Pharmabiz / Chronicle

AP state Biotech Policy to be redrafted to make it more industry friendly: Dr A Ashok Mumbai

The Government of Andhra Pradesh is committed to harness the benefits of biotechnology in order to make a positive contribution to the life of the common man. In this direction, the state government has consistently pursued proactive policies and undertaken several initiatives to support and promote the biotechnology sector in the state, says, Dr A Ashok (IAS), director of Biotechnology, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

The national biotech policy is going to be in place soon. Is Andhra Pradesh Government planning to amend its biotech policy?
Since drafting the State Biotech Policy in 2001, the sector has witnessed significant growth in terms of attaining critical mass and infrastructure development, which was a result of the perennial and combined efforts of the government, the industry and the academia in the State. The policy has provided -- single window clearance system, sales tax of one per cent, provision of rebate based on the employment opportunity created and capital subsidy of 25 per cent of the total project cost is offered to those companies that are setting up biotech related infrastructure in the state.

What has been the progress made in the ICICI Knowledge Park?
Genome Valley, the country's first biotechnology and pharmaceutical cluster has been one of the earliest initiatives of the state government. This cluster houses ICICI Knowledge Park, a world class centre for leading edge business driven research and is India's first such venture created in collaboration between research community and industry. During the phase I, about 10 laboratories had been operational from June 2000. In the second phase, 100 per cent laboratory space has been booked by seven companies. In the phase III, about 20,000 sq. ft of modular wet laboratory space is being developed. A Life Sciences Incubation Centre has been set up in the park with an investment of Rs 3 crore with eight labs, of which four will be exclusively for biotech and the remaining labs will be for chemistry.

Can you tell us about the international companies that have set up base in the Genome Valley?
Many overseas companies have shown interest to set up base in and around Hyderabad. Few companies have already set up their base. For instance, Taros Custom Chemicals, Germany, involved in providing research services to pharma and biotech companies has established its R&D facility in ICICI Knowledge Park. Ireland-based Chanelle Pharmaceuticals, focused on R & D, registration and sale of generic dossiers, contract manufacturing and packaging of human therapeutics and veterinary drugs is in the process of starting its operations soon at Hyderabad. NND Biomedical Data Systems and Albany Molecular Research, both from USA have evinced keen interest on Hyderabad.

Bioinformatics is gaining lot of attention these days? What has the State achieved in this area so far? Could any alliances take place in this sector?
Sun Microsystems, Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Centre for DNA and Fingerprinting (CDFD), a year ago have signed a MoU for setting up a Rs 30 crore Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bioinformatics. The CoE is the third such centre in Asia, having collaboration with Sun. The Centre is expected to be operational very soon. Companies like TCS, Ocimum, Satyam, BioMed Informatics are the key drivers of this sector in the State.