initiative to position Odisha as a global leader in marine biotechnology and Blue Economy development.
To ensure targeted and high-impact implementation, six premier institutions in Odisha have been selected as hubs for OMBRIC based on their scientific expertise and regional relevance. Each institution will lead specific components of OMBRIC aligned with their areas of specialisation and the state’s strategic needs:
- IIT Bhubaneswar – Comprehensive mapping and monitoring of Odisha’s coastal marine bioresources using satellite imagery, GIS, remote sensing, drone surveys, etc., along with assessment of coastal ecosystem health and capacity building.
- NIT Rourkela – Cultivation of previously unculturable marine microorganisms and extraction of novel bioactive compounds (enzymes, pigments, antibiotics, etc.) with pharmaceutical and industrial applications.
- IISER Berhampur – Discovery and characterisation of novel genes and marine bioactive compounds; structural elucidation and upscaling of high-value marine products through chemical engineering.
- ILS Bhubaneswar – Establishment of a Marine Microbial Biorepository, publication of an Odisha Marine Bioresource Atlas with Genetic Footprints, and promotion of innovation and startup activities in blue technology.
- Berhampur University – Marine biodiversity mapping and metabolite characterisation of marine algae, seaweeds, fish, and other marine fauna.
- Fakir Mohan University – Development of commercial breeding technologies and scalable protocols for the breeding of Indian horseshoe crabs, along with translational applications of bioactive compound extraction.
Most importantly, OMBRIC is built to convert innovative research into real economic benefits. Research outputs will be transformed into products that are ready for the market through the creation of intellectual property (IP), incubation assistance, and entrepreneurial mentoring, fostering the growth of marine biotech startups and businesses. The goal of this “lab-to-market” pipeline is to create a long-term environment for Odisha’s innovation-driven marine industrialization.
OMBRIC prioritizes social effect and community involvement in addition to improving scientific research. Through education, training, and participatory conservation, the project seeks to engage coastal communities, promoting marine stewardship while improving social justice and local livelihoods.
The occasion was also attended by the Director of NIOT, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, and the vice chancellors and directors of the six partner universities: IIT Bhubaneswar, Berhampur University, Fakir Mohan University, NIT Rourkela, IISER Berhampur, and ILS Bhubaneswar.
