The US-based $800 million Millipore Corporation, a global high technology bioscience company, has unveiled a strategic growth initiative in terms of both technology and manpower for its Indian operations, Millipore India, as part of its $160 million investments world wide in facilities.

The plans cover Millipore India's new facilities, process development lab and the access services laboratory set up last year to tap India's potential as an emerging R&D hub for the biotech-pharma sectors. ``This is where we are looking at investments for the next 10 years. The facility will also target the future like production of vaccines and biotech advanced medicines,'' said Jean-Paul Mangeolle, vice president, WW Field Operations, Bio-Pharmaceutical Division, Millipore Corporation who was India with Daniel Stamm, general manager, Europe, Millipore Corporation to understand the market trends and network with all Millipore India branches.
"The visit also was for gaining knowledge in India in terms of science, laboratory technology and to invest in training," they said.

As an expansion strategy for India, the company also plans to hire more technical professionals who are postgraduates and doctorates in microbiology, pharmaceuticals, biochemistry and virology. The company has eight professionals for technical support, which will increase to 20 this year. The staff will be sent to US, France and Singapore for an intensive training programme.

"Further, there are investments made by Indian pharma-biotech companies in augmenting manufacturing capacity to either export or develop drugs moving off-patent. Millipore is interested in this trend because it is an opportunity for the future," Jean-Paul Mangeolle, told pharmabiz.com

In keeping with the trends in the sector, Millipore, has introduced separators for clarification in fermentation and mass spectrometry for chromatography since separation steps are more intensive for biotech drugs than classical drugs. A new range of disposable manufacturing solutions like plastic bags and disposables vials are offered to replace stainless steel tanks and vessels to help customers work faster and better.

As a company policy, Millipore India reports to Europe. In order to keep the knowledge and the expertise of the employees at the highest level, there will be regular exchange of staff in both directions, stated Daniel Stamm.

Our application knowledge and sound foundation of scientific background gives us the edge even in India where we are market leaders and depending on the global market, we are number one or two, they stated.