The Genome Valley Doing India Proud As a Major Biotech Research Hub
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[ SPECIAL FEATURE ] The Genome Valley Doing India Proud as A Major Biotech Research Hub The Genome Valley is India’s fi rst state-of-the-art biotech cluster providing worldclass infrastructure to over 100 biotech companies. Spread over 600 square kilometers, the Genome Valley is a natural cluster for biotech research, training, collaborations and manufacturing activities. www.asiabiotech.com Volume 11 > Number 14 > 2007 ■ 969 [ SPECIAL FEATURE ] Biotech Policy of the Andhra Pradesh Government The government of Andhra Pradesh has identifi ed the biotech sector as one of the “Engines of Growth” in the Vision 2020 document. It will leverage on Hyderabad’s existing strengths for rapid commercialization of biotechnology to produce innovative biotech products and services in a wide range of areas. The government also envisages a very active role of the private sector in the development of the biotechnology industry. It is expected that given the right environment, the many scientists of Andhra Pradesh who are now engaged in research and academics in Funding Biotech Initiatives • Am umbiliical cord stem cell the US or other developed countries To promote biotech activities in the bank, biomedical research center will play a catalytic and enabling state, the government of Andhra and state-of-the-art maternity/ role in developing biotechnology Pradesh will set up a biotechnology neonatal hospital to be set up in the state, as was the case with development fund. It will have an by Pacifi c Health Care Holdings, information technology. initial corpus of Rs 50 crores. Sales Singapore. tax paid by all biotech companies • A buffalo genome project Rich Bio-resources: A and the returns on equity held by the undertaken by the Center for Competitive Edge state government in the biotech parks Cellular and Molecular Biology Agriculture is the lifeline of Andhra (including any other development (CCMB). Pradesh’s economy. There are seven funds) will be put into this fund. The • The Bill and Melinda Gates agro-climate zones across the state, fund willl be managed by the Andhra Foundation will provide a grant of with 19 major food and commercial Pradesh Biotechnology Development US$6.4 million to Bharat Biotech crops grown in different parts of the Council under the Chief Minister. International for the Rotavirus state. There are more than 5 000 Vaccine Project. species of trees, of which 2 000 are Some of Genome Valley’s fl owering trees. About 40% of the Biotech Initiatives Two Established Biotech land is utilized for agriculture and • India’s first biotech venture Parks 23% of the land covered by forests. fund with a corpus of US$30 The Genome Valley encompasses The agricultural sector thus million launched as a joint two established biotech parks – the contributes to over a third of the venture between APIDC Shapoorji Pallonji Biotech Park and state’s GSDP and provides livelihood Venture Capital Ltd and Dynam the ICICI Knowledge Park. for over 70% of its population. Its Venture East, USA, to fund start- abundant and diverse agriculture, up companies. Collaboration Shapoorji Pallonji Biotech forest wealth, large marine resources with the International Finance Park and cattle population provide Corporation (IFC) to augment Sprawled over 400 acres and costing tremendous opportunities for the the fund. Rs 1 billion dollars to build, the development of the biotech industry. • An international life science SP Park houses contract research In fact, due to the state’s wide variety institute to be set up in the organizations (CROs) and a mix of fl ora and fauna, about six agri- Genome Valley as a center of of companies involved in high- biotech companies have set up their excellence in industry-driven life end research in biotechnology and operations there and are doing well. science research. nanotechnology, plus manufacturers 970 ■ Volume 11 > Number 14 > 2007 www.asiabiotech.com [ SPECIAL FEATURE ] of biopharmaceuticals and molecular Park is spread over 200 acres of diagnostic kits. More than 17 campus in a pollution-free zone companies have set up offi ces in the at Turkapally near Hyderabad. It park, with the SP Park given EOU is currently being developed in status and is expecting to get the phases, with research focuses on “Special Economic Zone” status as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals well. technology, specialty chemicals, new The park has established materials, information technology alliances with research laboratories and telecommunications. Eighteen and technology parks in India and small to mid-size companies are abroad. This will help them very operating from this park, with 65% much, especially in the areas of of these companies being engaged in technology transfers, networking technology/product development, and formation of joint ventures. while the rest are engaged in contract Some research hubs that the the research. park has formed tie-ups with are The masterplan of the park the Research Triangle Park, USA; mirrors its objective of nurturing an Biotechnology International LLC, environment for innovation and the USA; Technologiepark Heidelberg, expected growth in life sciences and The Genome Valley Germany; Biotechnologiepark its related fi elds. To help bring forth Luckenwalde, Germany; and its vision of “creating a world class encompasses two Sun Micro Systems for Center of center for leading-edge business- established biotech Excellence, Hyderabad. driven research in India,” the parks parks—the Shapoorji offers a mix of ready-to-use multi- tenanted modular wet laboratory Pallonji Biotech Park ICICI Knowledge Park blocks with in-built fl exibility around and the ICICI Knowledge Launched by the ICICI Bank Ltd some common, shared facilities and in partnership with the government support services, as well as developed Park. of Andhra Pradesh, the ICICI land for customized R&D facilities. www.asiabiotech.com Volume 11 > Number 14 > 2007 ■ 971 [ SPECIAL FEATURE ] R&D Institutes and Companies in The Genome Valley List of Centers List of Private Companies Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology Dupont Indian Private Ltd Center for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics EPR Pharmaceuticals Private Ltd Indian Institute of Chemical Technology Indigene Biopharmaceutical Ltd National Institute of Nutrition Laurus Labs Private Ltd L V Prasad Eye Institute Matrix Laboratories Ltd Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University Nektar Therapeutics Private Ltd International Advanced Research Center for Power Metallurgy JK Agri-Genetics Ltd Environment Protection Training and Research Institute Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc National Academy of Legal Studies and Research University GVK Biosciences Private Ltd Indian School of Business Laxai India Private Ltd Albany Molecular Research Center Mithros Chemicals Private Ltd International Institute of Information Technology USP India Private Ltd 972 ■ Volume 11 > Number 14 > 2007 www.asiabiotech.com.