‘‘Understanding the mysteries of life is the challenge of biotech”

‘Manipal Acunova’ is committed to bringing the intellectual acumen of Manipal Health Sciences University to innovation in drug discovery. Its scientists bring innovation to drug discovery and doctors bring speed to drug approval for clients worldwide. Manipal Acunova provides credible quality data which are accurate, reproducible and accepted worldwide, with its clinical trial sites conforming to ICH-GCP guidelines, says Dr Ramananda S Nadig, in an exclusive interview with R BabyManoj. Excerpts:

What is the status of biotechnology as a science in the country? Is it still in its infancy?

Life sciences holds the future. In the new millennium biology has replaced chemistry as the leading science and with biotechnology joining hands with information technology, doors to the library of life are thrown open. Understanding this mystery of life is the challenge of life sciences and biotechnology.

Rapid advances in medicine have thrown open unprecedented prospects to intervene in the process of life. Biotechnology as a science, though in its infancy, is one such prospect. We in India seem to have understood that as our capacity to intervene becomes greater, so should our awareness that we are an endangered species with heightened responsibilities and hence this great thrust on biotechnology.

Despite its existence for more than two decades, there are not many biotech companies. Comment

While Biocon is a great example of harnessing our biotechnology capabilities, many more infants have taken tiny steps and need effective nurturing to grow into mature biotech companies.

Do you observe a shift in interest from information technology to biotechnology by the ‘techpreneurs’?

Techpreneurs have realised the potential of synergising information technology and biotechnology and various advantages are evident in tools being developed by premier companies like Satyam Strand Genomics etc who are closely working with biotech companies to innovate.

Do you expect major pharmaceutical companies in India like Ranbaxy, Dr Reddy’s and so on to focus on biotechnology or establishing own subsidiaries?

Major pharmaceutical companies in India and abroad are evincing keen interest in biotechnology and products that appeared difficult to develop indigenously are no longer distant with many breakthroughs from Bharat-Shantha, Wockhardt and Biocon. The biopharmaceutical market is estimated to be in excess of INR 5000 million growing rapidly.

To cater to this market, many new entrants are vying with each other with a variety of generic biotech products.

Breakthroughs in vaccines, recombinant DNA products and other biopharmaceuticals will stimulate the industry to consider ushering in a biotech revolution. The Indian government is doing its best to achieve economic growth with social objective by motivating the biotechnology sector to create an enabling environment for innovation thereby empowering the industry both for public good and for profit research.

What are the latest areas in biotechnology which offer hope for taking on major challenges before researchers in the form of cancer and other incurable diseases?

Among the latest areas that offer hope for taking on major challenges posed by incurable diseases, post IPR regime are:

a) Basic and applied research in molecular and cellular biology, genomics, proteomics stem cell biology, RNA interference, host response and new platform technologies.

b) Molecular mechanics and pathogenesis of disease transmission.

c) Vaccines, diagnostics and new therapies based on cell-tissue replacement, therapeutic antibodies.

d) Regenerative and genomic medicine with DNA and stem cell banking facilities.

e) Bio-engineering and nanotechnology with emphasis on tissue engineered replacement therapies.

f) Regenerative therapy for failing myocardium.

g) Bioinformatics and IT enabled biotechnology.

What is the progress of stem cell research in India? What role does biotechnology play in this new area?

Significant progress in molecular biology and stem cell technologies have seen India contributing to the increasing emphasis on stem cell therapy. ‘Sathyam brihad ritam ugram, vishwam dharayanthi’- truth and highest ethics sternly applied to all our dealings will only keep this world growing. Encouraging early results of stem cell therapy in regenerative medicine will propel further work in this area.

Stem cell research mainly uses adult, embryonic and cord blood stem cells. The major focus of the stem cell research has been in the area of embryonic stem cells and cord blood. In embryonic stem cells, research has taken place mainly in Asia and South-East Asian countries such as - India, China, Taiwan and Singapore. Due to ethical issues, stem cell research has been banned in the US and the UK. In India, stem cell research is being conducted in three institutes only namely, NCBS, Reliance and Manipal Health Systems.

What is the potential of Bangalore as a major biotechnology destination?

Bangalore, the silicon valley of India known for its IT destination will become the BT destination as well. The success story of Biocon will motivate many biotech companies to emulate the example and carve out a niche in this sector. A true synergy between IT and BT can be seen in companies like Strand Genomics which are drawing algorithms for life based on various biotechnological parameters.

Where does the Manipal Acunova stand in the landscape of biotechnology?

Manipal Acunova, committed to ethical practice in healthcare and clinical research, is a recent entrant that wishes to assist biopharmaceutical - discovery, development and therapeutics. Our foray into this space is the culmination of our strong knowledge base of Manipal Health Science University combined with our rich experience in clinical research.

Could you throw some light on your company’s origin, its current performance and future plans?

Manipal Acunova is committed to bringing the intellectual acumen of India’s leading health sciences university to innovation in drug discovery. Our scientists bring innovation to drug discovery and our doctors speed up drug approval for clients worldwide. Our values are integrity, quality, speedy execution and humane touch. Our 1,300 doctors who see 1.2 million patients a year, make the difference to our clients. Manipal Acunova provides credible quality data which are accurate, reproducible and accepted worldwide, with its clinical trial sites conforming to ICH-GCP guidelines.

Drawing inspiration from having participated in clinical research for both national and international companies, Manipal Acunova would wish to offer the following services such as - clinical research (preclinical studies, clinical Trials), clinical development services and discovery research, clinical reference lab and clinical data management.

Could you predict the status of biotechnology sector ten years down the lane in India and globally?

With the emergence of the new IPR regime, we in India are forced to introspect our capabilities and potential. What is most significant is that the Indian government is considering a ‘National Biotechnology Development Strategy’ encompassing strategic actions in the areas of human resource development, infrastructure development, promotion of industry and trade through biotech parks, streamlining of regulatory mechanisms, creation of bioresources and an innovative environment, thrust on bioinformatics and IT enabled biotechnology and alignment of IPR and patent law.

As a developing country, India contributes to eight per cent of the world biotech market. The future could see India grow vibrantly and contribute its might fitting its geographical size and availability of ‘‘the Indian Human Resources.’’