The biotech sector in Uttar Pradesh has immense growth potential, which if realised with appropriate policies and incentives can attract investments to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore over the next two years.
“There is a global biotech wave and UP with its huge population and rich biodiversity can become a leading Indian state in the biotech industry and attract over Rs 1,000 crore in the next couple of years,” chief executive officer of the Lucknow Biotech Park P K Seth told Business Standard.
Lucknow has labs like the National Botanical Research Institute, Central Drug Research Institute, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture — belonging to the Council of Scientific and the Industrial Research and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. This apart, there are some autonomous central labs too.
“The presence of this infrastructure and a huge market in UP provides a ready platform to develop an ultra-modern biotech facility in Lucknow and other places in the state,” he added.
Seth said a large diaspora from UP was settled in US and other European countries and the state could attract investments for them by providing good infrastructure and incentives.
Meanwhile, the Biotech Park will soon have the Quality Certification facility at its 8-acre campus. “Our application is being processed by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, New Delhi, and we hope to get the approval soon,” Seth added.
The Biotech Park is setting up the necessary infrastructure and equipment at the cost of around Rs 1.5 crore for the accreditation. At present, 15 companies have their units in the park and have invested over Rs 20 crore.
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The Biotech Park has sought another 200 acre either on the Lucknow-Kanpur highway or Kursi Road in Lucknow for ‘industrial biotech’. “Our present facility is basically for R&D. Due to the space constraints most of the industrial and commercial aspects cannot be undertaken. The 200 acre land would address that need,” he added.
The park will also add another block to its existing campus, which can house 10 more units. The Centre will provide Rs 2.5 crore for the purpose.