The proposal for the national biotech policy has moved out of the Department of Biotechnology and is in circulation among the other concerned ministries. The document is shortly expected to reach the cabinet for consideration, Dr Bhan, secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India told Pharmabiz.

Talking about the new biotech park proposals received from various states, Dr Bhan said, "Though the states are forwarding the letter of intent for establishing biotech parks, no concrete proposals have been received by DBT other than the biotech parks on which work has already initiated. There are proposals for developing biotech parks in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal, but things are in a nascent stage. These states are studying various parameters at present."

"DBT is willing to support viable proposals and it is up to the developer, be it a State Government or a private developer, to ensure that the biotech park is a success," he added.

DBT is ensuring that right companies get right funds. The SBRI scheme will be beneficial to small and medium biotech companies to transform ideas into products. DBT plans to fund about Rs 40-50 crore this year. Next year, once the process gets streamlined, further funds can be pumped in, Dr Bhan informed.

When asked that many states are jumping to start biotech parks, but are there so many biotech companies in India that are looking for setting up base in such parks and does the demand really exist, Dr Bhan replied that parks should necessarily be there to attract investments. More parks should be in place than companies at any given point of time. India will have about 10-12 biotech parks by 2010, he added.

When biotech parks take a longer time to attract companies, they should not be blamed, as the decision to set up base in biotech park in a state or a country is influenced by a variety of factors such as regulatory efficiencies, infrastructure and support from all stake holders, he said.

Indian pharma and biopharma companies should develop a risk-taking attitude to increase investments on drug discovery. Central Government has however initiated numerous schemes to boost R&D in biotech and pharma in India, Dr Bhan added.