BIOTECHNOLOGY

Advantage India

India has very interesting natural features like bio-diversity, varied species of flora and fauna, varied climatic zones, large population with varied demography, largest agriculture sectors, world-class information-technology industry, vibrant pharmaceutical sector and a large pool of scientific talent that creates almost a perfect environment for biotech companies to shift base here. With its large population of over a billion people, India also provides a huge market for products and services.

India has a rich human capital, which is the strongest asset for this knowledge-based industry. India has a large English speaking base and produces roughly 2.5 million graduates in IT, engineering and life sciences, about 650,000 post graduates and nearly 1500 PhDs qualified in biosciences and engineering each year. India has proved its competency in selected areas of biotechnology such as bioprocess engineering, skills in gene manipulation of microbes and animal cells, capacity in downstream processing and isolation methods, and its competence in recombinant DNA technology of plants and animals.

India has also allowed assisted stem cell research that permits researchers to use embryos from fertility clinics upon informed consent of the donors, thus giving it a clear head start in this new and promising field in Biotech. Clearly, India has the strength and capabilities in this industry, and a definite advantage to forge ahead and become the chosen location for many biotech companies looking for large markets and low cost qualified manpower to work in their R&D division.

The inherent strengths of the nation combined with rising public interest in this sector, growing investment by traditional business houses, tax incentives and the significant foreign investment available, poises Indian biotechnology sector to emerge as a significant force on the global biotech map.