Karnataka's Vision Group on Biotechnology has projected that Chennai would emerge as a major biotech centre as far as the clinical research in this area is concerned. Kiran Majumdar-Shaw, chairperson, Karnataka Vision Group and CMD, Biocon India, said that a big opportunity existed in the field now and a number of players are already looking at this domain.
Commenting on Tamil Nadu's initiatives in this sector, she pointed out that the state seemed to be keen on taking the biotech to the various strata of the society. "The women's biotech park is a wonderful initiative. The state has already seen some investments in biotech like that of Spic's in industrial biotechnology, Orchid in pharmaceutical biotechnology. What will further help such initiatives is the strong IT sector and support of good academic and research institutions," she added. Shaw was speaking at the conference organized in Chennai to promote 'Bangalore Bio 2003'.
As such Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have taken the lead with other states following suit. Of the total Rs.3000 crore investment witnessed in the segment, Karnataka has already been able to lap up Rs.1000 crore, she added.
"Tamil Nadu is rich in biodiversity and thereby drug research and discoveries would be possible. Tamil Nadu could also excel in bioinformatics because of its strength in IT. Biotechnology research and development also was possible in Anna University, Madurai Kamaraj University to namea few. I find a greater synergy for clinical research and trials in Tamil Nadu owing to the presence of several speciality medical institutions," she added .
According to Shaw, the market for the biotech products is currently estimated at Rs.2,500 crore, which is expected to double in the next couple of years. She added China was the biggest competitor to India. She said that China was moving very fast creating necessary biotech infrastructure and enabling clinical trials and drug discoveries. Korea and Latin American countries could also pose challenge to India in the years to come.