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We are today ready to take the next leap . Today with over 500 Start ups and SME ’ s , 100 Entrepreneurs being a part of this ecosystem , we have nearly 50 products in different stages of development and commercialization . Our target is scaling this 10 times in the next 5 years . We are confident that with the enthusiasm we see in the community we can do this .
The way forward
In Indian context , the above key elements could be implemented in collaboration and partnership with other ministries , departments , state governments and international agencies . Be it the basic research , technology transfer or the product development , it could be taken forward based on the lines of PPPs in Europe where the focus in more on translation research .
“ Quantum jump is what is required for this sector . India has got huge potential due to age bracket edge we have got . Investors should sometimes just think beyond profit / loss account . We have good infrastructure now in place at many places . Gap exists between R & D and companies grasping research output . We do have great institutions but we lack in cohesion . Need for clusters . We have to bridge the valley of death . Partnerships a major way out ,” Mr Y S Chowdhary points out . And we wouldn ’ t agree more .
Therefore , government must
Dr Renu Swarup , Managing Director , BIRAC launch four major missions in healthcare , food and nutrition , clean energy and education . Create a technology development and translation network across India with global partnerships . Ensure strategic and focused investment in building human
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capital by setting up a Life Sciences and Biotechnology Education Council . Besides that , the Israel ’ s experience tells us that government must create an innovative capital fund .
Dr Ajoy Kumar , a political leader and head of one of the prominent clinical research organizations has a different perspective on the issue . He feels there should be a separate ministry for biotechnology in India . “ Since the DBT is a politically unimportant department , the attention is lesser comparatively . We need a separate biotechnology ministry with a dedicated minister to streamline the regulatory clearances which currently are being managed by multiple ministries .” The matter of course is debatable but doesn ’ t seem to be even impossible given the way India has listed the sector on the host list of favorites .
Experts across the table agree that biotechnology and medical innovations have got huge potential in the longer run . Now , having made its foundation stronger , the Indian industry ’ s next step is to scale up its business enterprises . India can achieve success by putting in
Conviction , determination , truthfulness and madness defines entrepreneurship . The government is doing everything within its power to give Indian entrepreneurs a platform to take their ideas to the world and vie with the best .
Dr Harsh Vardhan , Union Minister for Science and Technology
place right ingredients . The favorable environment to budding researchers and conversion of innovations into products can be the quickest of them all . While there are assurances and statistics , it goes without saying , the words in policy rooms have to translate into more action .
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BioVoiceNews | October 2016