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| Several states have taken strong initiatives to develop Bio-Clusters based on intrinsic academic and entrepreneurial strengths. Key features of these clusters are Biotech Parks, Fiscal Incentives, Centres of Biotech Excellence, Incubators etc. The following are some of the emerging Bio-clusters: |
| The Government of Andhra Pradesh, in collaboration with The Industrial Credit & Investment Corporation of India, ICICI, has set up a Knowledge Park near Hyderabad. Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh has emerged as an important bio-cluster with CCMB, ICRISAT, & Osmania University forming the academic backbone and companies like Shantha Biotechnics, Bharat Biotech, Biological E and DRL forming the industry cluster. The presence of a large Pharma industry in Hyderabad has caused this bio-cluster to focus largely on vaccines & biotherapeutics. More recently, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has announced the establishment of THE GENOME VALLEY which will focus on Genomic based R&D. The existing software industry has also initiated interest in Bioinformatics. Satyam Infoway has announced a collaboration with CCMB in this area. |
| Bangalore has the country's largest bio-cluster where the State Government of Karnataka has set up a Vision Group on Biotechnology as a Public-Private partnership to evolve a pragmatic Biotechnology Policy for the state. The Bangalore cluster owes its success to the presence of a large number of prestigious Research Institutions viz. IISc, NCBS, JNCASR & UAS, and a diverse array of entrepreneurial companies which presently number 70, accounting for 40% of the national total. The sector spans across Enzymes, (Biocon,) Biotherapeutics (Biocon, Gangagen), Bioinformatics (Strand Genomics, Bigtec, Kshema, CDC Linux, Molecular Connections), Plant Genetics & Genomics (Avesthagen, Monsanto, Metahelix, Advanta), Contract R&D (Syngene, Aurigene, Genotypic Technology, Avesthagen, Bangalore Genei) and Bioprocessing & Bioinstrumentation (Sartorius, WIPRO-GE, Photonics & Biomolecules, Bangalore Genei, Millipore) The Vision Group has set up IBAB, an Institute for Bioinformatics & Applied Biotechnology to develop trained bioinformaticians for the industry. In addition, a Biotech Park has been planned to house start-ups, an incubator facility a common facility for shared instrumentation, and a patent cell. The state government has already invested $2 million in Biotech programs to date. Another initiative is Bangalore Bio, annual event to showcase the state's Biotech initiatives & progress which is well attended and has earned international attention. |
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The Government of Tamil Nadu has announced an ambitious plan to develop Biotechnology Enterprise Zones or "Bio-Valleys" to exploit the state's bio resources. Four biotech parks, and a bioinformatics and genome center will be established under this scheme. The present bio-cluster encompasses 2 premier Biotechnology centers at Anna University & Madurai Kamaraj University and SPIC Biotech, the largest corporate entity in the state.
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The presence of the National Chemical Laboratory, NCL, and Pune University which has one of the best Bioinformatics programs in the country, gives Pune a natural advantage of forming a successful Bio-cluster in the State. In addition, Pune is home to 2 major Bioprocess companies, Alfa Laval and Praj Industries. Other companies that have enhanced this bio-cluster are Serum Institute (Vaccines), Mahyco, Syngenta, (GM crops) Wockhardt (Biotherapeutics) and Advanced Biochemicals. (Enzymes). The government has recently announced the establishment of a Biotech Park in Pune to house a pilot plant facility for start-up companies to lease. The State Government has also announced seed capital for Biotech companies. The presence of a large pharma sector in the state is expected to generate interest in Biotherapeutics, Diagnostics and veterinary products.
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