The Hindu Business Line : Hyderabad to get first biotech incubator

THE first biotechnology incubator in the country would be set up in the Shapoorji Pallonji Biotech Park here in a year's span, according to Dr Manju Sharma, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology.

Delivering the presidential address at the inaugural ceremony of the "Biotec India International 2003" here on Wednesday, Dr Sharma said that the Director of Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Dr K.V. Raghavan, was the key man behind the concept of establishing a biotechnology incubator here.

She said that biotechnology was poised for an exponential growth in the next five years and the emerging segment was agri-biotech. Biotechnology had also opened new avenues of research and it was the fastest growing industry today. The potential demand for biotechnology products was estimated to be of the order of $ 146 billion worldwide by the year 2007.

Pointing towards the rich bio-diversity India possessed, Dr Sharma said that India must become the world leader in the area of herbal products.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, who inaugurated the three-day international exhibition and conference, extended the State Government support to research in biotechnology, particularly in agri-biotech. He said that his Government was keen to put money in venture capital meant for biotechnology units.

Mr Naidu said that his desire was to ensure that out of the 10 best biotechnology companies in the country, at least the top eight were located in Hyderabad. He also wanted to introduce express lanes in the State capital and integrate the transportation system with eight-lane roads instead of six-lane expressways. An International Institute of Life Sciences was also proposed to be established here.

Prof D. Balasubramanian, Chairman of the Biotech Advisory Committee in the State, emphasised the need for establishment of a major animal research and animal testing facility in Hyderabad. He also said that efforts have to be made to attract some of the global leaders in biotechnology to set up shop in the biotech park here.

Dr S.R. Nair, Managing Director of Biotech Consortium India Ltd, welcomed the gathering. The State Minister for Small Scale Industries and Biotechnology, Mr B. Gopalakrishna Reddy, released a directory and a CD brought out on the occasion. The Chief Minister gave letters of acknowledgments to promoters of three companies who have recently come forward to set up units in the biotech park.

The three companies are Jasmine Biologicals Pvt Ltd, an existing agri-inputs manufacturing company which is expanding its production capacity and product range, Southern Biofe Bio Fuels Pvt Ltd, which proposes to manufacture bio diesel and SPC Biotech Pvt Ltd that proposes to manufacture bio absorbable medicinal implants required during surgery.

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