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Karnataka and Germany sign MoU to strengthen ties in lifesciences start-ups
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Nandita Vijayasimha, Bengaluru
July 11 , 2025
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ed by Minister M?B?Patil and Dr?Florian?Herrmann, head of the Bavarian State Chancellery. The MoU covers biotech, medical tech, AI, quantum tech, higher education and skill development.
The Karnataka–Germany ties are focused to deepen through joint innovation hubs via Berlin and Bavaria partnerships, co-funded biotech R&D grants, shared goals in climate-friendly pharma manufacturing, start-ups in precision medicine, artificial intelligence (AI) for drug discovery, and bioprocessing, stated government officials.
State minister for large and medium industries and infrastructure development met the German delegation led by Franziska Giffey, Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy, and Public Enterprises, State of Berlin to strengthen the ties between Karnataka and Germany for positioning Karnataka as one of the leaders in renewable energy space. Here lifesciences industry is encompassing biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, med-tech, and diagnostics is energy-intensive particular because of continuous refrigeration, climate control, energy-heavy R&D, manufacturing, cleanroom operations and regulatory compliance needing precision-controlled environment.
Germany is the 9th-largest investor in India as of 2023, with FDI amounting to $547 million. Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, chemicals, electrical products, automobiles, auto components, textiles and garments are some of the key products exported to Germany from India. While the German pharma companies in India are Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Sanofi, the top German companies in Karnataka are Merck Life Science, Siemens in medical equipment technology, BASF in chemicals, Mercedes-Benz, Robert Bosch, Continental AG. All these have strong business operations in Karnataka.
The Berlin office in Bengaluru will catalyse start-up support in 2026. Our state is strategically forging deep connections from AI and biotech to life-sciences start-ups and green energy with multiple German states and institutions. These moves are designed to welcome German innovation and investment into the state's high-tech and life-sciences ecosystem, said Patil.
German life sciences companies have established a strong presence in Karnataka, especially in Bengaluru, due to the state’s rich pharma and biotech ecosystem, advanced infrastructure, and skilled workforce. With R&D capabilities, Bengaluru has attracted partnerships with multiple EU-based pharma companies, including German majors. The Merck Life Science and MilliporeSigma divisions for lab and process chemicals, reagents, filtration tech is a major supplier to biotech research labs and pharmaceutical manufacturers in Karnataka and in the country.
According to industry observers, Karnataka is home to over 480 pharma and biotech companies, including 200+ start-ups. There are dedicated clusters like Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) and Helix Biotech Park, CCAMP, IISc and NCBS which are globally recognised research centres. There is also a huge pool of skilled biotech and life sciences talent from premier institutions like IISc, NCBS, and IBAB.
The main focus of German collaboration would be in biologics & biosimilars, medical devices, offering contract research and manufacturing services, lab technology, clinical trials and data analytics green manufacturing & R&D.
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