Innovation corridors

Font Size

Print

Feedback

Email

Discuss

: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Kerala, Orissa, Assam, Goa and Rajasthan. The maximum number of such ‘knowledge parks’ are coming up in Gujarat followed by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka.

A similar number of special economic zones (SEZ) dedicated to the life sciences industry have been given the go-ahead by the government. These SEZs cover a total area of about 1,043 acres. Maharashtra has the highest number of SEZs approved, followed by Karnataka. Probably inspired by the success of IT industry, biotech seems concentrated in South. However, a strong momentum towards West and North India with increasing interest of the companies is anticipated.

Targeting domain-specific R&D activities like agribiotech, bioinformatics, bionanotech or pure-play drug development, companies are collaborating with these biotech hubs for specific research. No wonder, there is increased collaboration and mutual dependence between individuals, scientists and the corporate world to sail through these innovation corridors.

As of now, Hyderabad enjoys a dominant position in biotech and pharma research. It has witnessed infrastructural development in the biotech domain wherein ICICI Knowledge Park, SP Biotech Park, Genome Valley and other projects have come up giving the city an advantage over others. Over 53 international biotech companies have established their operations in the Genome Valley over the last one year. Additionally, this city will witness development of two biotech SEZs and three biotech parks in the next couple of years.

Real estate developers are obviously working hard on positioning their biotech parks. Genome Valley, which houses SP Biotech Park and ICICI Knowledge Park seem to be the frontrunner. SP Biotech Park, developed by Shapoorji Pallonji Company Ltd, is a joint venture with the Andhra Pradesh government, covering an area of 600 sq km with two phases of 142 acres and 160 acres. “Over nine universities are supporting the research activities,” says P Gopal Krishnan, head, SP Biotech Park.

ICICI Knowledge Park, spread over a 200-acre campus in the Genome Valley houses biotech majors who have invested over Rs 300 crore. So far, there are 30 R&D companies; out of these, 11 have graduated and currently, there are 19 companies (12 Indian, 5 American, 1 German and 1 Japanese company). “The mandate is to develop an innovation hub around a research park so that the region becomes globally competitive, says ICICI Knowledge Park CEO, Deepanwita Chattopadhyay.