Mumbai-based IBM Life Sciences would soon sign a partnership with the Pune University to set up a 'Center of Excellence' (CoE) in the University. The Centre is, expected to be commissioned by the end of 2004. As part of the plan, the company will set up a high-end biotech and bioinformatics research facility embedded with data storage capacity of 4 terra bytes. IBM would also employ its latest hardware tools at the centre.

Companies based in Pune and the neighbouring regions that do not have the necessary infrastructure for large-scale biotechnology or bioinformatics research on their own could utilize this facility, said Prof. AS Kolaskar, vice chancellor, Pune University. "We will be charging a fee from the companies utilising our CoE facility," said Prof Kolaskar.

IBM Life Sciences is also planning to bring some of its research projects across the globe to the CoE. "It will be a tremendous experience for the students and faculty of Pune University to work over such projects. At a later stage proteomics and genomics related research projects are also expected at the centre," he said. IBM and the state government will fund the project jointly. However the exact amount required for investment has to be worked out, he said.

The CoE is part of Maharashtra Biotechnology Commission's (MBC) strategy to spearhead the growth of biotechnology in the country. MBC was framed in the Maharashtra Biotech Policy of 2001. The 'International Biotech Park' at Hinjewadi, Pune was the government's first initiative to set up a biotech infrastructure in the state.

The park is a JV between The Chatterjee Group (TCG) and MIDC, where the former holds a majority stake of 88 per cent. Recently, the park management appointed IBM Life Sciences as consultants for the development of the park. IBM would also be giving advises to the state government on biotech initiatives it needs to adopt.

IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM Life Sciences brings together IBM resources - from research, services, and e-business expertise to data and storage management and high-performance computing - offering new solutions for the life sciences market, including the biotechnology, genomic, e-health, pharmaceutical, and agri-science industries.