The
positive economic outlook, the fact that India is the
fourth largest manufacturer of medicines in the world and
optimum research conditions make the subcontinent
one of the most promising markets for the life-sciences sector in the world.
Strong
investment and research climate
The Indian government supports biotechnology in
all sectors. According to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, expenditures for
research will increase from approximately 0.8 percent (2006) to two percent of
gross domestic product (GDP) by 2010. The official National Biotechnology
Development Strategy, which calls for setting up a biotechnology industry with
a sales target of seven billion US dollars by 2012, underscores this strategic
orientation. The government plans to make more than
1.1 billion Euros available to this
initiative over the next five years.
Percentage turnover of several biotech-sectors
| Sektor | 2006-2007 | 2005-2006 |
| BioPharma | 71 | 72 |
| BioServices | 13 | 11 |
| BioAgri | 10 | 9 |
| BioIndustry | 5 | 6 |
| BioInformatics | 2 | 2 |
Source: Association of
Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), 2007 The
Department
of Biotechnology (DBT), which belongs to the Ministry of Science and
Technology, coordinates all research activities in India. Important research
organizations such as the National Institute of Immunology in Delhi
and the National Center for Cell Science in Pune belong
to the DBT. High-priority projects in publically funded biotechnology research
include red (medical) and green biotech research, and transgenic cotton plants
in particular.
India's
many biotech parks and clusters and its more than 20,000 scientists are
indicative of the country's intense research activity and strong investment
climate. The most important clusters include Bangalore,
Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune-Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad-Vadodara.
The largest biotech park, which is more than 600 km² in size, is located in Hyderabad.
Green
biotechnology
Plant biotechnology is currently in the midst of
a boom. The amount of acreage used to cultivate genetically engineered plants
is increasing at a rapid pace. Commercially grown, genetically engineered
cotton in particular is very big in India. According to Indian GMO
Research Information Systems (IGMORIS), a total of 135 transgenic sorts of
biotech cotton plants are authorized for commercial cultivation in India (as of July
2007).
Intense
cooperation
More and more international corporations are
taking advantage of
favorable conditions
in India
and relocating their
research and development
activities there. One important economic factor is the ability to contract
research out to Indian companies. Lower wages make it possible to conduct
research in keeping with international guidelines at lower costs.
India
has bilateral agreements with more than 50 industrialized nations including
agreements covering the biotechnology sector, and efforts are being made to
accelerate technological development. One initiative between Germany and India is supposed to generate
interest in German-Indian cooperation among young Indian specialists. Some
4,000 Indian students were enrolled in German colleges and universities in 2008.
Source:
www.biotechnologie.de /
www.gtai.de 
