Indian biotechnology industry needs aggressive focus on innovation in research and development to achieve the next level of growth. The Association of Biotechnology Led Entrepreneurs(ABLE) has called for a three pronged strategy in this regard covering massive fund infusion for early stage projects in the form of ignition grants, more fiscal and tax incentives, setting up of a streamlined, single window regulatory body to make decisions that are transparent and based on scientific evidence, besides massive boost to infrastructure and capacity building.

Dr Satya Dash, chief operating officer, ABLE said that segments like bio-pharma, bio-agri and systems biology have been endeavouring to integrate R&D into the business models with success. Even Contract Research Organizations (CROs) have reached a threshold and strategizing themselves to grow as a ‘drug discovery’ firms rather than just remain as a contract research entities, he said.

In bio-pharma, R&D is taking place in combination vaccines, diabetes research, oncology, stem cell research, medical devices and diagnostics. The bio-agri and bio-industrial sectors are conducting innovative research in crops with improved yields and disease resistant, next generation bio-fuels and proprietary enzymes that have a role in food, textiles and other industries. Another important development has been in systems biology with several firms conducting research in predictive biology focusing on signalling pathway analysis, developing tools to analyse and integrate information such as next generation sequencing and imaging data, as well as developing virtual organ or disease models to facilitate drug discovery, ABLE India COO told Pharmabiz.

However, there are certain challenges unique to biotechnology research. These include long gestation period for products to reach the market and hence projects are risky. The sector lacks funding for early stage R&D projects that are essential to de-risk projects as well as boost innovation. “India requires a clear and streamlined regulatory process. These two go hand-in-hand. Investor confidence in this sector can only increase if they see a clear and streamlined regulatory landscape. At present we have too many regulatory bodies. What is needed is a single window framework but more importantly regulatory decisions based on scientific evidence rather than based on emotion as was the case in Bt-Brinjal. There needs to be a constant engagement between the regulators and industry,” he said.

There are few other issues too like lack of infrastructure as basic as having cold chain facilities, at the airports as well as across the distribution channels. What is also lacking is availability of well trained ‘industry ready’ workforce that is technically competent as well as possessing other business skills, he pointed out.