The biotechnology segment is expanding very fast with several research projects in pipeline. Indian companies are entering this sunrise segment in a big way through availability of low cost talent pool, better infrastructure facilities and easy availability of funds.
International giants are looking India as their R&D hub and planning huge investment. The flow of fund from venture capitals is likely to go up significantly in coming years.
The cost effect products introduced by Indian companies will play important role in the growth of biotechnology industry. They will win the market share with cost effective product and easily overcome the competition in domestic as well as international market.
With support from the government, several private sector as well as listed companies have set up separate department to capture opportunities in biotech segment. Further, several state governments are setting up biotech parks to tap the future opportunities.
Top players are anticipating a ten-fold increase in demand for vaccines when the government includes hepatitis B vaccine in the expanded programme of immunization. Further, Indian enzyme market is growing, because of increased awareness of eco-friendly processes. Indian players include Biocon, EPIC Enzymes, ABL Limited etc have established good market presence. Indian Biotech companies are entering aggressively into the international regulated market through tie-ups with MNCs.
Biocon Ltd, a Rs 675-crore plus Bangalore based listed company, is gearing its resources to strengthen its future plans. The company's exports are contributing over 58 per cent of its net sales during 2004-05. It is known as leading producer of statins, a cholesterol-lower agent used to treat and prevent coronary diseases, in the country. Its statins portfolio presently comprises lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin and atorvastatin.
Panacea Biotec, a Rs 335 crore company, has adopted clinical research as an integral part of its R&D efforts. It is providing clinical trials for vaccines, immuno-suppressants, anti-diabetics, anti-tubercular, pain management and gastro products. The company's vaccines and biotechnology segment has been a major growth driver.
Wockhardt Ltd commissioned India's largest biopharmaceuticals complex - Wockhardt Biotech Park during 2004 in Aurangabad. Wockhardt received nine approvals for its biopharmaceuticals from international markets and more products applications are awaiting approvals from several countries.
The biopharmaceutical portfolio of the company witnessed a robust growth of 54 per cent whereby it surpassed total revenues of US$ 10 million.
Cadila Healthcare submitted two bio-similar products for regulatory approval. Cadila entered into 50:50 joint venture with Bharat Serum and Vaccines Ltd, one of the top 10 biotech companies in India, to develop, manufacture and market a non-infringing and prioprietary novel drug delivery system of an approved anti-cancer product for the global market.
Alembic's BioArc division made its foray into clinical research and established a state-of-the-art 36 bed self-contained bioequivalence Centre. Various international players showed interest to work with BioArc both in in-vito or cell based early drug discovery studies as well as in the in-vitro animal based studies.
Lupin has received USFDA approval for its statins facility at Tarapur.
Besides above listed companies in India, few important private un-listed companies like Shantha Biotech, Bharat Biotech and Shreya Lifesciences are playing important role in biotechnology segment. All the three companies have invested huge funds in R&D and entering international markets with new products. Further, Haffkine Institute and Serum Institute launching cost effective biological products and providing technology to Indian as well as international companies.