BIOTECHNOLOGY PARKS AND INCUBATORS
Pharmaceutical & agricultural industries in India are showing keen interest in biotechnology for development of biogenerics, new plant varieties/ hybrids and also new biotech products to make them available at affordable cost to Indian population. Biotechnology industries in India are at the forefront for a new kind of technological revolution. Biotechnology research has vast potential for commercialization in the areas of agriculture, human and animal health, environment, diagnostics, immunobiologicals, blood products and various industrial products like antibiotics, industrial enzymes, vitamins etc. During 9th and 10th plan period, the Department supported various projects for development of Biovillage and establishment of all-women Biotech Park in the country to sensitize the industry as well as to bring the proven technologies to the grass root level. As a result, many state governments are now formulating proposals particularly for establishing biotechnology parks/knowledge parks, biotechnology incubators and pilot plant facilities.
The present scheme has been designed to help small & medium enterprises, specially the young entrepreneurs who are not in a position to incur high capital expenditure but have capabilities to develop, design and perfect new biotech products and processes by utilizing the biotech incubators and pilot level facilities
The Department is extending financial/logistical support for establishment of biotechnology parks, biotechnology incubators, training and pilot projects received from various states and other organizations. It is also extending technical support to work out the modalities for identification, implementation and review with suggestive mid-course corrections to the applicants for the projects on biotech parks, technology incubators, pilot projects etc.
An expert committee constituted by the department looks into various projects and suggests modalities for support. So far, the Department has received proposals from the States viz. Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu as well as from various institutions like UICT, Mumbai etc. to establish biotech parks/incubators.
Proposals from the state of Uttar Pradesh for establishment of Biotechnology Park at Lucknow and setting up of Biotechnology Incubator at Shapoorji Pallonji Biotech Park, Genome Valley, Hyderabad were approved. Four more proposals are under consideration by the Department for funding.
Biotech Park at Lucknow
The Biotechnology Park at Lucknow is being set up on 8 acres of land provided by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Uttar Pradesh. The Biotech Park has been registered as a Society under UP Registration Act 21, 1860. Management structure include a Society, the Governing Body and an Advisory Committee.
A Building Committee and a Finance Committee have been constituted. The construction work of the building/labs is expected to be completed by June 2005.
The Park is being developed as a modular structure with a bio-business block housing business support facilities, bioinformatics unit, biofertilizer & tissue culture unit, central facility and an ancillary services block.
The Park has been able to meet the requirement of State Horticulture Department for the supply of 1,25,000 fully hardened banana plants to various District Horticulture Officers in eastern U.P. In collaboration with NBRI, Lucknow, the park is raising elite quality of Jatropha curcas plants. It is supplying 3,00,000 plants to State Farm Corporation India Ltd., P.O. Girijapuri, Distt. Bahraich at the cost of Rs.18 lacs under an agreement with NOVOD. So far 1,50,000 Jatropha plants have been delivered. Thus, the Park is already in business and has generated revenue through these facilities.
Space has been allotted on lease and agreement to M/s. Shantha Biotechnics Ltd. Hyderabad; Green Path Bio Herbs Industries, Delhi; STPI, Lucknow; M/s. Biotechnology Consulting and Research Inc. Baroda, M/ s. Biological Pvt. Ltd. Lucknow for running the activities.
Training and public awareness
To propagate the cultivation of Jatropha plants, a bio-fuel of future, a bio business meet was organized by the Biotech Park in collaboration with NBRI, UPCST & Lucknow Management Association on 10th August 2004, observed as Bio-Diesel Day. In view of the encouraging response from the cultivators, farmers, entrepreneurs, Biotech Park in collaboration with NBRI is organizing “Kisan Goshthis” to apprise the public regarding the significance of plantation of Jatropha for future bio-fuel. So far 6 “Kisan Goshthis” have been organized.
Bioinformatics center
A “Bioinformatics Centre” to build-up a network with the existing institutions to provide information to industries regarding technologies, facilities and expertise available with them in the area of biotechnology is now functioning from the site office of the Biotech Park. The Bioinformatics Centre has a website www.biotechcitylucknow.org The Bioinformatics Centre has conducted eleven training courses and a total 218 participants have been trained.
Biotechnology Incubator Centre (BTIC) at Hyderabad
Discussions were held with prospective entrepreneurs, technocrats, industry; experts in the area of biotechnology from industry and other experts at about 11 technical meetings for finalizing layouts and firming up the design package for the centre. Memorandum of Articles (MoA) for formation of BTIC Society was formulated by the Govt. of AP in consultation with Director, IICT & Secretary, DBT. A high level Programme Management Committee has been constituted to consider organization management structure, operational arrangements, monitoring implementation, identification and allocation of resources for the programme.
