SP Biotech Park ropes in global firms to set up R&D units

B V Mahalakshmi - Hyderabad

Shapoorji Pallonji Biotech Park, being developed by the Genome Valley, Hyderabad, in association with the Andhra Pradesh government, completed bookings for its first phase covering 140 acres.

The park has roped in many global majors to set up their first India based R&D units. The companies in the park include Albany Molecular, Biogenex, Issar Pharmaceuticals, Tata Chemicals. And the park houses a mix of companies involved in high-end research in biotechnology and nanotechnology, manufacturers of biopharmaceuticals and molecular diagnostic kits, apart from Contract Research Organisations (CROs).

S Dhawan, chief executive of SP Biotech Park said, ‘‘Looking at the demand from the industry, we are confident of completing the second phase where 75 per cent of the space has already been booked.’’ The second phase constitutes about 160 acres and the developmental activities are underway.

Dhawan expects the second phase to be booked completely by the end of this year. Moreover, the country’s first incubation centre, supported by the department of biotechnology and Andhra Pradesh government is expected to be operational by mid-2006. ‘‘We have approached the state government and are in the process of identifying additional land for the third phase of the park,’’ Dhawan said.

Another 120 acres may be allotted by the end of this month to kickstart the third phase. ‘‘With research activities gaining momentum, we are getting enquiries from many domestic companies as well. While Tata Chemicals was allotted about 2.5 acres to be used for industrial biotech products and nanotech research facilities, Biogenex is setting up its first India research centre for manufacturing diagnostic kits on about 4.5 acres. Another 19 acres has been allotted to Vivo Bio,’’ he explained.

Further, SP Biotech Park also plans to build facilities to be used as wet laboratories. The park has already signed agreements with Cushman Weikfield, Albany, and another Boston-based company for setting up their wet lab facilities. Each lab is a module of 2,000 sq ft to be built on a 24,000 sq ft area. Besides, a modern township for residents of the Genome Valley is also being developed, he added.

— Financial Express