biotechnology industry in kerala: a view from the trenches

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A View From the Trenches

Biotechnology industry in Kerala, as seen by a young biotech startup


ubio Biotechnology Systems Pvt. Ltd. Is a start-up biotechnology venture that focuses on Development and manufacture of low-cost diagnostic Kits for clinical diagnosis

Started in 2008. Target Markets: human , veterinary and

industrial diagnostics Research Focus on Biochip diagnostics for

cancer , TB and tropical diseases. Currently manufacturers 57 diagnostic

products

Introduction


The Triad of IndustrialisationRegulations

Education Market

Industry


Is there a market for biotech products in Kerala? What are our needs that can be addressed by

biotechnology? Waste disposal, low-cost healthcare, vector control,

agricultural productivity, food preservation and processing, what else?

We need better studies:Local need identification and market sizingAssessment of economic value of social benefitsScope of government participation and incentive creation

Self-sufficient healthcare – the Cuba exampleChikungunya, Dengue, Filaria, TB, Endosulfan

Who should be interested?Why cant we develop diagnostics, vaccines, medicines and equipments?

The Biotech Market in Kerala


National and international markets Diagnostics and medicines for tropical diseases Low-cost instrumentation and medical software Contract Research Plant molecules – how to commercialize our

biodiversity? Preservation, processing and value addition of food

products

The Biotech Market for Kerala


Quality of our biotechnology graduates is apallingOnly general theoretical knowledgeNo practical exposureLack of well-equipped training labsHigh cost of consumablesBest students do not come to biotech

Industry training and participation essential Government should promote industry-education partnership

through incentivised apprenticeship programs. Kerala has the potential to become a biotechnology training

hub like Singapore

Biotech Education


The cutting edges are now at intersections!

Innovation needs inter-disciplinary thought and focus

Promote ad-hoc educationMake it possible for individuals to subscribe to

specific courses (say, just take immunology classes instead of an entire biotech course)

Relax pre-qualification requirements (say, any engineer should be able to take a biotech degree after taking a few preparatory classes).

Relax age bars in education

Biotech Education


Good Product Research is non-existant Lack of accountability in research is a big problem Project audits required

What was spent?Why was it spent?What is the outcome?Performance rating based on cost-effectiveness of project

outcome Result audits required

What happened to the product/technology that was developed?

Was it commercialized? If not, why?

Biotech Research


Promote industry-academy collaborationAllocate separate grant budgets for basic research and

product developmentProvide product development grants only to collaborative

projectsKeep industry contribution low, but make it mandatoryKerala Biotechnology Commission’s new scheme is a good

example The start-up challenge

Lack of access to expensive equipments, especially for infrequent use

Lack of expertise in specific areas

Biotech Research


Promote independent innovators and interdisciplinary teamsCreate industry incubators in research institutionsIncentivise incubation and product creation

Open up resources in research institutionsAudit use, availability and status of expensive

instrumentationCreate mandatory industry service cellsProvide access to expensive equipment at affordable

ratesCreate incentives to promote academic support given

to industry

Biotech Research


Proliferation and internetworking of start-ups create innovation spiralsExamples: Japanese auto industry, US/German electronics boom post-

WW2, Silicon Valley Cost of supporting startups is lower than the cost of

attracting huge capital Knowledge based startups create high-value

employment Start-ups lay foundations for entire industries

Why promote start-ups?


To start-up or not? The dilemma of a well-paid technologistReduce start-up barriers, provide support systems, advertise and promote the

start-up attitude Compensate for lack of ecosystem

Most inputs have to be imported or transported from other states, leading to increased costs.

Provide tax holidays to biotech startups – follow the IT example Facilitate easier financing

We need a working venture capital fund, preferably with government participationCreate a vehicle for easier loan disbursement for priority area startupsMake it easier for banks to provide loans – technical evaluation of most banks

cannot keep up with technological innovations Provide easy access to facilities and instrumentation

Technology parks, common equipment facilities, access to facilities in research institutions

What biotech start-ups need


[email protected]

ubio Biotechnology Systems Pvt LtdKinfra Hi-tech Park, Kalamassery, Cochin

biotechnology industry in kerala: a view from the trenches

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