Aurigene Pharma to set up facility with $40 million in Genome Valley Industries and IT Minister K. T. Rama Rao, senior officials with Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services CEO Akhil Ravi and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Chairman Satish Reddy in Hyderabad (Image Source: The Hindu) urigene Pharmaceutical Services, a contract research, development and manufacturing services organization has decided to establish a state-of-the-art development and A manufacturing facility focused on niche areas like therapeutic proteins, antibodies and viral vectors in Genome Valley. A step-down subsidiary of pharma major Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, it intends to invest $40 million, which will be generating around 200 direct jobs and 60-70 indirect employment opportunities over the next three years. The announcement from Industries and IT Minister K. T. Rama Rao’s office came after CEO Akhil Ravi and Dr. Reddy’s Chairman Satish Reddy met and briefed him about the company’s plan. Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce and Shakthi Nagappan, Chief Executive Officer, Telangana Life Sciences were also present during the meeting. Source: The Hindu CLUSTER CHRONICLE AUGUST 2023 Inaugural Edition | Pages 8 THE NEWS FROM GENOME VALLEY AND BEYOND Dear Readers, We are pleased to introduce ‘The Cluster Chronicle,' a publication dedicated to showcasing the latest news & updates from Genome Valley and the vibrant life sciences hub of Hyderabad. The ‘GV Connect’ team is delighted to unveil the inaugural edition that captures bytes of all the remarkable advances in life sciences from our very own cluster and beyond. This newspaper has been conceptualized to strengthen the scientific community and create a world-class ecosystem. We hope you enjoy the first edition and look forward to your active contribution in the successive editions. 1 A GV Connect Feature yderabad is fast emerging as the new destination for large biotech and life sciences companies from across the world with the Telangana capital taking a giant leap from a pharmaceutical and IT hub to new-age fields. More than 12 big companies based out of Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai and Ahmedabad are now eyeing Hyderabad to expand their footprint. Bengaluru-based Syngene International Ltd, which has already set up an R&D centre in Hyderabad a couple of years ago, is now planning to expand its activities and set up new facilities at Genome Valley soon. Syngene’s Hyderabad facility with an investment of Rs. 167 crore was the company’s first operational research centre outside Bengaluru. Since 2015, a year after Telangana state was born, investments in the life sciences sector alone are over Rs. 20,000 crore, a senior government official said. “Our company chose to invest and set up a life sciences facility in Hyderabad due to ‘pro-active’ government, best industrial policies, and infrastructure facilities. We considered three to four states before coming down to Hyderabad and zeroed in on the city’s Genome Valley,” said managing director of a pharma company, not wanting to be quoted. England-based Croda International, which has a unit in Mumbai, has announced setting up its new global technical centre in Hyderabad. Last year, JAMP Pharma of Canada, which has a preceding facility in Ahmedabad, set up its expansion unit in Hyderabad. Similarly, DFE Pharma of Netherlands and Germany, which opened its first centre in Bengaluru established its facility in Hyderabad. Eurofins Scientific, a French company with headquarters in Luxembourg, has chosen Hyderabad as its second destination after Bengaluru. Eurofins recently announced 1,000 crore investment in Telangana. Shakthi M Nagappan, director (life sciences & pharma) & CEO of Hyderabad Pharma City, government of Telangana, said Hyderabad has emerged as the most preferred destination for life sciences companies. According to industry and official sources, as many as 13 firms operating out of various cities in the country with headquarters in countries like the Netherlands, Canada, the UK, Japan and Switzerland set up their facilities in Hyderabad since 2018, pumping in investments to the tune of 5,000 crore. It’s destination Hyderabad for top biotech, life sciences firms Source: The Times of India On the occasion of the 76th Independence Day, we thank you for your sincere efforts in putting our country on the global map through your contribution in life sciences research and innovation. ‘Nation First, Always First!’ Happy 76th For any suggestions and feedback, please write to us at [email protected] Hyderabad boasts of an exceptional talent ecosystem that encompasses a diverse pool of skilled professionals in chemistry, biology, genetics, technology and beyond. “ “ Mr. Shakthi M. Nagappan Director (Life Sciences & Pharma) & CEO of Hyderabad Pharma City, Government of Telangana H Independence Day!
Genome Valley Croda announces Global Technical Centre in Genome Valley “This new technical centre represents our commitment to supporting pharmaceutical innovators and manufacturers in the region. We are committed to supporting drug development in Asia and collaborating with customers here to develop cuttingedge drug delivery technologies alongside them,” Daniele Piergentili, President-Life Sciences, said in a release. The centre will increase Croda’s capability to provide advanced and sustainable solutions to its pharmaceutical customers, he added. Croda recently broke ground for a new greenfield manufacturing plant at Dahej in Gujarat. Source: The Hindu Business line THE CLUSTER CHRONICLE AUGUST 2023 GV Research Platform Transforms Safety Assessment Practices in India with SenzaGen Partnership testing solutions. This strategic collaboration positions Genome Valley-based GVRP as the authorized distributor of SenzaGen's state-of-the-art GARD® Assay services in India, ushering in a new era of safety assessment practices in the region. SenzaGen is internationally recognized for its groundbreaking invitro tests that revolutionize the evaluation of substance allergenicity. The cutting-edge GARD® Assay suite, developed by SenzaGen, provides a comprehensive range of advanced testing solutions that accurately identify potential sensitizers, enabling companies to make informed decisions. Source: Business Wire India Left to Right - Daniele Piergentili, President - Life Sciences and Murali Duvvuri, Managing Director, Croda India. Image Source : BioSpectrum India 2 Croda International Plc has opened its new global technical centre at Genome Valley. The centre will help Croda in developing high performance pharmaceutical ingredients and technologies for life sciences. GV Research Platform (GVRP), a leading Contract Research Organization (CRO) in the biopharma industry, is proud to announce its partnership with SenzaGen, a renowned global provider of innovative Kowkur, near Yapral, Secunderabad. RERA NO.: P02200001314 Ready to Occupy www.modiproperties.com Call: Nagarjuna - 99499 93587, Vijay - 94904 39711 Actual images: Amenities: 9,400 sft clubhouse. ª Gym. ª Swimming pool. ª Children's park. ª Location: ª 2 min drive from Yapral - 1 km. ª 5 min drive from Bollarum Check Post - 2 kms. ª 119 flats on 2 acres of land. ª 2BHK flats - 1,220 sft. ª 3BHK flats - 1,715 & 1,945 sft. ª Gated community. Salient features: ª Close to Secunderabad Cant. ª No traffic signals upto Genome Valley. ª Just 30 mins drive. ª Peaceful & serene locality. Destination Kowkur G20 delegates visit Genome Valley group of delegates attending the third health working group meeting of G20 India here were impressed by Bharat Biotech’s Genome Valley plant during their Avisit to the facility in the first week of June and A separate group also visited the National Animal Resource Facility for Biomedical Research (NARFBR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) facilities. Source: Deccan Herald termed it a “shining star.” During the tour of the facility, delegates understood and observed how vaccines are made. Bharat Biotech produced the country’s first indigenous anti-Covid vaccine, Covaxin. ICMR NARFBR wins CPWD Award for Excellence Genome valley-based National Animal Resource Facility for Biomedical Research (NARFBR) under the aegis of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) was selected as one of the best completed projects of Central Public Works Department (CPWD), winning the fourth position in the category of best completed projects.
the GV Academy of Life Sciences (GVALS), a one-of-a-kind life science skilling academy is currently taking shape in Genome Valley. The primary objective of GVALS is to develop highly skilled professionals by providing he Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs of India (COWE), in collaboration with Unique Biotech, proudly inaugurated its 7th AVEKSHA COWE Day Care Centre in Phase I of Genome Valley. The realization of this project COWE Day Care Centre Inauguration T has been made possible through funding from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), with further support from the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC), various industrial associations, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of companies. During the inauguration, Mr. Jayesh Ranjan IAS, Principal Secretary – Industries, Telangana Government, and Mr. E V Narsimha Reddy IAS, Managing Director of TSIIC, jointly announced that all the upcoming industrial parks in Telangana will also feature AVEKSHA COWE Day Care Centres. Additionally, they disclosed plans to provide space for establishing another AVEKSHA day care centre in Genome Valley - Phase 3. Mr. Jayesh Ranjan encouraged industry leaders to actively participate by enrolling their children in the day care centre, which will enable mothers to work and achieve financial sustainability. Mr. Himanshu Asthana, General Manager, expressed admiration for COWE's dedication and passion. Dr. Ratna Sudha, Managing Director of Unique Biotech, emphasized the significance of establishing daycare centres in all industrial parks. The event was graced by Aarti Patil, Chairperson of AVEKSHA, who warmly welcomed all the guests. Mrs. Uma Ghurka, Founder-Director of COWE, highlighted the positive impact the crèche facility has had, enabling 38 mothers to secure employment in the past year and empowering women with earnings totaling 26.7 lacs. Ms. Lalitha, National President, elaborated on COWE's various activities, which revolve around providing entrepreneurship skills training and support to women from all walks of life, empowering them with financial sustainability and equal opportunities to participate in all fields. Madhu Tyagi, Director of COWE INDIA, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all stakeholders for their unwavering support and commitment to the cause. Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Principal Secretary (I&C), Govt. of Telangana, speaks during the inauguration of the 7th Aveksha Day Care Center at Genome valley. Image Source : COWE India Inauguration of the COWE's 7th Aveksha Day Care Centre at Genome Valley by Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Principal Secretary (I&C), Govt. of Telangana, Mr. E.V. Narasimha Reddy, IAS, MD & VC (TSIIC), Dr. Ratna Sudha, Founder & Owner - Unique Biotech, Mr. Himanshu Ashtha, GM (SIDBI), Ms. Uma Ghurka, Founder & Director - COWE, Ms. Lalitha, National President- COWE and Ms. Aarthi Patel, Chairperson, AVEKSHA. Genome Valley THE CLUSTER CHRONICLE AUGUST 2023 3 GV Academy of Life Sciences (GVALS) : Launching Soon in Genome Valley ndia's life sciences sector faces a crucial need for experience-based learning to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry demands. Pharmaceutical & biotechnology industries struggle to find skilled and industry-ready professionals among the large number of science graduates each year. To address this challenge, comprehensive training to both students and professionals, preparing them for the dynamic and innovative scientific landscape of tomorrow. The academy's core focus lies in industry-aligned, hands-on skilling programs, fostering a close collaboration with the life sciences industry to bridge current skill gaps. Through rigorous in-lab training and experiential projects, students gain real-time exposure, nurturing a profound comprehension of the sector. An extensive range of short-term advanced certification programs, featuring exclusive industry training for fresh graduates, mid-level, and senior-level professionals, will be available, ensuring continuous relevance in this rapidly evolving field. Moreover, GVALS' comprehensive placement support guarantees that graduates secure suitable roles within the industry. GVALS seeks to collaborate with organizations in the life sciences sector to tailor courses that cater to their specific skill-set requirements. If your company is keen on partnering with GVALS, please contact us at the following address: [email protected] If you are a student/professional interested in enrolling for a course and need more information, please visit: www.gvals.com I
explore Asia’s biggest state-of-the-art stent manufacturing facility, Sahajanand Medical Technologies (SMT) the manufacturer of eye wears for the famed Telangana’s Kanti Velugu initiative, Akriti Opthalmic, the cutting-edge COVID-19 RT-PCR testing kit manufacturer, Huwel Life Sciences and a virtual tour of cancer diagnostics products manufacturer, PathnSitu Biotechnologies. The industrial immersion was crucial in understanding manufacturing processes and the necessary compliances. The highlight of the series was the finale event with hospitals and start-ups coming together to forge learnings and collaborations. With this initiative, RICH reaffirms its commitment to driving the growth and transformation of the life sciences sector of Telangana. I Site visit to a manufacturing facility, where participants witnessed firsthand the intricate process of product development Image Source : Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH) concludes the First edition of ABCs of Medical Devices and In-vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) Commercialization Journey n July 2023, RICH conducted a month-long awareness and hands-on workshop series for students, aspiring entrepreneurs, researchers, start-ups, MSMES, SMES/Industry players on commercialization of medical devices and IVDs of category A, Over 60 attendees joined us at the launch event of the workshop Image Source : Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad About Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH) : Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH) is the nodal agency for the Hyderabad Science and Technology Cluster, an initiative spearheaded by the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. Established in 2017 by the Government of Telangana, the organisation focuses its work across three primary verticals: Food and Agriculture, Life Sciences, and Sustainability. Through its various initiatives, RICH aims to solve complex local and national challenges by fostering collaborative networks among diverse stakeholders in the research and innovation space and empower innovators to transform scientific research into impactful solutions that generate wealth, employment and create social good. B, C, and D. The series aided a deep understanding of various stages involved in scaling a proof-of-concept validated idea to a marketable product and was divided into 4 tracks on intellectual property, regulatory, industry immersion and clinical exposure, followed by a highlight event of Medical Devices and IVDs start-up showcase. The series brought experts from HealthTech and MedTech intellect patent space, AvidInvent, to highlight on ideation research, patent due diligence, and patent navigation in the pre-patent stage and beyond. Regulatory compliances are imperative and is a key stage in bringing MedTech product to market. Officials from Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India along with ICICI Knowledge Park’s (IKP) Global Regulatory Forum (IGRF) shared insights on the regulatory process to enter Indian market to the MedTech start-ups. The participants also got an opportunity to visit some of the leading industries in Telangana’s Medical Devices Park in Sultanpur to Events THE CLUSTER CHRONICLE AUGUST 2023 4 For more information, follow us on our LinkedIn platform @ GV Connect Looking to sell/buy used Lab Equipment? Contact us [email protected] Marketplace by GV Connect Launching Soon
Dr. Uday Saxena launched the Indira and Eshwar Foundation for Research (IEFR) on July 25 with an aim to encourage and empower women scientists. We had a conversation with him to understand more about the initiative. Dr. Saxena has a Ph.D. from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from Columbia University in New York, US. He worked at Parke-Davis/ Pfizer, Michigan and AtheroGenics Inc., and also served as the Chief Scientific Officer of Dr Reddy’s Laboratories in US and India. Dr. Saxena co-founded ReaGene Biosciences and ReaGene Innovations with an aim to revolutionize drug discovery. Ex-Pharma veteran launches IEFR Research Foundation to empower women scientists Can you please share some more details on the program? How do interested candidates apply? For the flagship program, a call for applications will IEFR is dedicated to Indira and Eshwar Raj Saxena, my parents who were Sociology and Chemistry scientists. They were my first inspiration for studying science. As July 25 also coincides with my father's birthday, it was only apt to formally launch the foundation on that day. IEFR is a great initiative and indeed a need of the hour. What was the motivation behind it? What is your vision with IEFR? The idea is to inspire women scientists to pursue a career in Therapeutics Translational Research and entrepreneurship. In my experience, women scientists could be game changers as entrepreneurs and CEOs due to their work ethic and organizational skills. Starting October, we are partnering with biotech companies to conduct a curated three-month hands-on program focused on wet lab training in vaccines, stem cells and CRISPR technologies. Beyond the lab modules, we will also invite experts to conduct workshops in soft skills such as networking, communication, and entrepreneurship. Each batch will be limited to five masters-level scientists selected through a competitive process and IEFR will fund the entire program for the selected candidates. Our mission is to forge well-rounded professionals that will be future leaders in the industry in India and across the globe. “ “ be posted soon on our LinkedIn platform. Please follow it for more information. Conversations THE CLUSTER CHRONICLE AUGUST 2023 5 Expert opinion: Reimagining the ecosystem for start-up success Prof. Pallu Reddanna is among the founder member of Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) and currently serves as an Executive President. He has been associated with UoH for 30+ years and was the founder director of National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, an autonomous institute of the DBT, GoI. Additionally, he was involved in setting up of TBI and BioNEST incubation centres. Prof. Pallu Reddanna has been instrumental in setting up several incubators to aide scientists in embarking upon an entrepreneurial journey. We chatted with him to get his viewpoint on the gaps to be addressed for success of start-ups. There are more life sciences start-ups incepted every year now than ever before which is an encouraging trend. Can you throw some light on some of the incubation support available for seed-stage companies? What’s your vision for FABA as an ecosystem enabler ? FABA plays a pivotal role in bringing stakeholders from industry and academia together to partner for mentorship, technology transfer and business validation. We conduct events like the Thanks to several Government-led initiatives, we have many programs initiated to nurture new ideas. For example, the Department of Science and Technology through NSTDEB established the Technology Business Incubation Centers (ICs & TBI) across the country. There are around 125 ICs under this program, one of which is in the University of Hyderabad (UoH). Besides, there are several BioNEST ICs pan-India which are funded by BIRAC (Department of Biotechnology, GoI) that are supporting about 2500 start-ups. There are also about 70 Atal Innovation Centres supporting about 2800 start-ups. All in all, I am proud to say that we have built a rich network of ICs in different disciplines and funding for early-stage start-ups. We need to create an ecosystem like Boston or the Bay Area wherein innovative start-ups are funded by VCs or big pharma or biotech companies “ “ What’s the biggest challenge in success of start-ups? There is enough support at the initial stage but to grow to the next level there are many hurdles. One of the biggest challenges is a mature venture financing ecosystem in India. We need to create an ecosystem that exists in Boston or the Bay Area in the US wherein innovative start-ups are either funded by the VCs or acquired/invested by big pharma or biotech companies to scale their ideas and grow. Another challenge is mentorship. Most of these start-ups are started by scientists or the students with their expertise in the technical side but in terms of the business development, marketing, financial, and the regulatory requirements, they need hand holding through mentorship. This needs to be taken care of by the incubation centres, which is lacking in most of the ICs. Hyderabad Life Sciences Innovation Cluster Meet organised recently at ICMR- NARFBR at Genome Valley that brought representatives from industry and academic institutes together to explore synergies for breakthroughs. Last year the FABA Entrepreneurship division organised Whale tank, a VC and Biotech start-up connect, where 60 promising start-ups across the country showcased their technologies. The FABA Academy division, on the other hand, focuses on skill development.
Brain Teasers THE CLUSTER CHRONICLE AUGUST 2023 6 Which of the following vaccine manufacturers is not present in Genome Valley? • Serum Institute of India • Bharat Biotech • Indian Immunologicals Limited • Biological E Limited I am a part of everything that lives. Combine me with oxygen and I’ll do the fizz. Mold me into a finger ring or use me to write. One of my many forms is called graphite. What am I? Word Search Know your neighbours ! Allele Ecosystem Photosynthesis Antigen Genotype Plankton Bacteria Homeostasis Respiration Biology Hormone Species Biome Metabolism Symbiosis Cell Mitosis Tissue Chitin Nucleus Vacuole Chlorophyll Osmosis Virus Chromosome Pathogen Xylem Cytoplasm Phagocytosis Zygote WhatsApp a picture of the solved puzzle to +91 91029 99233 to win cool prizes (First three entries only) Riddle Me! Win exciting prizes! Send in your response to +91 91029 99233 Follow GV Connect on LinkedIn Source: Sciencenotes.org
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he first-ever GV Cricket Festival was successfully held at English Willow Cricket Ground near Genome Valley in MayJune 2023, by GV Connect. The event brought together, scientists, entrepreneurs, employees, and technicians, from various companies within the cluster. GV Cricket Festival The event not only brought out the competitive spirit of the participants but also highlighted the camaraderie and team-building opportunities within Genome Valley ecosystem. As the life sciences industry continues to thrive in Hyderabad, initiatives like these serve as a testament to the vibrant and dynamic nature of the region's scientific community. Capturing the Spirit of the Game Inauguration Day T We were pleased to organize the first ever GV Cricket Festival and were thrilled by the positive response. It provided an excellent platform for professionals from various companies to come together, unwind, and form meaningful connections. We believe that such events play a crucial role in bolstering collaboration within the life sciences community. “ “ Mr. Soham Modi Managing Director - Modi Properties The aim of the festival was to foster better connections and encourage collaboration among the brilliant minds working in the life sciences sector. With the backdrop of thrilling cricket matches, professionals from different companies seized the opportunity to interact, network, and build fruitful relationships. The tournament witnessed enthusiastic participation from numerous companies within the Genome Valley cluster, each team displaying their cricketing prowess and team spirit. After an intense battle on the pitch, Daicel Chiral Technologies emerged as the champions, showcasing their sporting excellence. Meanwhile, the runners-up position was claimed by Aspiro, who displayed commendable skill and determination throughout the competition. Daicel Chiral Technologies (Winners) Aspiro Pharma Ltd. (Runners-up) The success of the GV Cricket Festival wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of the sponsors. Modi Properties and Rx Propellant stood tall as the proud sponsors of the event, contributing to its grandeur, and providing the necessary resources to make it a resounding success. With the inaugural edition's resounding success, the Genome Valley Cricket Festival is expected to become an eagerly anticipated annual event, fostering stronger ties and synergies among the professionals in the Genome Valley cluster. Participating companies: Daicel Chiral Technologies, Aspiro, Chemo, GeneSys Biologics, Biological E. Limited , JAMP Pharma Group, Syngene Pharma Group, Hylasco Biotechnology, GV Research Platform (GVRP), Syngene International Limited, Zenotech Laboratories Limited (Hyderabad), Curia, Vimta Labs Limited, Modi Properties, and Rx Propellant. Sports THE CLUSTER CHRONICLE AUGUST 2023 8