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BioTechnology Opportunities in Tamil nadu
Tamil nadu is rich in bio-resources. The State is located in the
Southernmost part of India close to the equator and its seven
agro-climatic zones provide substantial advantages of biodiversity that
can rarely be found in any other part of the world. The forest,
agricultural and plant resource base of the State is both large and
diverse and represents a great market opportunity for biotechnology
products. There are more than 5000 species of flowering
plants and the forest cover in the state spreads 22500 sq.km .
The State has a long coastline that stretches on the west facing the
Arabian Sea which presents opportunities for marine biotechnology.
The State Govt. has recognized its inherent strengths of
land-based and marine-based bio-diversity and its traditional
medicinal expertise and is seeking to create value through knowledge
industries such as biotechnology.
TAMILNADU was the
first state in India to bring an exclusive Biotech Policy in September, 2000
for the economic development of the state integrating the Bioresources
and the technical capabilities available within the state.
Tamil Nadu governments biotech policy
Biotechnology initiative of TIDCO
The Indian biotech industry is poised for tremendous growth from
Rs.90 billion to Rs.240 billion by 2010. Recognising this trend, Tamil
Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (TIDCO) assisted the State
Government in the formulation and adoption of a Biotechnology Policy
aimed at generating employment opportunities and economic
development. The large pool of scientific talent available at a
reasonable cost, a wealth of R&D institution, rich and varied
biodiversity, strong IT skills, a highly qualified English speaking
yet relatively cost-effective workforce and the State's biotech
friendly policies have contributed to Multinational and Indian research
companies venturing into this sector with confidence,
Milestones of State Biotechnology Initiatives
1999 - Rs. 67million Women's
Biotechnology Park created at Chennai in 20 acres.
2000 - High Power Committee headed by
Prof. M.S. Swaminathan formulates comprehensive Biotech Policy for the State.
2000 - Tamil Nadu Biotechnology Board a
technical cum Advisory Body was constituted by Govt with
Dr.M.S.Swaminathan &, eminent scientists and policy planners of state /
central Govts. to streamline the biotech activities in the State and also
formulate / make amendments in the State Biotechnology Policies from time to
time.
2004 - TICEL Bio Part Ltd : Rs. 625
million, world class Biotechnology Park in technical collaboration
with Cornell University, USA at Chennai, the completed lab space for Biotech
activities.
In the Pipeline
Marine Biotechnology Park
India is blessed with a long coastline of 8,000 km and the warm,
tropical waters sustain great biodiversity, a treasure house for
medicinal, cosmetic, nutritional and industrial applications. Tamil Nadu
State is strategically situated in the southern part of the Indian
Peninsula and its 1,000 km coastline stretches from the west on the
Arabian Sea around the Indian Ocean on the South to the east along the
Bay of Bengal.
TIDCO is proposing to establish a Marine Biotechnology Park at an
approximate cost of Rs.660 million to harness these resources. A
feasibility report is being finalised and TIDCO will shortly be
looking for a partner to develop the Park which is Proposed to be
located on 300 acres of land near Mamallapuram, 40 Km south of
Chennai.
- Common Bio-Resource Centre
- Supporting infrastructure
- Clean sea water
- Effluent Management
- Lands for commercialising discoveries.
Medicinal Plant Biotech Park
Please provide details TIDCO signed agreement with M/s
Occimum Pharma Ltd. in associate sector for propagation of 23 types of medicinal
plans in 180 acres sirumalai and extraction and formulation of Phyto-Pharma
products at a cost of Rs.14.5 crores .
Life science Venture Capital Fund:
Corpus fund of Rs.50 crores is proposed by TIDCO and IL & FS to target Biotech Projects.
Tamil Nadu Biotech Cell is being
created to act as a Single Point of Contact for providing information /
guidance / facilitation to the entrepreneurs / etc. for venturing into
biotech areas and also for setting up biotech manufacturing industries in
the State of Tamil Nadu.
Bio Initiatives Key Strengths of Tamil Nadu:
- Creation of sector - wise Bio Parks with common infrastructure and
facilities to minimize capital cost by individual industries.
- Access to biological materials, new technologies, process and knowledge
through collaborative technology networking with leading national /
international universities and research institutes.
- Industry academic partnership for strategic research, product planning and
contract research.
- Pro - active State Policy.
- Single Window Mechanism and Tamil Nadu Biotech Cell for mentoring support.
- BT enabling services to protect Bio -piracy, IPR, patent etc.
- Biotech industry association for addressing current issues.
- Advisory body with eminent scientists for addressing industry issues.
- Venture capital funding support.
MESSAGE
"Tamil Nadu is the first State in the country to develop
a well - defined Biotechnology Policy and to set up an All Women Biotechnology
Park. The State's Biotechnology Policy provides for Bioparks, Marine and
Herbal Biovalleys, Biovillages and Biopartnerships between rural and tribal
women and men and private and public sector companies. Through the effective
implementation of all these programmes, Tamil Nadu will become the Biotechnology
State of India".
- Prof. M.S. Swaminathan,
Chairman
Tamil Nadu Biotechnology Board
Chennai
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