Maharashtra is one of the key players in biotech. Based on its diverse strengths such as superior human resources, the excellence of its private and public institutions, the good infrastructure, a conducive business environment and a proactive government, this commercial hub which excels in other fields of industrial activity, aspires to be a leaderin BT as well.
The states triumphs to have all the potential to equip it as the leader in biotech industry. Of the 20,000-odd pharma firms in India, more than 4000 are in Maharashtra sharing a 40 per cent of industry turnover. Major biotech companies like Reliance Life Sciences, Nicholas Piramal, Cipla, Lupin, Wockhardt etc are located in the state.
Realising the potential of this fast-growing sector, the state government formulated BT Policy in the year 2001. The policy envisages to grow Maharashtra, not only the leading state in BT in India, but also on the global platform. It aims to transform the stateby impacting positively on agriculture, animal husbandry, health, environmental protection, material transformation etc.
To facilitate better implementation of the strategy, the government has created two apex bodies: Maharashtra BT Board and Maharashtra BT Commission. The BT Board is to liaise with the central government to remove impediments that come in the path of growth of BT in the state. The chief minister would preside over the board and is expected to have imminent leaders in science andtechnology and the industry as its members.
Maharashtra BT Commission is the key implementation body and will be responsible for effective utilization of the BT development of the BT Fund. It will act as a think-tank and key advisor to the BT Board on diverse policy issues. Dr Mashelkar is the chairman, with knowledgeable professionals from academia, industry as well as government officials as its members.
BT Development Fund:
With a public-private partnership, the government is in the process of setting up a special fund with an initial amount of 50 crore. The fund will annually receive an earmarked contribution of 1 per cent from the annual plan funds from different departments of the state. Initially, government has agreed to contribute Rs 10 crore towards the fund. Mumbai-Pune Corridor
Another strategic advantage of the project is developing the Mumbai-Pune corridor for the BT industry. Here on one end Mumbai is the financial nerve of the country, at the other end Pune is a knowledge centre with numerous institutions related to the biotechnology industry. The infrastructure to connect both the cities is also top class, with good airports and ports.
A large number of colleges, research institutions (Serum Institute of India) the Pune University will aid development of research, apart from providing skilled manpower. Pune is very easily accessible from Mumbai, which is home to the biggest Global Pharmaceutical companies. Pune also offers an excellent lifestyle, a vibrant IT industry and a fast growing economy with high per capita income.
Hinjewadi Biotech Park
The Hinjewadi Park is set up as a joint venture between Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and The Chatterjee Group (TCG) last year in Pune.
The Park proposes strategic alliances with other healthcare facilities for providing clinical trials. It will have basic infrastructure such as roads, water, power, Common Effluent Treatment Plant, Water Treatment Plant (WTP), Core Shared Facility (Research Centre, Bioinformatics Lab, Genomics & Proteomics Lab, Discovery Labs - Chemistry & Bio Labs, Pre-clinical & Clinical Labs, Analytical Lab's), Business Facilitation Centre (Health Club, Cafeteria, Entertainment Complex etc), Residential complex, Service Apartments, Built to suit units (tenant desired made to order units).
Industries targeted are pharma and biotech companies, clinical trial labs, Contract Research Organisations (CROs), Bioinformatic Centres, Vaccine Production Units, Analytical Lab's, and Medical Centres etc.
A few of the pharmaceutical firms including Emcure (14 Acres area), Shreya Biotech (15 acres area) and Venkateshwara Hatcheries (five acres) have already manufacturing and R&D activities in the park.
The companies operating within the park will be able to enjoy financial incentives on power tariffs, exemption on registration, electricity and stamp duty in addition to twice admissible FSI, Knowledge Processing Zone status and other incentives.
Bio-agri Park, Jalna
MIDC is also setting up a state-of-the-art complex at Jalna - the seed capital of India - near Aurangabad. It has earmarked 100 acres to develop the park which will provide basic infrastructure facilities. The MIDC will provide land at concessional rate for common research/scientific facilities and for creating an academic center of excellence at the park.