Gujarat needs to focus on innovation: DBT

Gujarat requires a focus on better higher education and greater public acceptability to make biotechnology sector more vibrant and attract more investment in this sector, noted a top government functionary at the 6th edition of BioInvest 2010 in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. 

Even as Gujarat has evolved itself as a preferred destination for pharmaceuticals and R&D activities, the state is said to be lagging behind in providing quality human resource for the biotechnology sector.

"Gujarat has a huge potential for developing biotechnology industry in the state, but the state has much to do for improving higher education, which will further open investment avenues in this sector," said Dr M K Bhan, secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. 

Bhan noted that Gujarat stands at fifth position with respect to the development of biotechnology industry among other states of the country. "Gujarat stands fifth, while states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh are doing fairly good among other states,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the conference today.

"In states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the innovation machinery is good, while Gujarat is good in manufacturing. So, in order to bring more innovation to this sector there is a need to make 2-3 universities here that has its focus on life sciences. Gujarat can do better in higher education but the State lags entrepreneurship in higher education," stated Bhan.

Ravi Saxena, additional chief secretary, Department of Science & Technology, government of Gujarat maintained that Gujarat holds strong base in industries like pharmaceutical, chemicals, and food and beverages, which would provide an ideal ecosystem for the development of the biotech industry in the state.

"With the current landscape already comprising of more than 127 Biotechnology companies and many support organisations, the government is committed to develop the biotech sector in Gujarat in a holistic way, by creating not only a conducive environment, but also providing good infrastructure and support," Saxena added. Commenting about the fresh project proposals from Gujarat, Bhan stated that the state was slow in sending project proposals in the biotech sector.

However, Gujarat already has Ahmedabad and Vadodara as prominent biotech clusters having presence of some of the notable companies including Veeda Research, Lambda Therapeutics besides several others.