The buzzword in Hyderabad today is Biotech. The city is placed in an enviable position of capturing the growing potential of biotechnology thanks to the high quality scientific infrastructure, the progressive policies of the state government, the strength of the pharma industry, the presence of world class R&D institutions and skilled manpower. And the city will soon overtake Bangalore as the number one location for biotechnology, says Dr B S Bajaj, Chairman of the All-India Biotech Association, Southern Chapter.

There are more than 35 industrial units in and around Hyderabad producing or planning to produce both modern and conventional biotech products. The city takes pride in setting up the country''s first Hepatitis Vaccine manufacturing facility based on rDNA technology by Shanta Biotechnics and later by another plant, Bharat Biotech International. Shanta Biotech repeated its performance recently by indigenously producing and marketing insulin, called Shantaferon. It shares almost one-third of the bulk drugs manufactured in the country with Dr Reddy''s taking the lead. Hyderabad can really boast of being the Biotech City, Bajaj adds.

The CII and the Andhra Pradesh Technology Development and Promotion Centre, in association with the State government, have already set up an Intellectual Property Rights Facilitation Cell at ICICI Knowledge Park to assist the industry and the MNCs intending to invest in biotech and pharma projects. The Cell could be the hub of IPR services for the entire southern region. The objective of the Cell was to impart training, provide information and patent-related advisory services and assist the units on legal issues. It will network technology institutes and legal firms worldwide for the purpose.

"Hyderabad, no doubt, is doing very well in biotechnology. The Knowledge Park, the Biotech Park, the Genome Valley and other projects have given the city a cutting edge over other cities," he said.

Commenting on the role of All-India Biotech Association (AIBA) in promoting biotechnology in the country, Bajaj explained that the Association, a non-profit professional society and the only organization providing a common apex forum at the national level to represent the interest of all those who are engaged in biotech, like academia, research institutions and industry, so that biotechnology can progress much faster than the present rate of growth and more so in a planned direction.