An exclusive Centre for Alternate Protein Research (CAPR) has been set up at the University of Hyderabad (UoH). The Centre has been established at ASPIRE-BioNEST with the support of Cytiva, a global biopharmaceutical leader, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. ASPIRE-BioNEST, jointly established by BIRAC, under the Department of Biotechnology and the University of Hyderabad, is one of India’s largest life sciences bioincubators and is widely regarded as a leading deep-tech incubator.
The Centre was formally inaugurated by Manoj Kumar R Panicker, General Manager, South Asia, Cytiva, in the presence of leadership from ASPIRE & Cytiva, and startup founders at the UoH recently.
The CAPR is an initiative to accelerate innovation in sustainable food technologies and support the growth of startups in the alternate protein sector, according to the UoH. The ASPIRE-BioNEST is already home to promising alternate protein startups such as Biome Innovations, Proleri Technologies, and Arthro, making it the ideal ecosystem to host this new Centre.
The Centre is designed to serve as a hub for translational research and entrepreneurship, driving solutions to address global challenges in food security, nutrition, and climate change.
By leveraging ASPIRE-BioNEST’s incubation ecosystem and the University of Hyderabad’s robust academic and research strengths, the Centre aims to maximize resource efficiency, nurture deep-tech startups, and deliver meaningful societal impact.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Manoj Kumar R Panicker remarked, “This Centre is a testament to Cytiva’s belief in the power of collaboration to drive innovation for societal good. We are happy to partner with ASPIRE-BioNEST to support research that is both scientifically promising and socially relevant.”
The establishment of this facility, with Cytiva’s support, will catalyze innovation in sustainable food production, fostering scalable protein alternatives including plant-based, microbial, and novel biotechnological platforms.
By sponsoring this initiative, Cytiva is contributing to the advancement of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2, 12, and 13), reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and the future of food. Since its inception in 2018, ASPIRE-BioNEST has supported 75 deep-tech startups, with more than 30 currently incubated across diverse areas including biopharma, agritech, medtech, and sustainability. Through this collaboration, Cytiva and ASPIRE-BioNEST reaffirm their shared vision of advancing science-led innovation, strengthening India’s bioeconomy, and positioning Hyderabad as a global hub for sustainable food technologies.