The city of Hyderabad, which is leading the flock of biotech industry in India, will soon be equipped with facilities to enhance the research and development system of biotech players in the state. While the Genome Valley, hub of biotech in the state of Andhra Pradesh, is to facilitate a biotech incubation centre from Bio Asia 2008, the foundation stone of a national animal resource facility will be laid at this same function.

The National Animal Resource Facility for Biomedical Research (NARFBR) and Centre for Stem Cell Sciences (CSCS), a project of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will come up in Genome Valley with an investment of about Rs 500 crore, including Rs 250 crore in the first phase. Meanwhile, Biotechnology Incubation Centre built up by the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) at the Biotech Park with around Rs 30 crore investment will be opened for the industry from second week of February 2008.

The Stem Cell sciences centre will have facilities like research and development laboratories, multi-utility plant, analytical and quality control centre and human resource training centre among others. The labs will be given on lease to the partner institutions.

Vice- President of India, Hamid Ansari will lay the foundation-stone for the animal resource facility and inaugurate the incubation centre during the 2008 edition of Bio Asia, the bio business forum which, will be held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre from February 7 to 10, according to J Geeta Reddy, Minister for major industries and commerce and export promotion, AP.