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 | | Dear Friend,
Greetings and a Very Happy New Year.
This being the time for new beginnings, ABLE (Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises) takes the opportunity to launch enABLE, the monthly newsletter to promote an awareness- | |
based interaction among the Indian Biotech fraternity. The objective of the e-newsletter is to throw light and initiate a greater synergy between research & industry; people & organizations, with an Indian perspective.
This issue of enABLE carries a diverse collage of information - about the progress of the Biotech industry; interesting happenings in member companies; and the relevance of Information Technology in biotechnology.
In particular, do not miss the note about the survey conducted by ABLE and BioSpectrum on the status of the Indian Biotech industry. ABLE is glad to inform that the first phase of the competitive benchmarking study of the Indian Biotech industry taken up by Frost & Sullivan is in progress. We will keep you informed.
ABLE hopes that enABLE will mould a vision for the greater common good of the Indian Biotech industry. We look forward to your views, feedback and articles. Do write to us at info@ableindia.org.
Sincerely,
ABLE Team
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If you wish to recommend enABLE to your colleagues in the industry, write to us at info@ableindia.org with their Email ids. We will seek their permission to subscribe. It's free!
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The FIRST EVER SURVEY of the Indian Biotech Industry
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ABLE, with BioSpectrum carried out a pioneering and comprehensive survey of the Indian Biotech industry. The size of the industry has zoomed to Rs. 1830 crores in 2002-03 (Rs. 2305 crores, if one adds suppliers too) and the sector is poised for a growth of 25-30% in the current fiscal, which is comparable to growth in the IT sector.
Some factual findings of the survey:
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Biocon, Panacea Biotec, Wipro, Wockhardt, and Haffkine the top five players in India.
Biotech employs 6400 people, up by 64%.
Exports account for 53% at Rs. 875 crore.
Investments top Rs. 600 crore in 2002-03.
39% companies are based in the South.
Industry expects 25-30% growth and double in two years.
You can download the complete survey (in PDF format) by clicking here
ABLE engages Frost & Sullivan for competitive benchmarking study of the Indian Biotech industry
The first phase of the study on Competitive Benchmarking of the Indian Biotech Industry being conducted by ABLE and Frost & Sullivan, is in progress. The study aims to benchmark Indian Biotech vis-a-vis global biotech hubs, and script a roadmap to maximize growth of the Indian Biotech industry.
The study comprises two phases and three major verticals - Medical Biotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology and Industrial Biotechnology. Phase 1 will involve mapping the capabilities of over 50 companies encompassing the breadth and spread of the Indian Biotech industry. Phase 2 will involve benchmarking the Indian Biotech capabilities vis-a-vis the global biotech hubs.
Biotech growth in 2003: The catalysts for success
Success in the biotechnology industry in 2003 and beyond will require effective strategies in three key areas: science and technology, business & finance and legal matters. Failure or lack of attention in any one area can lead to failure of the enterprise.
Full article |By Raymond Van Dyke, from Washington Business Journal
Growth Cohorts
The biotech sector in south India is witnessing a new paradigm shift by evolving into an impressive cluster of networked biotech enterprises from being standalone enterprises. As a result of this, Bangalore for biotech and related services, and Hyderabad for biopharma have emerged as centres of excellence.
Full story |from The Economic Times, by Anil Urs.
Sanmar Speciality acquires Bangalore Genei
The Sanmar group has entered bio-tech business through an acquisition - Sanmar Speciality Chemicals Ltd today announced the acquisition of Bangalore Genei Pvt Ltd.
Full story |from Business Line
ABLE gives clean chit to Shankinase
The Association of Biotechnology-Led Enterprises has given a clean chit to Shankinase, the recombinant streptokinase developed by the Hyderabad based Shantha Biotechnics.
Full story |from Deccan Chronicle
Novo mulls Indian manufacturing base
Danish pharma major Novo Nordisk is exploring the option of setting up a manufacturing base in India. The company is believed to be interested in producing insulin, one of its high value products, in the country.
Full story |from The Economic Times, by Jeetha D'Silva
ABLE Co-Sponsored Events
- Seminar on "India: The New Emerging R & D Hub for Knowledge Based Industries" held on November 20, 2003 at Mumbai. ABLE made a presentation on - "Harnessing Biotechnology Potential in India".
- Workshop on "The Patent's Act: The Way Ahead. A Dialogue Between the Government and Key Stakeholders." held on August 28, 2003 at Mumbai. ABLE made a presentation on "Biotechnology: Fair Game for India."
- Workshop on Bio-IT-An Important Futuristic Technology held on July 14-16, 2003 at Bangalore. ABLE made a presentation on - "ABLE - Vision and Objectives".
ABLE Represented Events
- "UNIDO - Asia-Pacific Biotechnology Forum" held on December 15-18 at Chengdu, China. ABLE chaired a session on "Forging Viable Bioindustry Partnerships in the Asia Pacific Region".
- Seminar on "Intellectual Property Rights" held on November 17-18, 2003 at Hyderabad. ABLE made a presentation on "TRIPS Agreement & Biotechnology Issues".
- Seminar on "Bio-Convergence for Excellence." held on September 24-27, 2003 at Hyderabad. ABLE made a presentation on - "Global Recognition of The Indian Biotech Sector".
ABLE Led Delegation
- Asia-Pacific Industrial Development Forum on Biotechnology
An ABLE-led delegation of Agri-Biotech companies, under the leadership of Dr. K.K. Narayanan, Managing Director, Metahelix, visited Thailand between 8th & 10th October 2003, for exploring collaborative projects with NSTDA, Thailand and the Agri-Biotech companies.
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"Its like tearing six volumes of the Encyclopaedia Brittanica into pieces, then trying to put it all back together to read the information" - on the effort that is involved in determining the order and organization of the nongenic sequences with unknown function, which is 95% of the Genome and often called "junk".
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What can we do with the genome? Will it fundamentally affect our understanding of biology and the way we practice medicine, or has it been the world's most expensive stamp collecting exercise?
Click here for an interesting insight on the human genome project.
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Applications of Distributed Computing to Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery
Distributed computing is the parcelling out of large computing tasks to numerous computers that may be located anywhere in the world. The potential power and low cost of distributed computer networks make them a promising solution for biotechnology firms in need of massive computing power.
Full Article |from About.com
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Transgenics can produce fortified crops
The tools for transgenics or rDNA (recombinant DNA) technology has opened up newer areas for research, such as biofortification of foods. Transgenics or genetic variability is the basic raw material for all breeding programmes and the next generation in transgenics research includes enhanced nutritional content, functional foods and phytoceuticals, plant-derived plastics and polymers and plant-based vaccines.
Full article |from The Financial Express, by Mahalakshmi
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