The master plan for the proposed Health Biotech Science Cluster (HBSC) at Faridabad in Haryana has been finalized and the site development work for the cluster already started. The cluster, aimed at giving a boost to innovative research in biotech sector, is expected to be operational in the next two years.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has identified 200 acres to set up the cluster at Faridabad, 40 km from New Delhi in the National Capital Region. The master plans have been finalized and detailed architectural planning of the cluster is currently underway. The site development work has already commenced and the construction of the main buildings is expected to start this year itself. The cluster is expected to become operational in 24 months from the date of start of construction, sources said.

The Faridabad cluster will have multiple institutions like a Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), comprising of several niche centres like the vaccine and infectious diseases centre, a paediatric biology centre, Platform Technology Centre, National (Clinical) Development Service Agency, Centre for Biodesign etc. and the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Training & Education. Faculty from the NII, New Delhi and the Harvard MIT Health Science and Technology Institute (HST), Cambridge, USA are closely involved in the designing and setting up the Translational institute at the NCR bio-cluster.

The objective of the cluster is to create a total eco-system for innovation on one campus. It will provide a new model of educational institutions along with the advanced centres for product development, clinical development, pilot facility, animal house, technology platforms, including specialized centres for vaccine development, molecular diagnostics and bio-design so that all services for taking a product idea from the bench to bed side can be offered at one location. The HBSC cluster will interact with the Bangalore cluster which is being set up around the Stem Cell Institute, C-CAMP and Plant Genome Centre at NCBS, GKVK Campus, Bangalore.

The first phase of work will start on the 40-acre land at Faridabad and the permanent laboratories are expected to come up over the next three years. DBT and the National Institute of Immunology (NII) will oversee the whole project.