The Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM), the state government-run biotech initiative to boost the sector through support to the industry, is expected to commence civil works soon for its incubator facility in the upcoming Gujarat Biotech Park (GBTP), at Savli, Vadodara to support the start up biotech firms.

The GSBTM has finalised the design for a two lakh square feet lab space facility through a committee of experts from various fields of biotechnology, including the industry representatives. Plans are to float tenders for project management consultants and for construction works in a couple of months, informs Akshay Saxena, mission director, Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission.

The incubation centre, comprising facilities like modular wet labs, pilot plant, common equipment library, plant tissue culture facility and animal tissue culture facility apart from a green house, is a highlight of the Park developed under public private partnership. The incubation centre is included in the first phase of the project, which is in the stage of nearing completion.

The Mission is currently resolving some issues with the state ministry for revenue on the plot for incubator facility. The talks in the department level are on advanced stage and the dispute is expected to successfully settle shortly, according to sources from the state government.

"Our mission is to catalyse the growth of biotech segment in the state through consolidating and mobilising the industry. We have also initiated programmes to attract more companies into the state. Some of the top biotech companies have shown interest in setting their operations in the state, but nothing has been finalised as of now," said Saxena.

The Rs 2000 crore Biotech Park is developed by the Gujarat Akruti-TCG Biotech Ltd (GATB Ltd), a joint venture company of GSBTM, Government of Gujarat in collaboration with the Mumbai-based Akruti City Ltd and The Chatterjee Group (TCG) Ltd. While the first phase of the Park would be developed by the Mission, the second and third phases are to be completed by the private partners, as per the agreement.

As the part of phase I programme, one company - the Mumbai-based Zytex Biotech - has already commenced production activities even as Bills Biotech and Laxai Avanti Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, a contract research organization, provides drug research and development services, are in the process of setting up operations in the Park. Another three to four companies has also started their projects in the Park, informs the Mission officials.

The private partner, Akruti City Ltd has already started civil works for the phase II development of the parks and has commenced marketing activities a year ago. The phase II project will be ready for operation in a few months, said Saxena. The phase II project includes setting up of multi tenant wet labs (MTWL) to enable new entrepreneur or establishment to set up their own laboratories and initiate the business activities without blocking their precious capital in land and buildings. The companies occupying space in the biotech park and whose construction is underway can hire suitable space for the shorter span.

Designed to complete in three phases, the project has been developed with the help of the credit ratings organization, Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited (CRISIL), Yes Bank, Corporation Bank and other investment advisors. The Akruti City has a major stake of more than 60 per cent in the consortium, while TCG would hold 23 per cent stake and the remaining would be held by the Gujarat government.