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| NBRI chanting PPP mantra for research |
| BS Reporter / New Delhi Sep 30, 2009, 00:21 IST |
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Lucknow-based National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) will soon set the ball rolling for public-private partnership (PPP) model to bring its research work in the public and commercial domain.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) lab is planning to invite top companies, including MNCs and make a presentation of its research work for jointly pursuing further research and if necessary, human and safety trials for commercial production.
One of the researches that NBRI is keen about is the transgenic tomato and banana varieties, whose shelf life has been extended by almost two weeks.
This will help in saving the perishable consignment during transportation over long distances and export.
“The next stage for these genetically modified (GM) fruit varieties is the bio-safety clearance, which would require trials on small and big animals by administering 2-3 grams of their protein,” NBRI Director Rakesh Tuli told Business Standard.
Under the PPP model, NBRI will select the most suitable company and jointly apply before the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) for clearance.
He said no Indian agriculture bio-tech company was expert in making the protein for such trials.
“Under the Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP) of the central Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the government funds research work with loans of up to Rs 20 crore on 2 per cent interest to be repaid after completion of the project. However, the Indian biotech companies have not shown much interest,” he added.
Tuli observed that the time had come to allow central labs to set up Section 25 companies to ensure continuity in research work to commercialisation. The profits made by the Section 25 company would be ploughed back to the parent lab.
“This issue is being discussed in the CSIR and DBT so that such profit making entities could be set up,” he added.
Tuli further noted that the remuneration to scientists should be hiked for evoking their interest in post-research work, including safety trials and commercialisation.
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