In a move to transform Maharashtra into a sought after locale for biotech activities, the state government is in full swing to set up the third biotech park at Khalapur. However, investment required for the proposed park is yet to be decided.
The park, which is exclusively for the biopharma industry, will come up in an area of 250 acres. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) is in the process of acquiring land for the proposed park. MIDC is expected to acquire the required land in another six months. The Khalapur Park will have all the facilities of the other two parks in the state, Pune and Jalna.
Talking to Pharmabiz, Vasant D Maalwade, former joint director of Industries and currently advisor to Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, said, "The MIDC is in the process of land acquisition for the proposed park and is expected to finish it in another six months. Once the land acquisition is over, the government will take decision on the nature of the park".
The park will have GMP facilities in conformity with US FDA norms and business facilitation centres (BFC), which will offer services to the clients of the park so that a hassle-free environment will be created in the park. The services, which will be provided through BFC, comprises of a cell for facilitating rapid regulatory and customs clearances, technology transfer and access services, commercialisation services, networking with research institutions, mentoring and information and support on intellectual protection.
The BFC will also maintain databases on biotechnology and deal with quarantine issues. It will also be equipped with all the necessary facilities to provide secretarial and communication services.
The International Biotech Park, Pune, a joint venture project of Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and TCG Urban Infrastructure Holdings Ltd, is at the second phase of development now. The promoters are in the process of developing 136 acres in the second phase. In this phase, the park will offer an excellent campus type, serene ambience and will be a non-polluting area adjacent to the IT Park - a key input for a knowledge industry. A large number of colleges, research institutions and the Pune University will aid development of research, apart from providing skilled manpower.
Companies such as Emcure (14 Acres area), Shreya Biotech (10 Acres area) have already purchased plots. Also, discussions with several other domestic companies and large-scale entrepreneurs are in the final stages. It is also in the process of developing tie-ups with several research and academic institutions, international biotech parks and knowledge centres.
The park at Jalna, in an area of 100 acres, focuses on agriculture based biotechnology. It will be declared as an industrial township with MIDC providing land at concessional rates to help set up common research/scientific facility and for creating an academic center of excellence in the park. The major thrust areas of the park are gene discovery, bioremediation, fermentation technology, post harvest technology, bioinformatics and diagnostics. It has already held discussions with several leading academic and research institutions to develop tie-up.