The Centre is planning a number of measures to push the private companies further into research and development activities and increase their Research and Development (R&D) funds, as the industry share at present remains very low in India compared to other countries in the life sciences and biotechnology areas.

At present, the contribution of private sector is estimated around 25 per cent of the national R&D expenditure and the aim is to enhance it to at least 50 per cent by the end of the 12th Five Year Plan, sources in the Department of Biotechnology said.

Apart from the current programmes like Small Business Innovative Research Initiative (SBIRI), Biotechnology Ignition Grants (BIG), the Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP), the government is planning to help more incubators and translational research platforms for product development to push the contribution of the private sector.

Funding provided by the private sector in India is significantly lower as compared to international norms of 1.3-1.4 of GDP. In France, industry performs over 63 per cent (of all R&D) and funds around 54 per cent projects while this figure is 69 per cent in Japan. In India, contribution of private sector industries is estimated at around 25 per cent of national R&D expenditure, sources said.

The SBIRI, launched in 2007, has benefited more than 100 small and medium biotech enterprises at the total cost of Rs. 316 crores which includes 48 per cent of industry contribution. The BIPP has so far benefited 51 companies undertaking research in futuristic high risk technologies at a total cost of Rs. 116 crores including 60 per cent of industry contribution.

“By strengthening the existing programmes and launching new schemes, the government hopes that the contribution of industry in R&D in life sciences and biotechnology will go up marginally in the coming years,” sources said.