Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government is set to officially announce the ambitious ‘Genome City’ project, modelled after Hyderabad’s Genome Valley, in the first quarter of 2026. The launch will take place at Bio360 Life Science Park in Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram. Sources close to the initiative reveal that the government is currently evaluating the proposal.
A Vision for a Biotech Hub
Genome City will span a 60-acre plot with a projected investment of Rs 3,500 crore. The project will integrate pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, biotech firms, and advanced research centres into a life-sciences cluster.
As per the Times of India, the project aims to position Kerala as a significant player in the national and global biotech ecosystem.
Job Creation and Investment Potential
Praveen K S, CEO of Life Science Park, confirmed that the project is in advanced planning stages. “Genome City is a large-scale initiative that could transform Thiruvananthapuram and the entire state. We expect 15,000 new jobs and significant investments from multinational companies. Over time, the scale is likely to surpass current projections,” he said.
Strategic Location and Connectivity
Praveen highlighted the project’s strategic location, noting its proximity to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and Vizhinjam Seaport. This connectivity could facilitate the import and export of medical equipment. Drawing a parallel to Kerala’s technology hub, he added, “Genome City, together with the Life Science Park, will become Kerala’s version of Technopark—but for biotech.”
Government Support and Fast-Track Approvals
A senior government official stated that the proposed zone has undergone careful review. “The government sees immense strategic value in making Kerala a biomanufacturing hub. Once Genome City is formally approved, we will expedite clearances and institutional support through a dedicated advisory group,” the official explained.
Additionally, the state plans to use a single-window portal to fast-track land allotment, regulatory approvals, and infrastructure services.
MedSpark: Kerala’s First Medical Device Hub
Alongside Genome City, the MedSpark project, Kerala’s first dedicated medical devices hub, is nearing completion at Bio360 Life Science Park. Praveen shared that construction of its three main buildings—two five-storey blocks and one single-storey facility—is on track. The construction team is expected to finish the structural work by January 2026, and they have already issued tenders for interior outfitting. They plan to launch a specialised small-animal testing facility by February 2026.
Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) are jointly developing MedSpark, with an estimated cost of Rs 256 crore. Of the total investment, the state government is contributing Rs 156 crore and the Union government Rs 100 crore.
Bio360 Life Sciences Park: A Growing Ecosystem
Currently, Bio360 Life Sciences Park hosts 22 companies, with existing investments around Rs 700 crore. Praveen noted that as more firms begin operations, investors are likely to push investments past Rs 1,000 crore, and Genome City will take this growth to a quantum leap.
To attract investors, the government plans to offer incentives, including subsidised land for 60 years, capital expenditure subsidies, single-window clearance within 30 days, and power tariff subsidies.