TDB-DST Supports M/s K. N. Biosciences for Commercialization of Indigenous C-Phycocyanin Production

Strengthening India’s capabilities in biotechnology-based sustainable manufacturing, the Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, has extended financial assistance to M/s K. N. Biosciences (India) Private Limited, Hyderabad, for the project titled “Production of C-Phycocyanin using Spirulina sp. as a Cell Factory.” The project aims to commercialize an indigenous technology for producing high-value C-phycocyanin, a natural blue pigment with applications across the food, nutraceutical, agriculture, aquaculture, poultry feed, and biostimulant sectors, while reducing India’s dependence on imported natural colorants.

The technology has been developed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati using an indigenous Spirulina strain (NCIM 5143) and has been transferred to the company through a formal Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement for commercial production.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB, stated, “India’s bioeconomy presents immense opportunities to transform indigenous research into globally competitive products. Technologies such as this demonstrate how scientific innovation can create sustainable alternatives to imported specialty ingredients while promoting green manufacturing and value-added biotechnology.

Expressing gratitude for the support, the leadership of M/s K. N. Biosciences (India) Private Limited stated that the assistance from TDB will enable the company to establish commercial-scale production facilities and accelerate the market deployment of high-quality indigenous C-phycocyanin. (UPDATED ON 16TH JULY 2026)