Gene editing represents one of modern biotechnology’s most revolutionary frontiers, offering unprecedented possibilities to treat genetic disorders and transform healthcare. In India, the gene editing sector stands at a critical inflection point in 2026, driven by converging factors including heightened patient awareness, evolution of indigenous technologies, and development of regulatory approval pathways.
The Indian government has signaled strong commitment through Biopharma Shakti, announced in the 2026 Budget with an allocation of ten thousand crore rupees over five years, specifically targeting biologics, biosimilars, and gene therapies. India has also launched the Sickle Cell Gene Editing mission and developed indigenous TnpB gene editing technology as an alternative to patented CRISPR platforms, reducing dependency on foreign intellectual property.
It is important to understand that most Indian companies in this space are not pure-play gene editing firms but rather diversified biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies integrating gene therapy and editing capabilities into broader portfolios. This article examines the top ten companies contributing to India’s gene editing ecosystem in 2026.
1. Biocon Limited
Biocon stands as India’s premier biopharmaceutical company and the most significant player in the gene therapy space. Founded in 1978 by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Biocon has evolved into a global innovation-led company with presence in over one hundred twenty countries. In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Biocon reported operating revenue of four thousand two hundred ninety-six crores with forty-two percent year-over-year growth.
Biocon announced a major breakthrough in gene therapy for hemophilia in 2023, with successful Phase III clinical trials showing significant patient outcome improvements. The company recently developed a novel gene editing tool enhancing CRISPR technology precision. Biocon’s recent capital raise of approximately one billion dollars through qualified institutional placements provides substantial resources for expanding gene therapy research.
The company is ranked among the top nine global employers in biotech and pharma by Science Careers magazine, the only Asian organization featured. With Biocon Biologics as a subsidiary and strategic partnerships with international research firms, Biocon maintains cutting-edge access to gene editing technologies. Chairman Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw emphasizes that India must move beyond manufacturing to become a source of original innovation in cell and gene therapies.
2. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories represents one of India’s most respected pharmaceutical companies with extensive involvement in gene therapy research and development. As a key player in the Indian gene therapy market, Dr. Reddy’s has invested significantly in developing gene-based treatments for genetic disorders including hemophilia, thalassemia, and muscular dystrophy.
The company maintains comprehensive research infrastructure and has established strategic collaborations with global biotechnology firms to advance gene therapy applications. Dr. Reddy’s approach combines strong pharmaceutical development capabilities with emerging gene editing technologies, positioning it to bring affordable gene therapies to Indian and global markets. The company’s established commercial operations across multiple markets provide revenue streams that support long-term research investments in gene editing technologies.
3. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, India’s largest pharmaceutical company by market capitalization, has made substantial commitments to gene therapy development. In 2023, Sun Pharma announced a strategic collaboration with a leading United States-based biotech firm to co-develop and commercialize gene therapy products specifically for the Indian market, accelerating availability of advanced gene therapies domestically.
The company’s financial strength and global reach provide significant advantages in the capital-intensive gene therapy sector. Sun Pharma has invested in building specialized research capabilities for biologics and cell-based therapies, creating infrastructure necessary for gene editing applications. The company benefits from India’s skilled scientific workforce and cost advantages, potentially enabling development of gene therapies at price points accessible to larger patient populations.
4. Gennova Biopharmaceuticals
Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, headquartered in Pune, represents a technology-driven company with deep expertise in recombinant DNA technologies. The company specializes in developing biotherapeutics for life-threatening diseases across cardiovascular, neurology, nephrology, oncology, and ophthalmology indications using bacterial, mammalian, and mRNA-based expression platforms.
Gennova gained prominence as a pioneer in mRNA technology, introducing India’s first mRNA vaccines including GEMCOVAC-19, the world’s first thermostable mRNA vaccine for COVID-19. This mRNA platform is now being applied to diseases including tuberculosis, Nipah virus, and rabies. Notably, Gennova’s CEO Dr. Sanjay Singh serves on the working group for Gene Therapy constituted jointly by the Department of Health Research and Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
Gennova has established a Product Development Laboratory under the National Biopharmaceutical Mission to enable transition from proof-of-concept to Phase III clinical trial material production. The company’s vision for 2030 includes developing world-class differentiated therapies ranging from cell and gene therapies to RNA-based treatments and precision medicine that can rival breakthroughs from advanced markets.
5. Zydus Cadila (Zydus Lifesciences)
Zydus Cadila, now operating as Zydus Lifesciences, ranks among India’s major pharmaceutical companies with significant investments in gene therapy research. The company has established itself as a key player in developing treatments for genetic disorders and has invested in building capabilities across biologics and advanced therapies.
Zydus maintains comprehensive research facilities and has pursued collaborations aimed at advancing gene editing applications. The company’s diversified portfolio provides financial stability supporting long-term research investments in emerging technologies including CRISPR-based gene editing. The company’s manufacturing capabilities and regulatory expertise in multiple markets position it to scale gene therapy production once products reach commercial stages.
6. Reliance Life Sciences
Reliance Life Sciences, part of the Reliance Group, represents a major biotechnology player with involvement in gene therapy research and development. The company has invested in building capabilities across genomics, stem cell research, and regenerative medicine, creating a foundation for gene editing applications.
Reliance Life Sciences benefits from backing of one of India’s largest and most financially robust conglomerates, providing access to capital necessary for long-term research in gene therapies. The company has established research infrastructure and has pursued collaborations with academic and research institutions to advance genetic medicine applications. The company’s strategic interest in cutting-edge biomedical technologies aligns with broader gene editing trends.
7. Genotypic Technology
Genotypic Technology represents India’s leading genomics solutions provider, specializing in Next Generation Sequencing and microarray services. Based in Bangalore, Genotypic provides critical infrastructure enabling gene editing research across India’s biotechnology sector. The company’s expertise in gene expression analysis, genomic profiling, and bioinformatics makes it indispensable to researchers working on gene editing applications.
Genotypic’s services include comprehensive DNA sequencing, RNA sequencing, whole genome sequencing, exome sequencing, and targeted gene panels. These capabilities are fundamental to identifying genetic targets for editing and validating outcomes of gene editing experiments. While Genotypic does not develop gene editing therapeutics directly, its role as an enabler of gene editing research throughout India’s biotechnology ecosystem makes it a critical player, helping democratize access to advanced genomics technologies.
8. CyGenica
CyGenica represents an innovative company revolutionizing therapeutic development through its non-viral, non-toxic platform for safe and targeted delivery of gene editing molecules. The company’s proprietary GEENIE technology, an engineered Molecular Nanomachine, enables precise intracellular delivery addressing critical challenges in gene therapies for diseases including cancer and cystic fibrosis.
One of the major obstacles in gene editing has been delivering editing machinery safely and efficiently into target cells without triggering immune responses or causing toxicity. CyGenica’s GEENIE platform addresses this fundamental challenge, potentially enabling gene editing therapies that have been limited by delivery constraints. As gene editing therapies advance toward clinical applications, effective delivery systems become increasingly critical for translating laboratory success into patient outcomes.
9. Clevergene
Clevergene dedicates itself to advancing gene editing and genomics through innovative technologies and artificial intelligence-driven analytics. The company focuses on enabling early detection of genetic disorders and developing high-yield crops and livestock through genomic approaches, operating state-of-the-art laboratories with expertise in next-generation DNA sequencing.
The company’s integration of artificial intelligence with genomics represents a forward-looking approach to gene editing applications. AI can identify optimal gene targets, predict editing outcomes, and analyze vast genomic datasets more efficiently than traditional methods. Clevergene’s work spans both human health applications and agricultural biotechnology, reflecting the dual potential of gene editing technologies.
10. 3B Blackbio Biomedical
3B Blackbio specializes in molecular diagnostics and provides advanced tools for identifying infectious diseases and cancer. The company’s work in genetic testing and diagnostics is closely tied to the gene editing ecosystem, enabling identification of genetic targets and monitoring of gene editing outcomes. By offering affordable and innovative diagnostic solutions, 3B Blackbio supports expansion of personalized medicine.
Molecular diagnostics represent an essential companion to gene editing therapies, enabling patient stratification, treatment monitoring, and assessment of editing efficacy and safety. As gene therapies advance, sophisticated diagnostic capabilities become increasingly important for identifying suitable patients, monitoring treatment responses, and ensuring safety. 3B Blackbio’s niche expertise makes it a key enabler in the gene editing value chain.
The Indian Gene Editing Landscape in 2026
India’s gene editing sector in 2026 exists within a dynamic regulatory environment guided by the Biological Diversity Act and Environmental Protection Act. The government has been developing draft guidelines specifically for genome-edited crops and therapeutic applications, with final comprehensive regulations awaited. The regulatory framework seeks to balance innovation enablement with appropriate safety oversight.
International companies including CRISPR Therapeutics, Editas Medicine, and Intellia Therapeutics are forging partnerships with Indian firms to access the country’s skilled workforce, cost advantages, and large patient populations for clinical trials. In October 2025, CRISPR Therapeutics announced a strategic partnership with a leading Indian biotechnology firm to develop gene therapies tailored for genetic disorders prevalent in the Indian population.
India’s indigenous TnpB gene editing technology, recently patented by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, represents a significant development. Using transposon-associated proteins much smaller than Cas9 or Cas12a enzymes, TnpB enables easier delivery through viral vectors without tissue culture requirements, lowering costs and simplifying genome editing. This indigenous technology eliminates intellectual property restrictions associated with CRISPR systems, making gene-edited crop development more affordable and scalable for Indian agriculture.
Collaborative efforts among stakeholders are significantly influencing market development. Partnerships between academic institutions, government agencies, and private companies are fostering innovation and accelerating gene editing technology development. As of 2025, collaborative projects in biotechnology saw a twenty percent rise in participation. The Western region of India, particularly Maharashtra, currently dominates the gene therapy market due to presence of leading biotechnology companies and significant research investments.
India’s gene editing sector faces both significant opportunities and challenges. The increasing prevalence of genetic disorders creates demand for innovative treatments. Approximately one out of twenty children admitted to hospitals in India has a genetic disorder, accounting for roughly one out of ten deaths. This creates a substantial patient population that could benefit from gene therapies.
Challenges include high costs of research and development, complex regulatory pathways still under development, public perception and ethical concerns around gene editing, and competition from established international players with deeper resources. Opportunities abound in India’s burgeoning biotechnology sector, supported by a skilled workforce, increasing investments, and government support. India’s positioning within the global market is significant as it can serve as a hub for affordable gene editing solutions catering to both domestic and international demands.
Conclusion
India’s gene editing landscape in 2026 represents a sector at the cusp of transformation rather than an established industry. The companies featured demonstrate diverse approaches, from large pharmaceutical companies like Biocon, Dr. Reddy’s, and Sun Pharma integrating gene therapies into broad portfolios, to specialized players like Gennova with deep expertise in recombinant technologies, to enablers like Genotypic Technology and CyGenica providing critical infrastructure and delivery mechanisms.
Government support through initiatives like Biopharma Shakti signals long-term commitment to advancing from generic drug manufacturing to cutting-edge biological therapies. Indigenous technology development like the TnpB system demonstrates ambitions to reduce foreign dependency and create homegrown innovations. While India’s gene editing sector remains developmental compared to the United States, China, or Europe, the foundations being laid in 2026 position the country for significant future contributions.
The combination of scientific talent, cost advantages, large patient populations for clinical development, growing investment climate, and government support creates potential for India to emerge as a major gene editing hub serving both domestic needs and global markets. As these companies continue advancing research, building capabilities, and navigating regulatory pathways, India moves closer to translating gene editing’s promise into tangible health outcomes for patients suffering from genetic disorders. The journey from laboratory innovation to widely accessible gene therapies remains long, but India’s gene editing sector in 2026 shows clear momentum toward that transformative goal.
