Tata Institute for Genetics and Society

What Tata Institute for Genetics and Society does

Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) is a non-profit scientific research institute established in 2017 and headquartered at the Bangalore Life Science Cluster (BLiSC) on the NCBS campus in GKVK Post, Bengaluru, India, where it became the fourth member institute on 21 March 2022 alongside NCBS, inStem, and C-CAMP. The institute operates four research programs — Infectious Diseases, Rare Genetic Disorders, Crop Improvement, and Technology Platforms — supported by specialized facilities including an insectary for vector biology, a greenhouse for plant genetics, and core technology platforms spanning protein, mRNA, and cell-based therapeutic development. Its scientific portfolio covers CRISPR-based genome editing, next-generation sequencing, mRNA technology, and wastewater-based epidemiology, with notable outputs including an Anopheles stephensi reference genome, a national Lysosomal Storage Disorders biobank of 530 patient samples, and an active wastewater surveillance network across 28 sewage treatment plants in Bengaluru.

TIGS serves public-sector and academic stakeholders rather than commercial customers, with collaborations spanning the Government of Karnataka, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), ICAR, and institutions including CDFD, AIIMS Bhopal, Cure SMA Foundation, UAS-GKVK, and the BeST Cluster. Its revenue model is grant-based and philanthropic: the institute is funded primarily by Tata Trusts as part of the Tata Group's philanthropic ecosystem, with additional support from DBT, ICAR, and other government grants. There is no commercial pricing model, no disclosed licensing or royalty income, and no external equity investors. Distribution of research outputs occurs through direct institutional partnerships, MoU-based collaborations, and public science engagement (REDRESS summit, SUSTAiN summit, SMART Summit, Conversations@TIGS podcast, Science Serving Society webinar series, and community programs).

The institute's strategic positioning combines public health surveillance capability (AMR, COVID-19, Mpox detection), translational rare-disease research, and agricultural genomics, addressing problems of affordability and scale that affect India's healthcare and food systems. Key reported impact metrics include 90 million rare disease-affected individuals in India as addressable population, Rs 1 crore+ per-patient-per-year existing treatment costs that TIGS aims to disrupt, and 4 editions of the REDRESS summit. Leadership is provided by Director Dr. Rakesh Mishra, and the organization is supported by a 51–100 person staff operating within a non-profit governance structure.

Name

Tata Institute for Genetics and Society

Legal name

Tata Institute for Genetics and Society

Website

https://tigs.res.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) is a Bengaluru-based non-profit research institute, funded by Tata Trusts, that conducts genomics and genetics research across infectious diseases, rare genetic disorders, crop improvement, and therapeutic platforms for societal benefit in India.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Genomics and Genetics Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Laboratory-Based Surveillance & Genomic Epidemiology (WGS/NGS) (HLAJABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Genetic & Genomic Rare Disease Therapeutics (HLAIAIAA)

Keywords

• Genomics research
• Infectious disease surveillance
• Rare genetic disorders
• Crop improvement research
• Wastewater epidemiology

Headquarters

HQ city

Bengaluru

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Institutional Funding: TIGS is primarily funded by Tata Trusts and operates as a non-profit research institute. The institute relies on grants from government bodies (Department of Biotechnology, ICAR) and institutional funding rather than commercial revenue generation. Revenue is directed toward funding research programs in human health and agriculture for societal benefit, particularly to benefit India and its population.
2. Research Collaborations and Partnerships: Collaborative research projects with government agencies, hospitals, universities, and international research bodies generate indirect funding support through joint grant applications and shared research infrastructure.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TIGS operates as a non-profit genetics and genomics research institute delivering translational research across four programs: Infectious Diseases, Rare Genetic Disorders, Crop Improvement, and Technology Platforms. It develops cost-effective diagnostics and therapeutics for rare genetic diseases, conducts wastewater surveillance for pandemic preparedness, applies CRISPR-based gene editing to develop climate-resilient crops, and operates specialized insectary and greenhouse research facilities supporting vector biology and plant genetics studies. Outputs are delivered through collaborative research with government agencies, hospitals, universities, and international bodies rather than commercial product sales.

Product overview

Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) is a research institute operating under the Bangalore Life Science Cluster (BLiSC), conducting genomics and genetics research across four core programs: Infectious Diseases, Rare Genetic Disorders, Crop Improvement, and Technology Platforms. The institute supports its research through specialized facilities including an Insectary for vector biology studies and a Greenhouse for plant genetics work. TIGS engages with the public through podcast series (Conversations@TIGS), webinar series (Science Serving Society), and organizes major annual events including REDRESS (Rare Genetic Diseases Research Summit), SUSTAiN (Sustainable Agriculture and Nutrition Summit), Genetics deCoded, and SMART Summit. The institute also conducts the IMPACT wastewater surveillance program for pathogen and AMR monitoring. TIGS functions as a research organization rather than a product company, focusing on scientific advancement and societal impact in human health and agriculture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Infectious Diseases Research Program Genomics-based infectious disease research program targeting pathogen genomics, surveillance system development, and therapeutic discovery, delivered via collaborative partnerships with hospitals, government health departments, and academic institutions.
• Rare Genetic Disorders Research Program Translational research program developing affordable diagnostics, screening, and therapeutic strategies for rare genetic disorders in India, including the national Lysosomal Storage Disorders biobank (530 patients across 17 years) and MoU partnerships with DBT-CDFD, AIIMS Bhopal, and FRIGE.
• Crop Improvement Program Agricultural genetics research program applying CRISPR-Cas and other genome editing technologies to develop improved crop varieties (including climate-resilient rice in collaboration with ICAR-IIRR) and eco-friendly pest control methods (in collaboration with ICAR-NBAIR).
• Technology Platforms Shared technology platforms for developing protein-based, mRNA-based, and cell-based therapeutic proof-of-concept studies, available to TIGS investigators and collaborators working on rare genetic and infectious disease therapeutics.
• IMPACT (Integrated Monitoring of Pathogen and AMR from Clinical Wastewater) Standardized wastewater surveillance service providing pathogen tracking (COVID-19) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) monitoring across Bengaluru's 28 sewage treatment plants, delivered in collaboration with the Government of Karnataka's health department and used for pandemic preparedness and population-level public health monitoring.

Quantifiable outcome

• Wastewater surveillance network operational across 28 sewage treatment plants in Bengaluru
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Government of Karnataka (Health Department)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026Karnataka launched an antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance programme in collaboration with TIGS, integrating TIGS's environmental surveillance capabilities into the state's public health infrastructure.
• Foundation for Research in Genetics and Endocrinology (FRIGE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026FRIGE led the first government-supported national biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs), integrating biological samples from 530 patients with detailed clinical, genetic, and biochemical data spanning 17 years. The biobank is funded by the Department of Biotechnology and is being used by research centers to develop screening technologies and therapies.
• National Conference on Prader-Willi SyndromeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2026TIGS hosted a one-day National Conference on Advancing Care and Collaboration for Prader-Willi Syndrome in India, demonstrating outreach to specific rare genetic disease communities.
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal (AIIMS Bhopal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 May 2025TIGS and AIIMS Bhopal signed an MoU to collaborate on rare genetic diseases research, diagnostics, and treatment development, combining clinical and research expertise.
• Cure SMA Foundation of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2025TIGS co-organized the SMART Summit 2025 with Cure SMA Foundation of India, IIT Kanpur, and NCBS Bengaluru to advance Spinal Muscular Atrophy research and care in India, bringing together clinicians, researchers, policymakers, industry, and patient advocacy groups.
• ICAR – Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2024TIGS and ICAR-IIRR partnered to create climate-resilient rice varieties that can thrive in changing environmental conditions while improving nutritional value. The two organizations also agreed to advance rice technologies for societal benefit. The MoU was signed by Dr. Rakesh Mishra (Director, TIGS) and R.M. Sundaram (Director, ICAR-IIRR).
• Avestagenome Project International Pvt. Ltd. (AGENOME)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2024TIGS and Avestagenome Project partnered to advance research in rare genetic disorders, combining expertise in genomics and genetics research with Avestagenome's specialized capabilities.
• ICAR – National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2023TIGS partnered with ICAR-NBAIR to harness the power of genetics and molecular biology to develop sustainable and eco-friendly methods for controlling insect pests in agriculture. The agreement was signed by Dr. Rakesh Mishra (Director, TIGS) and Dr. S N Sushil (Director, ICAR-NBAIR).
• Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2023TIGS signed MoU with GBRC, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat, for collaboration in biotechnology research, particularly in areas related to TIGS's research programs.
• Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2023TIGS and the Central University of Tamil Nadu signed an MoU to collaborate on research and academic initiatives in genetics and life sciences.
• ICAR – National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2023MoU with ICAR-NIVEDI for collaboration on veterinary epidemiology and disease informatics, supporting One Health and AMR surveillance initiatives.
• DBT – Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2023TIGS partnered with CDFD Hyderabad, a Centre Of Excellence for rare diseases funded by the Department of Biotechnology, to develop cost-effective rare genetic disorder diagnostics, screening, and treatment. India is home to approximately 90 million rare genetic disease-affected people. The MoU was signed by Dr. Rakesh Mishra (Director, TIGS) and Dr. K. Thangaraj (Director, CDFD).
• Bengaluru Science and Technology (BeST) ClustercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2022TIGS is part of the BeST Cluster launched at Bengaluru Tech Summit 2022, a collaborative effort of various academic, industry, start-up and civil groups to address problems with locally relevant solutions. Primary sectors: Health & Wellness, Urban Life, and Futuristic Technologies. Areas include OneHealth, Precision Agriculture, Urban Transportation, Monsoon & Climate Change, Quantum Technologies.
• Swissnex in IndiaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 October 2022Delegation visit from Swissnex in India, indicating engagement for potential international collaboration in science and technology.
• Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 October 2022MoU signing with IBAB for collaboration in bioinformatics and applied biotechnology research, likely involving genomics data analysis and computational biology approaches.
• JSS Medical College and Academy of Higher Education and ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2022MoU signing with JSS Medical College and Academy of Higher Education and Research for collaborative research in genetics and healthcare.
• University of ManchesterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 September 2022Delegation visit from University of Manchester to TIGS, indicating collaborative engagement and potential research partnerships.
• University of Agricultural Sciences – GKVK, BengalurucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2022Project launch with University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Bengaluru, for collaborative agricultural research initiatives including crop improvement programs and sustainable agriculture research.
• Bangalore Life Science Cluster (BLiSC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 March 2022TIGS became the fourth institute to join the Bangalore Life Science Cluster (BLiSC) on 21st March 2022, joining existing institutions NCBS, inStem, and C-CAMP. BLiSC is a unique hub of excellence in biological research in India aiming to develop best practices for inter-institutional collaborations. TIGS pursues path-breaking research with state-of-the-art facilities within the cluster.
• Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2022TIGS and inStem joined hands to work on rare genetic diseases, leveraging synergistic associations between the two cluster institutions to advance research on rare genetic disorders and related therapeutics.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG): Autonomous genomics research institute in India focused on disease genomics, cancer genomics, and population genomics. Highly comparable as a peer non-commercial genomics research organization.
• National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS): Sister BLiSC institute and Bangalore-based life sciences research organization. Shares campus, joint convenes events like SUSTAiN 2026, and operates overlapping biology and disease-research programs.
• Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD): DBT-funded Centre of Excellence for rare diseases with an active MoU with TIGS. Comparable as a publicly funded Indian genomics and rare-disease diagnostics research institution.
• Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP): Fourth BLiSC member focused on bio-innovation platforms and translational biology. Directly comparable as a Bangalore-cluster life sciences research and technology-platform organization.
• Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem): Co-located BLiSC partner institute with overlapping stem-cell, regenerative medicine, and rare-disease research programs. TIGS has an active MoU with inStem on rare genetic diseases, making it the closest institutional peer.

Broad incumbents

• Broad Institute: Global genomics and biomedical research institute with strengths in CRISPR/gene editing, infectious disease surveillance, and rare disease. Comparable as a large-scale non-profit genomics R&D organization, though substantially larger and better-funded.
• International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB): Intergovernmental research organization working on genetic engineering and biotechnology for human health and agriculture, with an Indian component. Comparable as a non-profit genomics/biotech research institute with overlapping health and agriculture mission.
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc) - Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering: Premier Indian research university with significant genomics, infectious disease, and crop science programs. Comparable as a much larger Bengaluru-based life sciences research entity with broader scope.
• CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB): National CSIR genomics and biomedical research lab with much larger headcount and broader mandate. Comparable as a publicly funded Indian genomics R&D organization working on rare diseases, infectious disease, and genomic surveillance.
• Wellcome Sanger Institute: UK-based genomic research institute with major programs in pathogen genomics, AMR surveillance, and rare disease genetics. Comparable as a mission-driven non-profit genomics research organization with global surveillance scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tata-institute-for-genetics-and-society-india
• Xx.com/TIGS_India

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tata Institute for Genetics and Society