Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh has the potential to become the biotechnology capital of India in the coming years, opined experts at broacher unveiling ceremony organised by OMICS group in the city. “Though many have projected Bengaluru as the biotech capital of India, in fact it is Hyderabad which has the potential. With numerous research institutes like CCMB, IICT along with private biotech players like GVK Bio, Bharat Biotech, Shanta Biotech, Dr Reddy’s, Mylan etc, the city of Hyderabad is a favourite destination for investments in the bio similar segment,” said Srinubabu, managing director of OMICS International Inc.
According to Dr Kaiser Jamil, Director of Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Advanced Studies (JNIAS), there are lots of areas that are left unexplored in the biotechnology segment, with hundreds of biotech drugs coming off patent regime, very soon a large number of national and international companies are expected to focus in this segment and particularly Hyderabad is a favourite destination for new investments in biosimilar, biologics and biowaivers.
“Similar to generic medicines, biosimilars are imitation of patented biotech products. Use of biosimilar products has fewer side effects as they can target only the infected areas in the body. With numerous educational and research institutions, the city of Hyderabad is already well equipped with the required infrastructure along with availability of affordable skilled and qualified manpower. Already renowned research institutes and biotechnology companies are working in the biosimilar segment. Majority of the companies are ready with their ground work and waiting for the right time to grab the opportunities,” opined Dr Kaiser.
At present Europe, China, Vietnam, Korea, India and Brazil are leading takers of biosimilar products in the world, while USA, Europe and Japan are leading in biologics segment. According to experts, the global biosimilars market is expected to reach $20 billion by the end of year 2015 and is largely driven by patent expiries. The segment is growing at an annual growth rate (CAGR) of 89.1 per cent from 2009. By 2020, the global market for biosimilars will be reaching $55 billion. More than 80 biosimilars are in the process of development worldwide currently and this market could potentially become the fastest growing biologics sector by 2020.
Having learned this, the OMICS group is planning to organise an international conference on biowaivers, biologics and biosimilars from October 27 to 29 at Hyderabad international convention centre, where about 300 biotechnology companies are expected to participate to discuss on challenges and regulatory approaches for biosimilars in the emerging markets. Experts like Krishna Menon of Cellceutix Corporation from USA, Daniel Galbraith of Bio Outsource Ltd from United Kingdom, Rodeina Challand of PRA Health Sciences from UK and Kamali Chance of Quintiles from UK are expected to focus on areas of emerging biosimilars in therapeutics and clinical studies.