"We have picked up equity worth Rs 1 crore and put in additional money to the tune of Rs 3.5 crore in the form of NCDs into the company", Varaprasad Reddy said on Thursday.

The strategic investment is to make an entry into marine biotechnology and develop betacarotine and blood clotting agents from sea–weed and other marine materials, company officials later said.

Shantha Boitechnics made a name for itself as the first to develop an indigenous r-DNA vaccine for the dreaded hepatitis-B virus and took on multinational Smith Kline Beecham which had a monopoly over the Indian market for the vaccine.

Further to its success with the hepatitis-B vaccine and the expected launch of the anti-cancer drug interferon alpha later next year, the company has identified genetic engineering of microbes, plants and animals for cloning as future areas for focus, Reddy said.

Shantha is also looking at plant-based drugs and the development of DNA vaccines though it could take some more time, he said.

The development of edible vaccines from plant varieties and their screening for anti-viral properties will be a major thrust of the future research at the facility which was inaugurated by scientific advisor to the government of India APJ Abdul Kalam on Friday. Apart from oral vaccines the company was also looking at the development of nasal sprays, Reddy added.