Six biotech companies have booked space in the phase II of the Hyderabad-based ICICI Knowledge Park, which became ready for occupation in March 2003. "These include Helvetica Industries, Maanya Biotech, GVK Biosciences, Biogenus India, Ocimum Biosolutions and Silico Insights," said Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, CEO, ICICI KP.

The phase II of the project has around 27,000 sq ft of laboratory space. The phase I was completed last year. The combined laboratory space available in Innovation Corridor 1, phase I and II is around 55,000 sq ft. Phase II consists of a laboratory block with 16 modular laboratories each of around 1700 sq ft fitted with basic utilities lines, two meeting rooms, a scientists'' resting room, cafeteria, gymnasium, maintenance office, store and utility rooms.

The park is an initiative of ICICI Bank and the Andhra Pradesh government. The project has been financed by ICICI Bank. "The phase II is built at an estimated cost of Rs. 9.5 crore. Cost incurred in Phase I, including laboratory block, administration building, utility block, land development etc. is around Rs. 26.5 crore," she said.

"Companies who have already set up office in phase I include Medicorp Technologies, Optiwave Photonics, Bijam Biosciences, Krebs Biochemicals, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Bioserve Biotechnologies, GVK Biosciences, Sai Dru Syn, and Indigene Pharmaceuticals," said Chattopadhyay.

IKP was set up to encourage and promote business driven R&D in all knowledge intensive sectors and are meant for conducting R&D. The focus areas are biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, new materials and telecommunications. Apollo Hospitals and ICICI Knowledge Park have signed JV agreement by which the pharma companies in the ICICI knowledge Park can access to the hospitals clinical database and research facilities for conducting research.