that states need to target niche segments to attract investments. Do you think the "me too" approach of states to biotech investments needs to change? A state should attract investments best suited to its resources?
Considering that the Indian biotech industry has crossed the $1.1 billion mark and is growing at 36.5 per cent per year, states cannot afford to neglect this huge opportunity, though it would be prudent to identify a niche area of operation. For instance, Andhra has an established pharma industry, hence the focus is on pharma. Goa Biotech Park is likely to focus on marine biotech.
We are veering towards biotech-IT parks in some states, but the dynamics of the two are so different. What would be the benefit of co-locating these two?
Pharma companies like Astra Zeneca, Aventis, Bayer, Pfizer, Merck, Ranbaxy and DRL are using bio-IT tools to expedite the drug discovery process. The Indian government has thus proposed a dedicated Bio-IT park on a public-private partnership model.
Looking at the corporate side of biotech, we have seen the growth of some prominent home grown biotech companies. How would you benchmark Indian biotech industry with the rest of the world?
India is among the top three in Asia-Pacific Biotech and among the top 12 globally.
Which areas in biotech present the greatest scope for growth?
Indian biotech will take time to mature in its research capability. Manufacturing is taking place in terms of joint ventures and alliances "" Biocon entered into a joint venture with Cimab SA to manufacture Cimab's biotech products based on monoclonal antibodies and Nicholas Piramal had entered into a 60:40 joint venture with Allergan Inc to manufacture their ophthalmology products in India.
For the Indian investor, biotech in the country is associated with Biocon's Kiran Majumdar Shaw, who is now among the richest women in the country. Keeping in mind that this is a long gestation industry, when are we likely to see more listings from this sector?
Barring a few pure-play biotech companies in India, most are divisions of pharma companies. Therefore, there are few biotech companies having the ability to get listed.
What are the factors driving Indian biotech?
International biotech firms are laying out plans for direct investments (Invitrogen, Shreya, MWG Biotech), state governments are driving bioclusters with policy and infrastructure support, the global biogenerics opportunity is opening up (Europe, Australia), Indian players are building global capacities to partner with international firms (Biocon, Bharat) and companies are also shifting focus to biotech (Intas, Lupin).
