BioSpectrum India August 2019

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4 BIO CONTENT BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

COVER
DESIGN BY:
DOMINIX STRATEGIC
DESIGN PVT. LTD.

COVERSTORY 24.........................................................................................................................................................

EMPOWERING STARTUPS & SMES
BUILDING $100 BN BIOECONOMY

The government has undertaken several initiatives to boost the biotechnology industry in the country.
A key focus has been on the creation of Technology Parks which in the developed countries are
known to be successful vehicles for innovation and commercialization of technology and also an
inducer for R&D investment. As a result, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of
Science and Technology, has established Biotechnology Parks and Incubators across the country to
translate research into products and services by providing necessary infrastructure support.

COVER STORY UNION BUDGET 2019-20

32 18

41 Bio-incubators across India Emphasis on Startups
(supported by BIRAC) Excludes ‘Make in India’

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIO CONTENT 5

SPEAKING WITH TOPVIDEO
36
Pushpa
“Prices never go haywire in India Vijayaraghavan,
since varied competition always Director, Sathguru
ensures prices are kept in check” Management
Dr R.K. Sanghavi, Consultants points
out the trends
Chairman, Medical Committee, Indian Drug floating in the
Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA) Indian pharma
packaging industry
42
Scan the QR Code »
“If not addressed,
India will lag behind Dr Krishna Ella,
in innovations” CMD, Bharat
Dr S Jhaveri, Biotech shares
his views on the
Founder of Biomall.in, India constraints facing
the Indian vaccine
REGULARS industry

BioEdit ........................................................................06 Scan the QR Code »
BioMail .......................................................................08
Policy and Regulatory News.....................................10 Manoj Kumar,
Company News..........................................................12 Co-Founder & CEO,
Start-up News............................................................13 Social Alpha seeks
Finance News.............................................................14 innovative ideas
WHO News.................................................................15 for developing
World News................................................................16 assistive
Academic News.........................................................43 healthcare
Science News............................................................44 technologies for
People News..............................................................46 the disabled in
Supplier News............................................................48 India
BioEvent .....................................................................50

10 12

14 43

Scan the QR Code »

44 48

6 BIO EDIT BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Unleashing New Solutions

Mumbai & Bangalore based digital developing their own DTx developing arms.
therapeutics company Wellthy Over the years DTx companies would have a real

Therapeutics and pharma giant Roche, power as they will have a wealth of patient data in
very large numbers widely spread across. Their
who joined hands about eight months back, recently other strength will be that they would be able to
showcase the results of the digital therapies, tools
presented at the annual scientific session of the and services they provide to the patients. The latter
will be important from the point of view of enhancing
American Diabetes Association, the results of their or changing the treatment as per the needs of the
individual patients. It is also expected to be helpful
first study on digital diabetes management. The for payment for outcomes system which is likely to
dominate healthcare in the future.
study showcased improved diabetes care outcomes
One important reason being cited for the fast
among 833 South Asian patients, who followed spread and development of DTx is the high cost
of developing new drugs. According to the Tufts
a clinically validated digital therapeutic along Center for the Study of Drug Development the cost
of bringing a medicine from invention to the shelf is
with other medication and lifestyle changes. The a whopping $2.7 billion. Another article in JAMA
Internal Medicine puts it at $648 million. A third
patients used Wellthy Therapeutics’s integrated study estimates it as $2 billion. Figures vary but the
fact remains that the cost for introducing a new drug
personalised diabetes management (iPDM) solution, is very high and the returns are low & slow, which is
likely to affect the prospects of new drug development
which provided real time artificial intelligence paving way for DTx spread.

powered feedback, coaching and self-management With increasing healthcare spending combined
with declining R&D returns, DTx represents a new
programme. way of treatment for pharma companies, according
to Global Data Pharma analyst, Alessio Brunello.
Besides Wellthy Therapeutics, there are many He has assessed that value based care and patient
centricity will help drive the DTx. Insurers and payers
more that have either entered or are in the process of can use data and analytics to manage healthcare cost
and ensure appropriate treatment.
entering the field of Digital Therapeutics (DTx). The
However, one of the challenges the expert fear in
number of DTx tools and services offered by them for spreading the digital therapeutics is the likelihood
of non-payment of the treatment cost by health
different diseases are growing fast as they are in a insurance providers. But that is just a temporary one.

race to develop much more. As a result digital health Conventional pharma will not be able to afford
to ignore the change the DTx will bring since they
investment had reached $179 billion by the end of will lose access to a large size of data that will prove
helpful in their understanding and work and the
2016 itself and is projected to reach $536 billion by evidence of the drug effectiveness.

2025, according to the “Digital Therapeutics Report Milind Kokje
Chief Editor
2018-2025”. In the area of diabetes alone, the global
[email protected]
digital diabetes management market is accounted

for $4465 million in 2017 with an expected growth of

23.7 per cent CAGR from 2018 to 2023.

In a first ever e-health partnership in France, two

French companies in digital therapeutics have joined

hands last month. WeHealth digital medicine, which

is France’s major pharma Servier group’s e-health

division, and Lucine, a pioneering French innovative

company specialising in digital therapeutics have

announced their joint development partnership and

distribution license.

Experts are wary of the significant challenge

the DTx development may pose to conventional

pharma sector unless it adopts a new strategy since

it has the potential to enhance or occasionally even

replace traditional medicine. Realising the challenge

pharma companies have started joining hands with

companies specialising in digital therapeutics and/or

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8 BIO MAIL BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

www.biospectrumindia.com Vol 17; Issue 07; July 2019

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Premas Life Sciences would like to thank BioSpectrum for the ranking of BioSuppliers
in this issue. We are listed in the top ten and that’s a huge pride for our team. However,
we would like to update you that we have left representation of Hamilton in India now.
The company has also partnered with Fluidigm & 10x Genomics.

- Praveen Gupta, New Delhi

CORRIGENDUM Dear Readers,

Dear Readers, This is to bring to your kind
attention that our latest report
This is to bring to your kind attention that on the Top 20 Bio Suppliers
our latest report on the Top 20 Bio Suppliers – ranking, dated July 2019,
– ranking, dated July 2019, Volume 17 had Volume 17 has quoted Arvinder
some factually incorrect data. Thermo Fisher Dhingra as the current
Scientific’s annual turnover for the biosciences Managing Director of DSS
segment was assumed to be Rs 840 crore in the Imagetech Pvt Ltd. We were
print edition of July 2019, and the company has informed that he has retired and
expressed their displeasure that their ranking stepped down to make way for
was grossly undermined. We would like to clarify Ajay Kandhari as the new MD.
that the company did not share the revenue and We express our apology to DSS
the report was published based on our market Imagetech Pvt Ltd for this error.
survey reports. We express our apology to
Thermo Fisher Scientific for this error.

Vol 17; Issue 08; August 2019 MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications

Publisher & Managing Editor: South Region New Delhi INTERNATIONAL
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10 POLICY AND REGULATORY NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Health Ministry releases National Ministry of
Digital Health Blueprint report
AYUSH inks
Digital Health Eco-system that
agreement
supports Universal Health Coverage
with MeitY
in an efficient, accessible, inclusive,
Ministry of AYUSH
affordable, timely and safe manner, (AYUSH) and
Ministry of Electronics
through provision of a wide-range of and Information
Technology (MeitY)
data, information and infrastructure have signed a
Memorandum of
services, duly leveraging open, Understanding (MOU)
for collaborating
interoperable, standards-based with each other for
digitization of AYUSH
digital systems, and ensuring Sector. MeitY has
agreed to advise and
the security, confidentiality and give technical support
to AYUSH for planning
privacy of health-related personal and development of
AYUSH GRID Project.
Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister information. The need of the hour In pursuance to the
of Health and Family Welfare National Health Policy
has released the National Digital is to create an ecosystem which 2017 and e-governance
Health Blueprint (NDHB) report in initiative of Ministry
the public domain for inputs from can integrate the existing health of AYUSH aims to
various stakeholders. The vision digitize the entire
of NDHB is to create a National information systems and show a AYUSH leading to
transformation in field
clear path for upcoming programmes of health care delivery
at all levels, in addition
for ensuring interoperability of to greater research,
education, delivery
Electronic Health Record (EHR). of various healthcare
programmes
Cabinet approves Indo-US and better drug
co-operation for medicine regulations. According
to Secretary AYUSH
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given Vaidya Rajesh
Kotecha, this will
ex-post facto approval to the Inter-Institutional Agreement between India be beneficial for
all stakeholders of
and the USA in the areas of regenerative medicine and 3D bioprinting, new AYUSH including
citizens of the
technologies, exchange of scientific ideas/information and technologies, and country and in turn
will help to achieve
joint use of scientific infrastructure. Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical various national and
international goals in
Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Trivandrum, an Institute of National healthcare.

Importance under

the Department

of Science and

Technology (DST),

Government of

India, has entered

into an Agreement

on Academic

Cooperation with

the Wake Forest

University Health

Sciences on behalf

of its Institute

for Regenerative

Medicine (WFIRM), North Carolina, USA. The objective of the Agreement is

to contribute towards the development of research and education of both the

Institutions through academic collaboration. The general areas of common

interest where collaboration and exchange of knowledge are intended for

both include: Exchange of faculty members and students for training, study

and research especially in the areas on 3D Bioprinting; Execution of joint

research projects; and Exchange of information and academic publications.



12 COMPANY NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Takeda expands Sun Pharma launches
India portfolio of rosuvastatin for lipid
rare disease therapies disorder treatment

Takeda has announced the launch of its Enzyme Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has announced
Replacement Therapy portfolio for Lysosomal the U.S. launch of Ezallor Sprinkle (rosuvastatin)
Storage Disorders (LSD) in India in line with capsules for the treatment of three types of
its commitment to address the unmet needs of elevated lipid disorders in people who have
patients living with rare diseases in India. Under difficulty in swallowing, a problem that is
Lysosomal Storage Disorders – India has been estimated to affect approximately 30- 35 per cent
recording the prevalence of Hunter Syndrome, of long-term care residents. Ezallor Sprinkle is
Gaucher Disease and Fabry Disease. To address indicated as an adjunct to diet for the treatment
these, Takeda brings to the market Idursulfase of adult patients with hypertriglyceridemia, as an
for Hunter Syndrome, Velaglucerase Alpha for adjunct to diet for the treatment of adult patients
Gaucher Disease and Agalsidase Alfa for Fabry with primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (type III
Disease. These launches build on the company’s hyperlipoproteinemia), and as an adjunct to other
heritage and commitment to India and its strong lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) or
legacy of making live a better health and brighter as monotherapy if such treatments are unavailable,
future to patients with rare diseases. Agalsidase to reduce LDL-C, total cholesterol, and ApoB
Alfa brings almost 2 decades of global clinical in adult patients with homozygous familial
experience with majority of patients using it. hypercholesterolemia. Ezallor Sprinkle has not been
Data shows Agalsidase Alfa demonstrated 10- studied in Fredrickson type I and V dyslipidemias.
year benefit across cardiac function, structure Ezallor Sprinkle is formulated as extended-release-
and symptoms. It is in use in many countries, coated pellets that may be sprinkled over soft food
including Canada, Russia, the United Kingdom, such as applesauce, can be swallowed whole, or
Mexico, Israel, and many members of the administered via a nasogastric tube to facilitate
European Union. long-term, once-daily administration.

Glenmark & Torrent to co-market diabetic drug in India

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, for Remogliflozin Etabonate

and Torrent Pharmaceuticals after successfully completing

have announced that they have Phase-3 clinical trials in which

entered into a non-exclusive sub- Remogliflozin demonstrated good

licensing agreement to co-market efficacy and safety profile in a

sodium glucose co-transporter-2 head-to-head comparison against

(SGLT2) inhibitor, Remogliflozin Dapagliflozin. Subsequently,

Etabonate (Remogliflozin) in Glenmark launched Remogliflozin

India. Under the terms of the and supply Remogliflozin while indicated in the treatment of Type
Torrent will market the drug
agreement, Glenmark will receive under its own trademark ‘Zucator’ 2 Diabetes Mellitus in adults
in India. In April 2019, Glenmark
an upfront payment, license fees received approval from the Drugs under the brand names ‘Remo’
Controller General of India (DCGI)
and royalties for the non-exclusive and ‘Remozen’ while Torrent will

sub-license rights from Torrent. commercialize Remogliflozin

Glenmark will manufacture under the brand name ‘Zucator’.

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com START UP NEWS 13

mfine raises Rs 31Cr in venture debt from Alteria Capital

mfine, a health-tech AI startup Chennai and Kolkata. mfine also available on a digital channel.
that enables virtual medical recently raised $17.2 million in Specialist doctors from these
consultations has raised Rs 31 series B from SBI Investment, hospitals are assisted by mfine’s AI
crore in total, as venture debt from SBI Ven Capital, Stellaris Venture system, improving their efficiency
Alteria Capital, India’s largest Partners and Prime Venture & effectiveness dramatically.
venture debt fund. The investment Partners. mfine follows a unique
is a testament to mfine’s continued model of partnering with leading
growth in India. In June alone, and trusted hospitals instead of
over 25,000 transactions were aggregating individual doctors on
completed on mfine with the its platform. mfine has already
customer base growing 30 per built a network of 160 such
cent month over month. In the hospitals across 5 cities. Hospital
next six months, mfine will partnerships enable mfine to make
foray into Delhi NCR, Mumbai, high quality care of trusted doctors

DocOnline collaborates Anthill, HCG
with UP Govt to enhance select 6 startups for
healthcare delivery mentorship programme

Telemedicine startup DocOnline, based in Bengaluru, Anthill Ventures, an investment and Speed
Hyderabad and Pune, has recently collaborated with Scaling platform for early growth stage
the government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) to expand its startups, in partnership with HealthCare
services and to reach out to a larger number of people. Global Enterprises Limited (HCG), the largest
DocOnline won a project to run 10 PHC (Primary Health provider of cancer care in India, have shortlisted
Centres) with telemedicine platform in different places six start-ups for Lumos Health. Lumos Health
of UP to provide complete healthcare solution for the is a Market Access Program focused on scaling
semi-rural and rural people where providing health care technology start-ups in Healthcare and Life
is a challenge. The primary goal and objective of this Sciences, powered by Anthill Ventures & HCG.
project is to treat the patients through tele-consultancy; The programme is for 12 months and had
to empower the rural people to get treatment on line, launched its call-for-applications during late
to provide people with diagnostic tests; and to build last year. It is designed to help startups focused
confidence among people for getting on line treatment on emerging technologies in Healthcare and
from doctor. Incorporated in 2016, DocOnline makes Life Sciences, accelerate their business growth
healthcare services available to users from anywhere by providing them support and mentorship.
and at any time. It makes healthcare affordable Lumos Health will help the selected startups
and easily accessible through online consultations to raise investments, provide assistance
with certified experienced General Practitioners via with mentoring and regulatory approvals,
telephone, video and chat facilities. Currently, the increase their customer base and generate
startup has around 150,000 users on-board through its more revenues. A cohort of six start-ups that
subscription and consultation based models. brings in exciting solutions for healthcare
and life sciences has been selected out of over
120 applications received from across the
world. The six chosen start-ups distributed
in India, US and Singapore are Alixir (cancer
detection), AyuRythm (pulse diagnosis through
Ayurveda); BiMedis (medical equipment
trading platform), C-Test Medicals (oral cancer
detection), Kronikare (wound care), Raybaby
(sleep and breathing monitor for babies).

14 FINANCE NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

IIL invests Rs 75 Cr for expanding Karkapatla plant

Indian Immunologicals Ltd vaccines such as the Anti Rabies Telangana – Human Vaccines
(IIL), a leading biologicals Vaccine (ARV) – Abhayrab. & Animal Health Formulations;
company, has announced the The new state-of-the-art facility Ooty, Tamil Nadu – Anti Rabies
ground-breaking of a new Sterile expected to be ready later production unit; Hyderabad,
Filling Facility (SFF) at its next year. The sterile facility Telangana – Human Biologicals
manufacturing plant in Phase III is equipped with hi-end filling Unit (Gachibowli) and animal
of Genome Valley, Karkapatla, equipment from the world’s best vaccines unit; Dargaville, New
Ranga Reddy District, Telangana. manufacturers, in line with the Zealand - New Bovine Serum.
With an investment of Rs 75 requirements of the nature of IIL exports various Human
crore in the upcoming filling work handled at the plant. IIL and animal vaccines to over 50
facility, IIL expects to increase has 4 manufacturing facilities at countries and currently employs
its capacity to supply lifesaving various locations – Karkapatla, around 1,300 people.

Transasia invests Andhra receives
Rs 50 Cr to expand $328M to improve
Sikkim facility health services

Transasia Bio-Medicals, India’s leading in- The government of Andhra Pradesh and the World
vitro diagnostics company has announced a Bank Executive have signed a loan agreement
Rs 50 crore investment in the expansion of its of $ 328 million to help improve the quality and
manufacturing facility in Sikkim. The largest of responsiveness of public health services in Andhra
its India manufacturing plants, Sikkim is the Pradesh. The World Bank loan will support the
fourth one after Mumbai, Daman and Baddi. Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) as it scales
Also, the first-ever diagnostics manufacturing up its efforts to bring better health care to all its
facility in the Northeast, the expanded facility citizens, especially pregnant women and those at risk
will significantly enhance Transasia’s capacity to of non-communicable diseases, like hypertension,
cater to the growing Indian and overseas market diabetes and cervical cancer. The project will
demands. Spread over 2 acres, the state of the art facilitate engagement of private service providers
facility can produce 6000+ instruments monthly for improved quality of care of public health
including the complete range of semi-automated facilities, improve the existing pharmaceutical stock
analyzers. Limited access to quality medical management system and encourage empanelment
infrastructure, including skilled manpower of private pharmacies to dispense state-financed
and technologies have been the pain points of medicines to improve their access to the population.
over 70 per cent of Indians who live in smaller It will also support the rollout of a system for
towns and rural areas. Transasia addresses this measuring and reporting on patient experience.
through its competitive pricing, which makes
diagnostics affordable besides having a sales &
service network present nationwide.

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com ADVERTORIAL 15

Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre:

AN ECOSYSTEM FOR INNOVATION

Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, one of the outstanding State of the art
facility of its kind plays a crucial role in nurturing bio entrepreneurship and
innovation in India. Started in year 2016 by Karnataka Biotechnology and
Information Technology Services (KBITS), Dept of IT, BT and S&T, Government
of Karnataka with a liberal support from Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
Government of India, it has become a biggest biotech start up hub in the country.

Alongside the academic institutions such as the Institute of Bioinformatics and
Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), the Centre for Human Genetics (CHG) and a space
dedicated to large biotech companies, Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre is uniquely
positioned to act as a catalysing factor for innovative start-ups working in various
fields of life sciences such as Healthcare (Pharma/MedTech, Bio-Pharm), Agriculture,
Food and Nutrition, Industrial Biotechnology and Environmental Biotechnology.

The centre has world class infrastructure facility and central instrument
facility in its 10 acre campus which is used by companies, start-ups and academic
institutes from across India. Apart from it, the centre is an implementation
partner of Idea2PoC/ELEVATE 100 programme of Department of IT, BT and
S&T, Government of Karnataka and selected accelerator for Med Tech facility
under BioNest Programme of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council
(BIRAC), under the aegis of Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
The centre is also supporting start-ups with seed fund grant received from BIRAC.

The centre has started Intellectual Property Cell to help start-ups in creating
the right kind of framework, file the right IPs and commercialization of IPs and
patents. It has also started consultancy services for Environment, Health and
Services and Agri, Food and Nutrition to help and promote entrepreneurship in this
promising areas. Apart from conducting specialised scientific training programmes,
BBC holds workshops and training programmes in IPRs, business development,
regulatory framework, companies act, bio-diversity law and takes incubatees to
international conference.

BBC currently has 37 resident companies and seven companies have already
successfully graduated. With its spiral growth, BBC’s start-ups have already been
recognised internationally with many awards and grants, attracting investors.
Ten of its incubatees Next Big Innovation Lab, Indoor Biotech, VNIR, Terra Blue,
Aindra, Aprus, Pandorum, Yostra, Atrimed and String Bio have already developed
proof of concept and prototypes. Inspired with the positive growth, BBC is creating
more space for start-ups. It is also ramping up the lab facilities to help start-ups
manufacture at pilot scale as a further step towards elevating their technology
readiness level and commercialization strategy.

16 WORLD NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Nepal Health Ministry WHO declares Sri
launches new policy Lanka measles free

The Ministry of Health and Population in Nepal has Sri Lanka has defied the global trend in the
launched the Health Policy 2019 aiming to create battle against measles, with the country
opportunities so that the general public would be declared free of the highly infectious disease
able to enjoy the basic rights to health enshrined by by the World Health Organization (WHO).
the constitution. The vision of the new health policy The country reported its last homegrown
is development, expansion and improvement of all case of the virus in May 2016. Sporadic cases
types of health systems, improvement of the quality reported in the last three years were imported
of services provided by health institutions at all from abroad but were quickly detected,
levels, guarantee the easy access and strengthened investigated and received a rapid response.
social health security policy by incorporating the WHO has attributed Sri Lanka’s success to
utterly marginalized classes as per the federal set- its efforts to ensure maximum coverage with
up. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health two doses of measles and rubella vaccines
and Population, Upendra Yadav launched the Health being provided in the country’s childhood
Policy at a programme in Kathmandu. The policy immunization programme. The highly
contains six objectives, 25 policies and 146 strategies. contagious viral disease has made a comeback
across the globe in high-income countries in
the Americas and Europe, as well as in some
low- and middle-income countries in Asia
and Africa fueled in part by fear of and lack of
access to vaccines, and complacency.

Gilead Sciences partners with leading companies in Pakistan

US based Gilead Sciences, Oxychem Limited, InspecTest and linkage-to-care for viral
Inc. has announced that it (Pvt.) Limited, Jazz, Nestlé hepatitis. It is also committed to
has partnered with 12 leading Pakistan, Packages Limited, ensuring a discrimination-free
companies in Pakistan as part of Pepsico Pakistan, Sapphire and work environment for those with
the Corporate Coalition for Viral Service Sales Corporation. It aims the disease. This initiative is in line
Hepatitis Elimination in Pakistan to improve awareness, screening, with Pakistan’s commitment to
(CCVHEP) programme to support the UN Sustainable Development
the Government of Pakistan’s Goals and the World Health
effort to eliminate viral hepatitis Assembly’s declaration to
in Pakistan by 2030. The coalition eliminate viral hepatitis as a public
is led by a partnership between threat by 2030. It is the country’s
Gilead Sciences and Pakistan first such coalition of companies
partner, Ferozsons Laboratories that will focus on both, preventing
Limited with founding members new infections and treating
including Abbott Pakistan, Atlas existing patients to prevent liver
Honda, Citibank Pakistan, Descon cirrhosis and cancer.

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com WORLD NEWS 17

FIND signs $14.5M grant with Boehringer
Unitaid for rapid TB diagnosis Ingelheim acquires
AMAL Therapeutics
The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) has for €325M
announced that a new $14.5 million grant has been signed with
Unitaid to evaluate the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) German pharma player
for diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in low- and Boehringer Ingelheim has
middle-income countries (LMICs). The project – dubbed Seq&Treat announced its acquisition of all
(bringing next-generation TB care to underserved communities) shares of AMAL Therapeutics
– will start in October 2019. With implementation across Brazil, SA, a private Swiss biotechnology
China, Georgia, India and South Africa over a period of 3 years, company focused on cancer
it will enable the introduction and global adoption of commercial, immunotherapy and advancing
targeted NGS solutions for affordable, scalable and rapid TB drug first-in-class therapeutic cancer
susceptibility testing (DST). vaccines derived from its
technology platform KISIMA.
AMAL’s lead vaccine ATP128 is
currently developed for stage IV
colorectal cancer and is slated to
begin first-in-human trials later
this month. Boehringer Ingelheim
plans to develop new therapies
by combining assets from its
cancer immunology portfolio
with AMAL’s proprietary KISIMA
immunization platform.

18 UNION BUDGET 2019-20 BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

EMPHASIS ON STARTUPS
XCLUDES ‘MAKE IN INDIA’
The Budget has substantial incentive
for startups and small to medium mechanism for establishing identity of the investor
businesses; and the move to expand the and source of funds; Special administrative
25% tax rate to companies with revenue arrangements for pending assessments and grievance
upto Rs 400 crore. The measures to redressal; No inquiry in such cases by the Assessing
support the startup landscape could help Officer without obtaining approval of the supervisory
strengthen the funding ecosystem in the officer; No scrutiny of valuation of shares issued
country. With the exception of incentives to Category-II Alternative Investment Funds and
to multinational companies for creation Relaxation of conditions for carry forward and set off
of mega manufacturing parks, there is of losses.
no meaningful reform to foster scaling of
Indian manufacturing footprint, especially Besides covering many sectors, the minister
in sectors that are still heavily import has indicated 5 roadmap points for future namely
dependent such as medical devices. Simplification of procedures; Incentivizing
Additionally, given the crossroads performance; Red-tape reduction; Making the
the pharma and biotech industry is best use of technology and Accelerating mega
at today, it is also critical that there is programmes and services initiated and delivered so
encouragement for multifold increase in far.
level for research engagement. There
are no tangible provisions in the budget While welcoming the Union Budget for the year
that will help substantially elevate 2019-20, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for
competitiveness of the industry. Health and Family Welfare said that the budget for
the Health Ministry shows an appreciable increase
Presenting her maiden Union Budget 2019-20, of more than 18.67 per cent increase in the total
the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate outlay. “This reflects the
Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman before the importance accorded
Parliament on July 5 announced 10-point Vision for to the health sector
the decade with many relief measures for startups. in the country,” he
One of the vision point is achieving a healthy society added.
via Ayushman Bharat, well-nourished women &
children, safety of citizens. “There is an
additional Rs 9859.12
In her budget presentation the minister crore allocated in
announced many measures for startups such as Budgeted Estimates
Capital gains exemptions from sale of residential (BE) 2019-20 against
house for investment in start-ups extended till BE 2018-19. The BE
FY21; ‘Angel tax’ issue resolved- start-ups and 2018-19 was Rs 52800
investors filing requisite declarations and providing crore, whereas that of
information in their returns not to be subjected to the current FY is
any kind of scrutiny in respect of valuations of share
premiums; Funds raised by start-ups to not require
scrutiny from Income Tax Department; E-verification

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com UNION BUDGET 2019-20 19

Rs 62659.12 crore,” he said. The flagship programme, government.”
Ayushmman Bharat has seen an increase of 154.87 Although the healthcare sector has not been
per cent (Rs 4956 crore) which covers the two
pillars of Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) and discussed much during the Budget, Col Hemraj
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) or Singh Parmar, Group CEO, BR Life Hospitals
National Health Protection Scheme. There has been said “Sanitation, hygiene, potable water have been
an increase of 92.44 per cent (Rs 402.06 crore) over given importance in order to create a cleaner and
previous year in the ASHA Benefit package, whereas healthier society. Preventive healthcare is a major
an additional Rs 450.01 (8.57 per cent increase) issue that is mostly ignored by people, who end
has been allocated for immunisation, women and up visiting clinicians only when diagnosed with a
children. medical disorder. Therefore, in order to make people
consider investing on their health and personal
Though the health minister applauded the budget, welfare, the government has increased the tax
but it received mixed reaction from the healthcare deduction of medical insurance from Rs 15,000 to Rs
industry and the pharma and biotech industry is 25,000.”
saddened with no reference of the industry in the
budget. Welcoming the budget, Arindam Haldar, CEO,
SRL Diagnostics said “the government has shown
On a Positive note its commitment to the healthy well-being of more
than 130 crore citizens of the nations. The impetus on
Hailing the budget, Dr Prasanna Deshpande, increasing foreign direct investments (FDIs) offers
hope for renewed interests by investors which will
Deputy Managing Director, Indian help to drive growth for both the public and private
healthcare institutions.”
Immunologicals said “This budget included
Incentives for electric vehicles in terms of subsidy
many development reforms for the Indian economy on loans as well as lowering of GST from 12 per cent
to 5 per cent on electric vehicles, will help reduce air
including developing skills resulting into creation pollution over a period of time. “This will help control
heart diseases, respiratory illness, and cancers”
of employment. Though there were no new said Dr Rajeev Boudhankar, CEO, Bhatia
Hospital.
announcements in this budget specific to healthcare
Giving thumbs up to the budget, Vivek Tiwari,
and biotech/life sciences, however in the interim Founder and CEO, Medikabazaar said “With
the Modi 2.0 government planning to set up more
budget earlier this year, already an allocation of Rs than 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centres (HWC) by
2022 under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and plans
61,398 crore was announced for the health sector for to provide healthcare cover of Rs 5 lakh to around
10.74 crore families across the country, this year
the 2019-20 fiscal which was a 16 per cent increase promises to be a healthy growth for the sector.

in the last year’s allocation. This showcases that Upbeat about the budget, entrepreneur
and founder of Agatsa, Neha Rastogi said
healthcare has a strong focus from the government.” “The government has also taken some great steps
towards promoting women-led initiatives. Another
Sharing his views, Dr Prathap C. Reddy, encouraging move has been the provision of offering
up to Rs 1 crore of fresh or incremental loans within
Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said an hour through the online portal. Overall, the budget
is quite encouraging for innovators and technology-
“Reminding citizens of their duty to India, the budget oriented start-ups.”

presented a long term vision to achieve a $5 trillion Echoing positive views as a woman entrepreneur,
Savitha Kuttan, Founder & CEO, Omnicuris
economy by 2024.” said “I welcome the Modi 2.0 government’s budget
with open arms as a lot of focus was laid on the
Dr Deepak Balani, Chief of Medical achievements of women in various fields. I am elated
how the government has celebrated the efforts made
Services at Sakra World Hospital observed by the women in their day-to-day life and gave them
their due credit of being the main propellant for the
that this budget does not seem to have addressed welfare of the world. Even the announcement of a Rs

the healthcare sector directly. Opening up of

the insurance sector to Foreign Direct

Investment (FDI) may benefit

healthcare. The fine print may

have something

though. Else,

status quo it is!

Rahul

Paith, Chief

Operating Officer,

DocOnline pointed out “I

personally laud the move for an

additional fund allocation at 2

per cent interest for loans

taken by MSMEs and this

is a great move by the

20 UNION BUDGET 2019-20 BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

1,00,000 loan for women under the Mudra scheme healthcare coverage to the Indian citizens through
will boost more women entrepreneurs to come Ayushman Bharat. Consolidation of grants into the
forward and spread their wings.” National Research Foundation will hopefully enhance
medical research. The medical device industry will
The President of Heart Care Foundation stand to gain on account of the reduced customs tariff
of India (HCFI), Dr K K Aggarwal, said ‘It is and increase in the turnover threshold to Rs 400
heartening to see the increased focus on Swachh crore for the corporate tax rate of 25 per cent.”
Bharat, water, hygiene, and sanitation. These will
go a long way in reducing preventable water and Welcoming the budget, Swetabh Pathak,
food-borne diseases in the country. As the president Co-Founder, Elucidata said “The 2019 budget
of a healthcare NGO, I welcome the government’s celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship in India,
move to set up an electronic fundraising programme with a number of provisions for startups and MSMEs.
for social enterprises and voluntary organisations. Whether it’s organizing a Global Investors’ Meet
This will go a long way in helping us build capital and to boost entrepreneurship or resolving taxation
extend life-saving programmes to a larger section of issues, there are significant incentives for new-age
the population.” companies. We are confident of its long-term impact
and predict a rise in innovation and creativity,
Pavan Choudary, Chairman and Director boosting entrepreneurship further and putting India
General, MTaI (Medical Technology at par with global counterparts.”
Association of India) said “The increase in the
turnover limit to Rs 400 crore under the 25 per cent Swadeep Srivastava, Founder & Chief
tax slab is in line with the government’s commitment Belief Officer, India Virtual Hospital said
in the Union budget 2015 to make Indian companies “The budget may not be the expected one for the
more competitive on the global business platform. healthcare segment but it is a fairly decent one. The
This will also lead to increase in compliance and also overall health allocation has gone up from Rs 63,538
attract more investment to India.” crore in the interim budget to Rs 64,999 crore in
2019-20. A raise of Rs 1750 crore may not look very
Congratulating the government for presenting promising on papers but when we see it in context to
a forward looking and dynamic budget that takes previous years’ budget allocation of Rs. 54,668 crore,
into account the financial needs of the nation, it is a year on year increase of Rs 10,000 crore. With
Anuj Gulati, MD & CEO, Religare Health an increasing number of claims and popularity of
Insurance (RHI) said “The increased tax benefits Ayushman Bharat, a scheme-specific announcement
offered on health insurance premiums to all segments would have been ideal.”
of the population, including senior citizens, will urge
people to avail the advantages of having a health Disappointment Side
insurance equipping them with a secure future. Tax
benefit proposals will significantly benefit the middle “Overall, the budget, in my view, is a good wellness
class comprising of self-employed, small businesses, prescription for the overall economy but lacks
traders, salaried class, pensioners and senior specialist’s clinical interventions in specific parts
citizens.” where the economy’s health is relatively poor
and needs an injection of support,” said Pushpa
Union Budget 2019 appears to be comprehensive, Vijayaraghavan, Director and Practice
wide-ranging and balanced with many positives for Lead, Healthcare and Lifesciences, Sathguru
the economy. However, Dr H Sudarshan Ballal, Management Consultants and added that given
President, NATHEALTH said “Going forward the the crossroads the pharma and biotech industry is at
government needs to revisit unfinished agenda such today, it is also critical that there is encouragement
as ‘Priority Sector’ status to Healthcare for smooth for multifold increase in level for research
credit flow, mandatory universal health insurance, engagement. There are no tangible provisions
tax incentives for capacity building, creation of a in the budget that will help substantially elevate
dedicated infrastructure and innovation fund.” competitiveness of the industry.

Amol Naikawadi, Joint Managing “While there was hope that the allocation for
Director, Indus Health Plus observed that health sector in view of the requirement for funding
the announcement to boost Artificial Intelligence the Ayushman Bharath, this has not been allocated
will strengthen the usage of technology in the field and there has been no significant announcements
of healthcare and it will intensify the quality in pertaining to healthcare in union budget,” said Dr
healthcare with accessibility and affordability. Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman of
Aster DM Healthcare
Amit Kumar Bajaj, Partner, Grant
Thornton India LLP said “The Budget has Expressing disappointment, the Chairman, Dr
addressed expectations in the area of enhancing

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com UNION BUDGET 2019-20 21

Reddy’s Laboratories Satish Reddy, said “The Khandheria, said “Commitment in providing
expectations from the Union Budget 2019 were that primary healthcare has not been met which is slightly
of a bold reformist budget, however, it turned out to disappointing. But the government has pledged to
be an incremental budget at best. There was nothing establish a National Research Foundation to boost
to fuel growth in the healthcare and pharma sectors, research in all areas. We hope the government will
which is disappointing. I was particularly keen on allocate significant resources through this body
seeing a change in the weighted deduction for R&D towards boosting the field of medical research in
which did not happen. A positive policy move of this India.”
kind would have spurred R&D and innovation in
pharma and other sectors.” Meena Ganesh, MD & CEO, Portea Medical
said “Healthcare and increasing spending in this
Sharing a negative opinion, Dr GSK Velu, sector are two crucial areas that were completely
Chairman, and MD, Trivitron Healthcare left unaddressed although they are the need of the
said “While the budget is forward looking on hour. It is a known fact that healthcare spending
many issues, overall healthcare industry expected in India is currently a dismal 2.2 per cent. Despite
more from the new government. Except one Ayushman Bharat figuring in the government’s ten-
specific announcement on Dialysers raw material point agenda, it was disheartening to see the lack of
and component imports to eliminate anomalies any solid policies in the healthcare sector. We hoped
with finished goods imports, there is no specific to see some action points on areas such as home
announcements to reduce over 80 per cent import care, affordable and accessible care, as well as other
dependency on Medical Devices.” aspects pertaining to the sector.

“We are shell shocked to see that no action has Suresh Vazirani, CMD, Transasia Bio-
been taken by the Government to stem the tsunami Medicals Ltd said “While the overall approach and
of imports of 24 per cent at Rs 38,800 crore that’s budget allocation to address healthcare by the current
crushing Indian manufacturing. It is appalling to government has been positive, unfortunately there is
notice that since last three years, it is the first budget nothing much to boost Make in India.”
with zero mention on healthcare not even higher
allocation for Ayushman Bharat,” Rajiv Nath, The Modi Government 2.0’s first Union Budget
Founder and Forum Coordinator, AIMED touched upon many facets of infrastructure
(Association of Indian Medical Device). growth and sustainable development of industries
in rural as well as urban India. It talked about
The Chairman of Medica Group of all-round development of waterways, roadways,
Hospitals, Dr Alok Roy said “The industry airways, metro corridors, railways as well as space
was intently looking forward for further programmes. However, one crucial aspect that was
announcements regarding Ayushman Bharat taking missing from the overall budget was increasing
the right partnership approach to a more inclusive spending in the healthcare sector. “We hope that
participation. Some relief on imported medical an added focus is laid during the next five years
equipment could have been provided which would on preventive and curative healthcare for only if a
have benefitted the sector.” country is healthy is it truly prospering,” observed
Saurabh Agarwal, Chief Financial Officer
The CFO, Ziqitza Heathcare, Manish (CFO), Medlife.com.
Sacheti pointed out that the budget has not given
any due recognition to the emergency medical
services (EMS) industry and recognise it as an
independent sector within the healthcare industry.

While announcing large scale projects for electric
cars, Swati Deshpande, Director (Operations),
Datar Cancer Genetics noted that the government
has completely ignored the bio-medical sector which
has the potential to be a global research hub for
fields like genetic research, bio-informatics and AI in
healthcare.

From a Healthcare perspective, Satish
Kottakota, CFO, CallHealth said “There will
continue to be greater demand for tax incentives,
introduction of PPP models etc. to further support
the mission of Ayushman Bharat.”

The Founder of Gramin Healthcare, Ajoy

22 BUSINESS INSIGHT BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Micronclean in
expansion mode in India

Micronclean is currently constructing an from all sectors but the largest growth will from
ISO Class 5/ Grade B GMP Cleanroom the Micronclean businesses in India. To drive this,
Laundry in Bangalore. This involves the company is currently investing £5m in building
transfer of knowledge and technology an ISO 14644 Class 5, GMP Grade B cleanroom
gained by Micronclean UK over the past laundry in Bangalore, India which will be our
40 years of serving leading pharma flagship international operation.
customers – GSK, Astra Zeneca,
Wockhardt, DRL, Mylan. How many facilities do you have in India and
how much has been invested in those?
What services does Micronclean provide to the We are incredibly proud of our cleanroom
pharma and healthcare industry? consumables range which we have sold to over
As a specialist cleanroom supplier, Micronclean 30 countries around the world in the last 5 years.
provides cleanroom laundry services alongside But to sell them into the Indian market, we
cleanroom consumables to companies in the realised that we needed local market knowledge,
pharma, healthcare, microelectronics, aerospace infrastructure to hold stock in India and a
and semiconductor industries. Headquartered in trained sales force giving us the ability build
Skegness, the company operates two cleanroom credibility and sales quickly. Forming the joint
laundries (ISO Class 4 and 6), two manufacturing
cleanrooms (ISO Class 6) in the UK. The company venture with Span Divergent to
prides itself on cost-effectively delivering create Biospan Contamination
cleanroom consumables from the Control Solutions gave us the
Skegness warehouse, with over £2m of platform and infrastructure to
stock. start selling our consumables
into the Indian market quickly.
Our current developments in India Currently through Biospan,
seeks to replicate our successful we are supplying cleanroom
UK business model in that we can consumables into some of
offer either laundered cleanroom the top Pharma & Biotech
garments and cleanroom companies such as Biocon,
consumables either singularly DRL, Intas, Baxter and
or together as requested by the Mylan to name a few.
customer In terms of the
cleanroom laundry build,
How much revenue is we have acquired a three-
generated from the India acre site at Vemagal to the
business in these two sectors? North East of Bangalore.
It is very difficult to give an exact The build is ongoing with key
answer to this as we are currently operational items and pieces
constructing the cleanroom of plant being installed as we
laundry in Bangalore and building speak with the expectation that
our consumables customer base. the plant will be operational
However, Micronclean currently in Q4 2019. Phase one
has a £33m turnover business, and of the build will be for two
our aspiration is to reach £100m cleanrooms with a total
by 2027. Growth will be coming capacity of 80,000 garments
per week. Phase II will double
this capacity.
The £5m laundry will

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com BUSINESS INSIGHT 23

be an ISO 14644 Class 5, GMP Grade B facility. their processes. ADVERTORIAL
We will be using in-house autoclaves to achieve However, as a
terminal sterilisation of the garments with data
from the autoclave cycles being captured in to our company, we don’t
“PROTRACK” software alongside other process see much point in
data. This will ensure that we capture all the batch entering
parametric release data from the different stages a new
of the process against individual garments. As market if
a result, we can then provide our future Indian we provide
pharmaceutical customers with the data that the same
they need to demonstrate regulatory compliance. products and
In addition, the facility will also have its own services as our
microbiological laboratory for routine sampling for competitors. We
GMP purposes. look for markets
where we can
The laundry will not only serve the local vicinity bring genuinely
of Bangalore but also the pharmaceutical clusters differentiated
in Pune, Hyderabad, Goa, and Visakhapatnam by products or services.
overnight trunking. Beyond this limit we would need This can come from
to build a second facility. several sources. It
can be by developing
What is the company’s hold in the Indian new technology,
pharma and healthcare sector? or sometimes it can
Micronclean has an established reputation for be by leveraging our
quality and service within the UK cleanroom laundry existing capabilities
market which has given us over 60% market share into new markets. A
which sits alongside a 20% market share for UK good example of
cleanroom consumables this is the build
of our cleanroom
In addition, all our current UK customers laundry in
in partnership with ourselves have long-term Bangalore where
experience of delivering US FDA/UK MHRA we are confident
compliant manufacturing processes. As a that the service
result, all our internal systems and
processes which we are bringing we offer will generate
to India are already geared to business benefit in
delivering a service that will help helping our customers deliver FDA/MHRA
you be FDA/MHRA compliant. compliance.
In effect, we will allow you to
concentrate on your core activity What do you think is unique about
of pharmaceutical manufacturing, Micronclean?
while we will concentrate on our core It has been the company’s philosophy since
activity which is cleanroom laundry and
consumables. the 1980s to specialise and to be the market’s
technological leader. This remains our core
What are the major challenges philosophy today. We do not chase price down
facing your sector with respect
to the pharma and healthcare in unprofitable markets but instead invest in
industry? people, technology and infrastructure that
As a new entrant into an differentiates our market offering. We try
expanding market place, the key to embrace change letting old products and
challenge is to make ourselves services go as they get to the end of their
known and introduce potential
customers to our range of product lifecycle and developing new ones to
products and services. Only then take us into the future.
can we demonstrate how these can
deliver quality and efficiency to The business values and passion to
develop are instilled in SKIEs, embracing
Stewardship, Knowledge, Innovation and
Excellence which drive the way we want to
do business.

24 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

EMPOWERING

STARTUPS & SMES

BUILDING $100 BN
BIOECONOMY

The government has undertaken several are known to be successful vehicles for innovation
initiatives to boost the biotechnology and commercialization of technology and also
industry in the country. A key focus has an inducer for R&D investment. As a result, the
been on the creation of Technology Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the
Parks which in the developed countries Ministry of Science and Technology, has established
are known to be successful vehicles for Biotechnology Parks and Incubators across the
innovation and commercialization of country to translate research into products and
technology and also an inducer for R&D services by providing necessary infrastructure
investment. As a result, the Department support. These Biotechnology Parks offer facilities to
of Biotechnology (DBT), under the scientists, and Small and Medium sized Enterprises
Ministry of Science and Technology, has (SMEs) for technology incubation, technology
established Biotechnology Parks and demonstration and pilot plant studies for accelerated
Incubators across the country to translate commercial development of biotechnology.
research into products and services
by providing necessary infrastructure The government so far has supported nine
support. Biotechnology Parks in various states with the
bulk being in the southern region. The presence

Biotechnology is one of fastest growing sectors
in India and is the 12th largest biotech market
in the world. It holds 2 per cent share of the
global market and also ranks third in Asia-pacific
region after Japan and China. Key drivers for
growth of the Indian biotech industry are increasing
investments, outsourcing activities, exports, and
increased focus by the government on developing
and promoting the sectoral growth. Availability of
large talent pool along with low cost manufacturing
capability adds to the attractiveness of India as a
potential biotechnology market.

The government has undertaken several
initiatives to boost the biotechnology industry in
the country. A key focus has been on the creation of
Technology Parks which in the developed countries

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVER STORY 25

of five biotech parks in southern states highlights Key highlights of
the availability of skilled workforce, infrastructure, incubation centres in 2018-19
logistics and extensive support from the respective
state governments. The first biotech park in south Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC),
India was established in 2001 in Chennai, Tamil Bangalore, Karnataka
Nadu in the form of the Golden Jubilee Biotech Park ● The centre has started Intellectual Property
for Women. Following it, more biotech parks got set
up such as the Tidco Centre for Life Sciences (TICEL) Cell to help start-ups in creating the right
Biotech Park in Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Biotechnology kind of framework, file the right IPs and
Incubation Centre, in Hyderabad, Telangana; commercialization of IPs and patents.
Biotechnology Incubation Centre in Cochin, Kerala ● It has also started consultancy services for
and the Biotechnology Park in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Environment, Health and Services and Agri,
On the other hand, the northern region comprises of Food and Nutrition to help and promote
three biotech parks with Biotech Park in Lucknow, entrepreneurship in this promising areas.
Uttar Pradesh, being the oldest while the Industrial ● Apart from conducting specialised scientific
Biotechnology Parks (IBTPs) in Jammu & Kashmir training programmes, BBC holds workshops
and Chhattisgarh Biotech Park in Naya Raipur, and training programmes in IPRs, business
Chhattisgarh are the recent additions. The eastern development, regulatory framework, companies
part of India has one biotech park stationed at act, bio-diversity law and takes incubatees to
Guwahati, Assam i.e. the Biotech Park Technology international conference.
Incubation Centre. ● BBC currently has 37 resident companies and
seven companies have already successfully
“These parks are graduated. With its spiral growth, BBC’s
successfully accelerating start-ups have already been recognised
the commercialization of internationally with many awards and grants,
new technologies, nurturing attracting investors. Ten of its incubatees Next
and maintaining emerging Big Innovation Lab, Indoor Biotech, VNIR,
ventures and assisting Terra Blue, Aindra, Aprus, Pandorum, Yostra,
new enterprises to forge Atrimed and String Bio have already developed
appropriate linkages with proof of concept and prototypes. Inspired with
other stakeholders of the positive growth, BBC is creating more space
biotechnology sector including for start-ups.
academia and Government”, mentions Dr Renu ● It is also ramping up the lab facilities to help
Swarup, Secretary, DBT. start-ups manufacture at pilot scale as a
further step towards elevating their technology
readiness level and commercialization strategy.

26 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Besides the central government, state BIRAC Regional Centres
governments (especially in South India) are
also making their earnest efforts to promote BIRAC Regional Innovation Centre (BRIC)
biotechnology activities by setting up biotech parks, BIRAC has partnered with IKP Knowledge Park,
incubators through public-private partnerships. Hyderabad to set up the BIRAC Regional Innovation
Many incubation centres are also operating Centre (BRIC) at IKP to advance the mandate of
from institutes of excellence such as the IITs, BIRAC in southern India through deeper engagement
universities and prominent colleges, with support with life sciences based organizations in the region.
from government agencies. One of the earliest Since 2013, BRIC has covered 22 clusters pan-India,
incubator was established in Hyderabad in 1999 engaged more than 750 innovators, connected
as a not-for-profit research park- IKP Knowledge more than 200 Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), and
Park. Hyderabad is also home to a bio-incubator conducted around 55 workshops and network
facility situated at the University of Hyderabad. meetings on IP, funding opportunities, regulatory
Likewise, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular guidance and capacity building through incubation in
Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad has established Atal tier II and III cities.
Incubation Centre (AIC) within its campus. “While
AIC-CCMB was initially planned to have a dedicated BIRAC Regional Entrepreneurship Centre (BREC)
incubator space of 10,000 sq ft, the centre now BIRAC has partnered with the Centre for Cellular
spans over two floors, with a cumulative of 20,000 and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Bengaluru to
sft of lab space, lab equipment, workstations, set up BIRAC Regional Entrepreneurship Centre
common spaces such as conference, meeting (BREC). Since 2017, BREC has mentored more
rooms and cafeteria for the startups. We currently than 90 startups for business development strategy,
support 20 startups from different domains like pitching and fund raising; conducted more than 200
bio-pharma, industrial biotechnology, medtech and one-on-one meetings between startups and investors;
animal health, and are proud to report we have two provided specialized domain knowledge to around
200 bio-entrepreneurs and innovators; and organized
graduations, both of which awareness programmes about entrepreneurship as a
went on to raise more funds career attracting more than 700 students.
for scale-up operations.
Over 10 patents have also Savli Technology and
been filed by our startups for Business Incubator (STBI),
work done in this incubation Vadodara, Gujarat
centre”, elaborates Dr N
Madhusudhana Rao, ● STBI has recently been supported by the
CEO, AIC-CCMB. NSTEDB, DST through its NIDHI-TBI
Scheme to add more incubation spaces as also
amenities for the Incubatees. To date, two
incubatees have graduated to larger, self-owned
infrastructure, and one incubatee shall soon
initiate commercial production.

● STBI hosts a ‘Seed Fund’ by the courtesy of the
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance
Council (BIRAC), under their scheme
‘Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Enterprise
Development (SEED) Fund. The quantum of
financial assistance to one start-up is generally
up to Rs 25-30 lakh.

● STBI runs an ideation-support programme
called Idea Doodle Lab., which supports people
tinkering with new ideas, Free of Cost, for
three months. This programme is also being
received very well and promoting biotech
entrepreneurship in the state.

● STBI, through its programme ‘IP Clinic’

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVER STORY 27

BIRAC Regional Bioinnovation Center Centre for Cellular and
(BRBC) Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP),
BIRAC Regional Bioinnovation Center (BRBC) is Bangalore, Karnataka
a joint initiative of BIRAC and Venture Center,
Pune. BRBC aims to fill up some key innovation ● Joined CARB-X Global Accelerator for AMR
ecosystem gaps for biotech startups. Since it innovations as the only Accelerator outside of
came into existence in 2018, BRBC has helped N. America and Europe.
approximately 120 entrepreneurs connect with
mentors; trained 15 incubation managers; ● Launched Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Agri
conducted 50 one-to-one follow up meetings; Innovation in partnership with the government
provided insights to more than 100 students of Karnataka.
or entrepreneurs into essentials of scientific
entrepreneurship; and assisted around 50 startups ● Signed MoU with Agrihub, Brazil for
in solving regulatory queries. collaborative efforts in agritech innovations.

BIRAC Regional Techno-Entrepreneurship ● Tied up with Roslin Institute, Edinburgh
Centre (BRTC) University to collaborate in Agriculture and
The newly developed BIRAC Regional Techno0- allied areas
Entrepreneurship Centre (BRTC) in association
with KIIT Technology Business Incubator, ● Signed MoU with Beyond Next Ventures, BNV,
Odisha has been built as an enabling ecosystem a Japanese VC firm to launch CCAMP BNV
for promoting entrepreneurship and technology Innovation Hub CBIH.
development in the East and North East region
of India. BRTC plans to undertake a number of ● 2 CCAMP startups launch products vitally
Human Resource development programmes in impacting healthcare and agriculture- Coeo
the form of road shows, workshops, trainings, Labs with VAP Care (Ventilator Associated
immersion programmes etc. Pneumonia preventive device) and Sea6Energy
with AGFort (a 100 per cent natural and
facilitates handholding and guidance towards organic ‘tonic’ for plants to boost plant
protection of IP. The clinic is mentored by immunity to viral infections and prevent mass
Techno-legal experts or IP attorneys, who scale crop destruction due to viral infections).
also occasionally delivers talks on topics such
as Drafting and filling strategies, IP licensing ● CCAMP startup Bugworks chosen by CB
& technology commercialization tips, etc. Insights as global change maker, 2019 - the only
in addition to One to One consultation & Indian startup to feature in the list.
mentoring on how to patent your research, etc.
● STBI houses a ‘Funding Clinic’ that helps Venture Center, Pune, Maharashtra
Incubatees/Startups raise funds through
various channels e.g., SEED support, Venture ● Incubatees employed 425 direct employees
Capitalists, Angel Investors and government creating additional 200 new jobs over the last
led Organizations. The clinic is mentored year. Almost 300 indirect jobs were created
by experts, who supports in aspects during this period by Venture Center start-ups.
such as Government Support to
Technopreneurs, Bootstrapping your startup ● Incubatees employed 132 students/interns
business, Crowdfunding, Angel Investment for out of which 25 per cent were absorbed as
your Startup, Venture Capital for your Startup, employees by the companies.
Fund raising from Business Incubators and
Accelerators, Fund raising by winning contests ● The total investment mobilized by Venture
(Biothon, Hackathon), Fund raising through Centre resident incubatees in the past one year
Bank Loans, Fund raising through Non-Banking is approx. Rs 76 crore. Of this amount, 52 per
Financial Corporations, Fund raising through cent was through equity investments, 43 per cent
Govt. Programs that offers Start-up Capital, etc. through various competitive grants, and 3 per
cent through national and international awards.

● Incubatees generated a total revenue of around
Rs 20.5 crore.

● Incubatees filed 16 unique patent families, 39
Trademarks, and 7 design registrations.

● Five new startups joined- OmniBRx
Biotechnologies (Bioprocess research), IntEssence
Solutions (Medical implants), Prayasta 3D
Inventions (personalized breast prostheses),
Intignus Biotech (preeclampsia detection) and
CyCa OncoSolutions (drug delivery).

28 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

In addition, the government of Andhra Pradesh Biotech parks supported by DBT
has established the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone
(AMTZ) dedicated for medical device manufacturing. Biotech Park, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Further on, the bio-incubator at IIT-Madras is Biotech Park at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh
modelled along the lines of successful research parks is the first technology incubator. This has been
at Stanford and MIT. set up jointly as a partnership between Central
and State governments i.e. the Department of
Within Karnataka, the Centre for Cellular and Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology
Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), a DBT initiative and Government of Uttar Pradesh in the year
located within the campus of the National Centre 2002. The Park has attracted 29 companies out
of which 19 have graduated out and presently the
for Biological Sciences park is home to 10 companies.
(NCBS) in Bengaluru, has
been garnering appreciation Biotechnology Incubation Centre,
right since its inception Hyderabad, Telangana
in 2009. Dr Taslimarif
Saiyed, CEO & Director, This Incubation Centre has been established
C-CAMP highlights, “As a key by the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology
mandate, C-CAMP is involved (IICT) and Government of Andhra Pradesh with
in working with scientists, support from DBT and is owned by the Society
entrepreneurs, biotech start- for Biotechnology Incubation Centre (SBTIC).
ups, and pharma companies to establish new high- The centre started its operations in 2009.
end technologies in the country. However, the most It has currently 9 companies
unique mandate of C-CAMP is to create a group of present there, with 74
biotechs in and around the Bangalore Bio-Cluster scientists at work.
and support their growth with incubation facilities,
services, expertise, and collaboration opportunities”. Tidco Centre
DBT has also put in a liberal support to another For Life Sciences
Bengaluru based biotech startup hub- Bangalore (TICEL) Biotech
Bioinnovation Centre (BBC). It was started in Park, Chennai,
2016 by Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Tamil Nadu
Technology Services (KBITS), Department of IT,
BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka. “BBC The Park was
has world class infrastructure facility and central established by Tamil Nadu
instrument facility in its 10 acre campus which Industrial Development
is used by companies, start-ups and academic Corporation Ltd. (TIDCO), an
institutes from across India. Alongside the academic undertaking of the TN State
institutions such as the Institute of Bioinformatics Government with support
and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), the Centre for from DBT. Ticel Bio Park-I
Human Genetics (CHG) and a space dedicated to was established in technical
large biotech companies, BBC is uniquely positioned collaboration with Cornell
to act as a catalysing factor for innovative start-ups University of the US at a cost
working in various fields of life of Rs 54 crore in 2004. The
sciences such as Healthcare second park was inaugurated
(Pharma/MedTech, Bio- at a cost of Rs 168 crore. Work
Pharm), Agriculture, on the third on the Anna University
Food and Nutrition, campus in Coimbatore is currently in
Industrial Biotechnology progress at the cost of Rs 55 crore.
and Environmental
Biotechnology”, points out The Golden Jubilee Biotech Park
Dr Jitendra Kumar, For Women, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Managing Director, BBC.
Moving up north, the government of Maharashtra The Park was established by the
has constructed an International Biotech Park in Government of Tamil Nadu at Siruseri,
Pune in association with The Chatterjee Group Real Kanchipuram District with support from DBT and
Estate as a majority partner. Pune also comprises is fully functional since 2001 with a seed funding
of the largest science business incubator of India- of Rs. 4 Cr from DBT. Since its inception the Park
has turned over 500 skilled women entrepreneurs,

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVER STORY 29

technocrats and workers. Presently, the Park has facility lab is also set up for the entrepreneurs
close to 200 women entrepreneurs & technocrats as well as incubates in the biotechnology Park.
and workers with 40 per cent of them being skilled. Rajeev Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB)
It houses 13 companies inclusive of 5 start-ups and is the Institutional Partner of Kerala Industrial
three incubatees. The new addition to the Park is Infrastructure Development Corporation
the establishment of an Incubation centre with the (KINFRA) for operating the Lab. At present,
support from BIRAC under its BIONEST programme. Kerala Startup Mission (KUSUM) and RGCB
are managing the facility. The BTIC was made
Biotech Park Technology Incubation operational in the year 2009 and there are 16 start-
Centre, Guwahati, Assam ups currently housed in the centre, five companies
have graduated in the Business Enterprise Zone
The Biotech Park Technology Incubation Centre (BEZ). A common facility lab is being used by
(GBPIC) has been sanctioned by the DBT in 2009 entrepreneurs as well as incubates.
for a period of three years. An interim facility for the
Biotechnology Park, Bangalore,
Incubation Centre has been built in an existing Karnataka
building of IIT Guwahati. The government
has extended budgetary support for The project was sanctioned at a total Project
procurement Cost of Rs 32.26 crore with contribution from
of land in Karnataka Biotechnology & Information
proximity Technology Services (KBITS), Department of
to IIT IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka and
DBT. Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) is
Guwahati and envisioned to be a state of the art bioinnovation
for construction centre catering to the needs of startups in
of perimeter the broad areas of life sciences and facilitate
fencing and land innovation driven research.
development cost
for the permanent Industrial Biotechnology Parks (IBTPs),
campus of Guwahati Jammu & Kashmir

Biotech Park. The two Industrial Biotechnology Parks
(IBTPs) in the State of Jammu & Kashmir (one
Biotechnology Incubation Centre, IBTP at Jammu and another at Kupwara, Kashmir
Cochin, Kerala Valley) have been sanctioned by the DBT at a
total cost of Rs 84.6 crore (IBTP-Jammu: Rs
DBT has set up a Biotechnology Incubator Centre 42 crore + IBTP Kashmir: Rs 42.6 crore) to be
(BTIC) at Kerala Biotechnology Park. A common shared between DBT (Rs 60 crore) and Govt. of
Jammu & Kashmir State (Rs 24.6 crore) in June
2018 for a period of three years. The project is
being executed through CSIR-Indian Institute of
Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu for
setting up both IBTPs and on completion, the
facility will be handed over to J&K Industrial
Biotech Parks Society.

Chhattisgarh Biotech Park, Naya Raipur,
Chhattisgarh

The Biotech Park in the State of Chhattisgarh
has been sanctioned by the DBT at a total cost of
Rs 29.6 crore to be shared between DBT (Rs 14.7
crore) and Govt. of Chhattisgarh (Rs 14.9 crore)
in July 2018 for a period of two years. The project
is being executed through Chhattisgarh Biotech
Promotion Society and Indira Gandhi Krishi
Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur.

30 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Venture Center, situated in the CSIR- National bio-incubators and established regional centres to
Chemical Laboratory (NCL) campus. carry out various activities to support innovation
and entrepreneurship- BIRAC Regional Innovation
Joining the league is the Gujarat Government Centre (BRIC) with IKP Knowledge Park, Hyderabad;
that has established a biotechnology park at the Savli BIRAC Regional Entrepreneurship Centre (BREC)
Industrial Estate at Vadodara. “Gujarat is known for with C-CAMP, Bengaluru; BIRAC Regional
its entrepreneurial acumen and has risen to the call Bioinnovation Centre (BRBC) with Venture Center,
of the Prime Minister of ‘Start-Up India, Stand-Up Pune; and BIRAC Regional Techno-Entrepreneurship
India’ by forming ‘Savli Technology and Business Centre (BRTC) with KIIT-TBI, Odisha. “The
Incubator (STBI)’ as an autonomous society under Regulatory Information Facilitation Center (RIFC)
the aegis of Department of Science & Technology at Venture Center, a BRBC initiative, has been set up
(DST), Government of Gujarat (GoG) to establish an to raise awareness concerning regulatory compliance
ecosystem for encourage technology-driven start- and help bio-entrepreneurs and startups take
ups. The GoG supports capital establishment of compliance issues into account from day one, and
plan and secure regulatory approvals. The RIFC at
incubators and biotech parks Venture Center can assist with the following services:
by providing financial support (i) General Advisory (ii) Planning Regulatory
within a ceiling of Rs 1 crore
and Rs 25 crore, through State Pathway (iii) Standards
Biotechnology Policy 2016- Interpretation (iv) Document
21”, Dr A. N. Bhadalkar, Preparation & Review (v) Risk
Joint Director-Business Management (vi) Clinical
Development, Gujarat Trial Study Plan (vii) Clinical
State Biotechnology Trial Advice. As an overall
Mission, GSBTM. impact, the RIFC has assisted
On the eastern side, KIIT Technology Business over 25 startups with advice
Incubator (KIIT-TBI) has been incorporated as on close to 30 products and
an initiative by the Kalinga Institute of Industrial services since its inception last
Technology (KIIT) with support from the year”, shares Dr V Premnath, Director, Venture
National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Center, Pune.
Development Board in Odisha. Through its Bio-NEST (Bio-incubators Nurturing
To further absorb the startups which have Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies)
graduated from these incubators and give them a programme, BIRAC currently supports 41 bio-
platform for further scaling up their R&D activities in incubators, has committed Rs 213 crore, provided
collaboration with the state government and industry, 450000 sq ft incubation space, and created more
the government of India has launched the ‘National than 800 jobs.
Biotechnology Parks Scheme’ (NBPS). “This scheme “The Government is focused on making India
shall remain applicable up to the end of fourteen a global hub for innovation and BIRAC is playing
finance commission i. e. March 31, 2020. “Based on a crucial role in shaping the biotech innovation
the learnings and experience of the Biotechnology ecosystem of India. DBT is playing a catalytic role
parks and Incubators, current National Biotech in building a $100 billion Indian bio-economy
Park Scheme is devised and it will help Government and is now effectively leveraging the research and
achieve its vision and desired future state, as this entrepreneurial capabilities
scheme will be acting as a bridge between the of this sector to address
current and the future state. It will facilitate creation the needs of our people by
of robust specialized infrastructure, conducive creating affordable products
environment and sustainable advantages for both that have the potential to
Industry and the Government to foster innovative change lives and catapult
research & development and product development”, India in to a brighter future”,
adds Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT. shares Dr. Harshvardhan,
Another initiative taken up by the government Union Minister of Health
of India to provide support for establishing bio- and Family Welfare,
incubators either as a standalone entity or as a part Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and
of the academia, came in the form of the public Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
sector enterprise Biotechnology Industry Research
Assistance Council (BIRAC), created back in 2012. Dr Manbeena Chawla
Over the years, BIRAC has partnered with four [email protected]



32 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

41 BIO-INCUBATORS ACROSS
INDIA (SUPPORTED BY BIRAC)

 Venture Centre, NCL, Pune, Maharashtra sophisticated instruments. The incubator has over 90 per
Technology business incubator Venture Center in Pune cent occupancy, with innovative startups germinating.
is host to a BIRAC supported Bio-incubator. Till date,
Venture center has supported well over 70 resident start-  IIT- M Bio-incubator, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
ups. It is considered India’s largest bio-incubator in The Bio-incubator at the Indian Institute of Technology
terms of resident incubatees. (IIT) Madras is located within the IITM Research
Park. It promotes collaboration between the incubated
 Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms companies, corporate R&D, faculty and students at IIT-
(C-CAMP), Bengaluru, Karnataka Madras. At present, it houses 11 startups.
C-CAMP, an initiative of the Department of Biotechnology
(DBT), is a part of one of the country’s earliest Bio clusters  Society of Biotechnology and Incubation Centre
– the Bangalore Life Sciences Cluster (BliSc) - comprising (SBTIC), Hyderabad, Telangana
National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and The Society for Biotechnology Incubation Centre (SBTIC)
Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine was established by the government of Telangana,
(inStem) alongside. Till date, C-CAMP has supported Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and CSIR-Indian
around 100 startups through funding, bio-incubation Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT).
and mentorship.
 Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer
 Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC), Karnataka (FITT), New Delhi
BBC is an implementation partner of Idea2Poc/ The Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer
ELEVATE 100 programme of Department of IT, BT and (FITT) was established at the Indian Institute of
S&T, Government of Karnataka and selected accelerator Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) to foster, promote and sustain
for Med Tech facility under Bio-Nest Programme of commercialization of Science and Technology in the Institute
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council for mutual benefits. It has incubated 95 startups so far.
(BIRAC), under the aegis of DBT, Government of India.
The centre is also supporting startups with seed fund  SIDBI Innovation & Incubation Centre, Kanpur, UP
grant received from BIRAC. SIDBI Innovation & Incubation Centre (SIIC) at IIT-
Kanpur was set up in collaboration with Small Industries
 IKP Knowledge Park (IKP), Hyderabad, Telangana Development Bank of India (SIDBI). SIIC has so far
IKP is a 200- acre premier Science Park and incubator incubated and mentored 53 startups, and disbursed seed
located in Hyderabad. The Life Science Incubator (LSI) funds worth Rs 50 Crores.
in Hyderabad was set up with funding from the National
Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development  KIIT Technology Business Incubator,
Board, Department of Science & Technology to nurture Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
startups. Till date, around 70 startups have been KIIT Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI) is an
incubated at LSI. initiative of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology
(KIIT) Deemed to be University and supported by
 IKP Eden, Bengaluru, Karnataka National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship
IKP EDEN is a member ship based Do-It-Yourself Development Board (NSTEDB), Department of Science
fabrication studio and a startup accelerator of IKP & Technology (DST). Till date, KIIT-TBI has supported
Knowledge Park based in Bengaluru. It has so far 46 biotech startups.
supported more than 60 startups.
 Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, UP
 Savli Technology and Business Incubator (STBI), The BSC BioNEST Bio-Incubator (BBB) s located at the
Gujarat NCR Biotech Science Cluster (NCR-BSC) funded by the
With the support of BIRAC in its erstwhile Bio-Incubator BIRAC under the BioNEST scheme. It is managed by the
Support (BISS) Scheme, STBI has developed laboratory Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB). At present, it
spaces over an area of ~ 15,000 sq. ft., and houses houses 8 startups.

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVER STORY 33

 B V Patel PERC Centre, Ahmadabad, Gujarat  Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
B. V. Patel Pharmaceutical Education & Research VentureStudio is a startup incubator established by
Development (PERD) Centre has nurtured various Ahmedabad University in active collaboration with
startups & entrepreneurs to assist them develop new Stanford University – Centre for Design Research. It is an
products or a services in the area of Pharmaceutics or Life approved BioNEST facility for bio-incubation by BIRAC
Sciences since 2006. with support from the Government of Gujarat Startup
Policy. It is currently supporting 22 startups.
 Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
The Zonal Technology Management and Business  Sristi Innovations, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Promotion Development (ZTM-BPD) Unit of the Indian Sristi (Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable
Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) comprises of an Technologies and Institutions) Innovations is a not-for-
innovation hub and agri-business incubation centre, Pusa profit organization established to strengthen the capacity
Krishi Incubator. The incubator has already graduated of grassroots inventors, innovators and ecopreneurs
three cohorts with 34 start-ups, raised more than Rs 7 in the area of conserving biodiversity. BIRAC has
crore in funding and won several national awards and constituted BIRAC-Sristi Gandhian Young Technological
recognitions. Innovation (GYTI) Awards, in partnership with Sristi
to select 15 entrepreneurial ideas at the university level
 Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre, from across India which then would be nurtured for two
Chennai, Tamil Nadu years in-situ with a grant of Rs 15 lakh.
Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC) is a
joint initiative of Indian Institute of Technology Madras  Indian Institute of Horticultural Research,
(IITM) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT). The Bengaluru, Karnataka
incubator at HTIC has supported more than 15 startups. ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research
(IIHR) houses a technology business incubator-
 Golden Jubilee Biotech Park for Women Society, Business Entrepreneurship & Start-up Support through
Chennai, Tamil Nadu Technology in Horticulture (BESST-HORT) to support
The park has set up an incubation facility supported by agribusiness ventures.
BIRAC. The park has close to 200 women entrepreneurs
and technocrats working in it. About 2500 interns and 100  University of Hyderabad, Telangana
startups are likely to benefit from the park before 2020. The BioNEST bio-incubator facility at the University of
Hyderabad, opened in 2018, has been established in a
 Association for Innovation Development of built up area of over 2,000 square feet at School of Life
Entrepreneurship in Agriculture, Hyderabad, Telangana Sciences. Currently, it is supporting 6 startups.
a-IDEA (Association for Innovation Development of
Entrepreneurship in Agriculture) is a Technology Business  PSG-Science & Technology Entrepreneurial Park,
Incubator (TBI) hosted by ICAR-National Academy of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad (ICAR- The PSG-Science & Technology Entrepreneurial Park
NAARM) & Department of Science & Technology. It has (PSG-STEP) was established with the support from
supported more than 50 startups till now. Department of Science & Technology, IDBI and ICICI at
PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore. It is presently
 BITS Pilani, Goa supporting around 80 startups.
BITS BIRAC BioNEST incubator is an initiative of the
Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship  Panjab University, Chandigarh, Punjab
(CIIE) of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Panjab University houses BioNEST, the incubator for
Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus. Currently, it houses 6 Life Sciences startups since 2017. So far, 15 startups
incubatees. working in the space of bioprocess, food, agriculture and
biopharmaceuticals have been incubated at the university.
 Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship,
Mumbai, Maharashtra  Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu
Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) VIT TBI (Technology Business Incubator) has been
is an umbrella organisation at IIT-Bombay receiving established at the Vellore Institute of Technology with
support from BIRAC, DST and Ministry of Electronics the Sponsorship of the Department of Science and
and IT. So far, it has supported more than 140 startups Technology. More than 30 startups have graduated so far
and raised Rs 1200 crore. from the facility.

34 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

 ICRISAT, Hyderabad, Telangana  AMTZ, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
The Agri-business incubator (ABI) at the International Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone Limited (AMTZ)
Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics is an enterprise under the Government of Andhra
(ICRISAT) is under the Agribusiness and Innovation Pradesh, a 270 acre zone, dedicated for Medical Device
Platform (AIP) in partnership with the Department of Manufacturing. BIRAC has collaborated with Kalam
Science and Technology (DST). It has incubated over Institute of Health Technology, KIHT (located at AMTZ)
200 agribusiness ventures so far, facilitated funding to facilitate Startups, Entrepreneurs, Researchers,
to 23 ventures worth $18 million and assisted in the Academicians, Incubation Centres, SMEs etc in testing
commercialization of 194 agro-technologies. and standardisation of Medical Devices.

 RIIDLF, Mumbai, Maharashtra  Crescent Incubation Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory Crescent Incubation Centre is located within the BS Abdur
Foundation (RIIDLF) in Mumbai has supported more Rehman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology
than 80 startups so far, with $3 million funding raised institute in Chennai. It comprises of an entrepreneurship
and currently incubating 20 startups. development cell and APJ innovation centre.

 LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana  DIIF, New Delhi
The LV Prasad Eye Institute houses a Centre for DPSRU Innovation & Incubation Foundation has been
Innovation comprising an Engineering research group initiated by the Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and
with an Innovation & Incubation centre with funding Research University. It currently houses 8 incubatees.
from BIRAC.
 MSMF, Bengaluru, Karnataka
 IIIT, Hyderabad, Telangana Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation in Bengaluru
Ojas MedTech BioNest is an incubator situated at the comprises of InCITE Technology Business Incubator with
International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) support from DST. InCITE is a unique co-creation space
in Hyderabad focusing on the healthcare arena. IIIT also for biomedical innovators to spur technically-disruptive,
has separate incubation facilities for deeptech and social clinically-impact and commercially-viable technologies.
innovations. The incubator has supported more than 100
startups so far.  NIPER, Guwahati, Assam
National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and
 Clean Energy International Incubation Centre, Research in Guwahati houses the North-Eastern Societal
New Delhi aspect for Translational (NEST) Phytopharmaceutical/
Clean Energy International Incubation Centre (CEIIC) Herbal Research Incubation Centre, with funding
is the joint initiative of Tata Trusts and the Government support from BIRAC.
of India. Supported by Department of Biotechnology,
BIRAC, Tata Power and Tata Power – Delhi Distribution  IASST, Guwahati, Assam
Limited, CEIIC has become the first International Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology
Incubator in India under Mission Innovation. (IASST) in Guwahati comprises of IASST Social Venture
& Entrepreneurship Consortium that provides business
 TIDES-BI, IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand incubation facilities at IASST campus for the startup firms.
TIDES business incubator (BI) is supported by the
StartUp India programme of Government of India and is  SASTRA, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
hosted on the IIT Roorkee campus. TIDES has interacted The Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research
with more than 100 startups in the last three years of Academy (SASTRA) has established a Technology
its operation. More than 20 startups have been offered Business Incubator (TBI) in the area of Internet of Things
incubation support with a cumulative seed funding of Rs (IoT) and 3D Printing in association with the Department
1.2 crore. of Science and Technology (DST). At present, it is
incubating 18 startups.
 SPMVV-TBI, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV)  Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram
comprises of a sanctioned SPMVV Society for Innovation Mizoram University Incubation Centre is the first of its
Incubation and Entrepreneurship Technology Business kind ever to be hosted by a Central University in India’s
Incubator (SSIIE-TBI) and a Rural Women Technology eastern region. The Incubation Centre is proposed to host
Park (RWTP) by DST. up to 30 incubatees.



36 SPEAKING WITH BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

“Prices never go haywire in India
since varied competition always
ensures prices are kept in check”

« will not judiciously use, small subset of patients
requires the combo, etc. There must be SOPs in place
Dr R.K. Sanghavi, whilst evaluating the FDCs for approving as new
Chairman, Medical drugs. It is eagerly awaited how having a practicing
Committee, Indian doctor as a panelist can lend fillip to the process;
Drug Manufacturers’ only possible as my guess if the doctor is hand-picked
Association (IDMA) with meticulous care having appropriate mindset
and mission and vision for FDCs, patient at large and
Apracticing physician in Mumbai for 35 years, regulations – all balanced.
Dr R.K. Sanghavi has been appointed as
Chairman of the Medical Committee of Indian Approvals for clinical trials: This was always a
Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA) for 15th challenge poser. However, with the announcement by
successive year for 2019. Associated with Pharma DCG(I) that if the submitted protocol is not approved
industry for nearly 35 years, he has delivered talks on within one month it will be considered ‘deemed
pharmaceutical products at various summits and has approved’ the whole scenario is now lit up.
spoken at over 250 Doctor CMEs in India as well as in
countries such as Bangladesh, Philippines, Sri Lanka Pitching vigorously for pharmacovigilance
and UAE. BioSpectrum speaks to Dr R.K. Sanghavi, a (PV): The new released PV guidelines that are
seasoned professional who represents the healthcare already gazette and compulsorily implementable is a
industry in various courts in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi big challenge for MSME sector pharma companies In
including the Supreme Court. Edited excerpts; large companies, there are resources, intelligence and
understanding but imagine the plight of companies
What are the major burning issues in the Indian with < Rs 2 crore, or even Rs 10 crore turnover. They
pharma sector currently? do not have any clue what PV is about neither they
The major burning issues from medical possess resources to spend extra nor they employ
perspective are some of the following: additional manpower. Although collecting Indian
patient’s data is a superb thing to do, in my opinion,
Continual banning of FDCs: India is the torch- it should be done phase-wise i.e. mandating bigger
bearer in FDC global space and many countries are companies first, then medium-sized and then scaling
trying to emulate to facilitate patient convenience it down to MSME sector. I suggest to keep a cut-off like
and compliance; the latter is a big challenge to patient may be Rs 5 crore company or Rs 300 crore and then
welfare and healthcare support of governments of maybe everyone will grasp the reality, comprehend
various countries. However, we are choosing to go the process and implement the same for betterment
back to yesteryears and weed out meaningful FDCs, in of India-specific data analytics(for adverse drug
spite of our country, like World Health Organization reactions).
(WHO), US and European Union (EU), having
regulations in place for FDCs’ approval. Uniform Code of Pharmaceuticals
Marketing Practices (UCPMP): There are lot
New FDCs’ approval: There seems to be a of constraints in the UCPMP regulations and the
stringent slowing on process of FDCs approval as government has gone overboard in framing the
new drugs; in fact, triple combos’ approval is virtually same. The relevant guidelines from U.S., U.K. etc.
impossible. The pretext of not approving is based on have been actually duplicated except where there
subjectivity and unquantified facts like many doctors are relaxations these have been made a strict no-no!
One of the pressing concerns of the industry is to
permit the companies to sponsor doctor (alone) for
symposia, scientific meetings, workshops, etc. This
could only lead to enhancing the doctor’s knowledge,
skills, abilities and awareness to the betterment of
the patient. The same is already permitted, with

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com SPEAKING WITH 37

certain restrictions, by Pharma as well as Medical online, it should not matter provided the prescription
Council guidelines in regulated markets and is authenticated and current.
even Asean countries, including in global ethics
guidelines. Hence, this particular clause needs an Currently, the U.S. government is keen on
urgent re-visiting. reducing the price of drugs. How in your opinion
will it impact the Indian pharma companies?
What market trends do you see in this sector in It is sad that drug prices are reduced without any
India? basis, to the extent of even a product’s manufacturing
The market has come down because of many issues. and marketing becoming unviable. Why are many
The growth is not healthy. Earlier, it was 15-20 per price-controlled products not available otherwise?
cent. Now, it has come down to less than 10 per cent. It Irrationality in capping prices without factoring
is hovering around 10 per cent because of ban on Fixed inputs, including technology costs is not justice and is
Dose Combinations (FDCs) and not getting enough mere pleasing-policy driven. No industry can operate
and timely new product approvals. The capping of if it is to price the products at negative profitability.
prices even of non-scheduled products is becoming My personal suggestion is, as per the medical evidence
another constraint. In addition to 328 FDCs which are whichever best drug in any category or subcategory
banned currently, a news item has revealed a step to is, you subject the same under viable price capping;
ban another batch of 300 FDCs as well. This is a big however prices of other drugs in the same sub-
jolt as the market for those 328 FDCs was worth about category must be driven by market forces. For
4000cr and it is about 10 per cent of the total FDCs example, if we take the proton pump inhibitors, then
market. The total FDC product sales constitute 40-45 either rabeprazole can be put under the price cap, but
per cent of the total market. all other Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) (anti-acidity
drugs) like pantoprazole, omeprazole, esomeprazole,
What steps do you recommend should be taken and others. India is a great country and you have small
by pharma companies to get less warning and big manufacturers. Prices never go haywire here
letters and ensure that stringent regulations are since varied competition always ensures prices are
followed? kept in check.
The pharma companies have already geared up
or fast gearing up to comply with the stringent I was in a session wherein personnel from
norms in their functioning. The problem lies in industry, Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs)
not doing or following but failing to comprehend and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority
these regulatory requirements. Even today, many (NPPA), as well as doctors were called to ascertain
entrepreneurs belonging to the MSME sector and I views regarding pricing and controls. When doctors
dare say even the organized sector are simply not were queried and asked what products they need
aware or clarified with respect to the regulatory under price control. They suggested names of an
requirements, and hence they don’t implement it. array of products based on their prescribing habits.
For example, pharmacovigilance is not a known At this one of the industry delegate explained that it
entity even today to mid-size and below companies is always to have most drugs under price control but
of the country in spite of it being mandatory since when seeking opinion, and expecting an unbiased and
over a year. Even the FDCs approved lists that deeply thought of response, the participants must
are put up on website are not being followed by be informed that the Government intends to curb
manufacturers and marketers, due to their basic healthcare spending for which the hospitalization
inability to comprehend and interpret. costs, doctor’s fee, diagnostic charges, administrative
spends of NGOs engaging in healthcare cleaning up
What are your views on digital therapeutics and need to be re-looked. In such a given situation, the
the controversies with E-pharmacies? doctors would surely not rampantly lend voice that
Digital therapeutics is a major breakthrough. every drug must be under price control – they would
E-pharmacy business is the best thing to happen. The definitely more rational in their approach. If such
recent controversy pertaining this issue was because of ways are not adapted it is having an answer form
guidelines not yet been officially solemnized. Once, the a commoner that all television prices need to be
guidelines are gazette, then these will be implemented slashed when their opinion is sought.
and e-pharmacy will only thrive. The main thing
is prescription proof with respect to its validity at Government has decided to reduce the price of
the time of its dispensation. If the prescription is orphan drugs. What impact would it have?
physically handed over to the chemist or submitted Effective January 3, 2019, manufacturers, importers
and marketers of new drugs patented in India are

38 SPEAKING WITH BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

exempt from price control for a period of five years What future do you foresee for pharma/
from the date of commencement of their commercial healthcare industry?
marketing. This is apparently fine. These new drugs The constraining policies are now in place and
will be encouraged to enter the country to treat niche they are gazette. The increasing banning of FDCs,
patient population suffering from rare diseases. including those marketed, seems to be on a roll.
So, we have to make sure the way out would be
Does that mean that companies would focus concentrating on products in healthcare pertaining
more on manufacturing of orphan drugs? to cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, super-specialty
Yes, they would. This is an avenue open for them. products etc. General products and specific
The most common rare diseases include hemophilia, products, critical for day-to-day healthcare would be
thalassemia, sickle-cell anemia and primary immune taken care of by lot of small companies, established
deficiency in children, auto-immune diseases, brand players and MNCs.
lysosomal storage disorders such as Pompe disease,
Hirschsprung disease, Gaucher’s disease, cystic What is your opinion on generic vs branded
fibrosis, hemangiomas and certain forms of muscular debate?
dystrophies. In my opinion, generics is not a good business. To start
writing generic name on prescription is not acceptable
What are the key innovative technologies that for various reasons and pitfalls:
will rule the pharma industry? What are the
major breakthroughs? When you make generic medicines compulsory,
We are working mainly on NCEs. Delivery systems you have removed the brand name. This kills the
are main thing as they help make products more identity of the product. Why should healthcare have
convenient and less liable to side effects. Biologics and stepmother treatment unlike any other field? TVs,
Biosimilars are currently being actively considered as soaps, packaged foods, and even political parties are
a long-term strategy, especially by the larger pharma branded! Brands relate to perceptions on quality,
companies. reliability, availability, etc. Quality will be impacted
for certain in spite of Government announcing that
What is the impact on pharma industry post- they are accountable for the same. For example, one
introduction of G.S.T? manufacturer confided that production of a single
There were problems earlier but now companies have batch of one molecule product in a single batch
already tided over the initial hiccups. Chemists are takes him mere 1 day, but the same being done by
finding difficulty in doing cash sales and those in the him for a larger corporate his factory is occupied
unorganized sector, especially in smaller townships for 3 days! Imposing upon the doctor, the true
have much to complain about! custodians of health, to write generics could prove to
be counterproductive for health welfare of patients.
What suggestions do you have for the pharma Can the Government, however, take accountability
industry? if a patient does not have the desired end-results if a
I feel that Central Drugs Standard Control Organization doctor is compelled to prescribe a generic?
(CDSCO) / guiding body in the government should
have a practicing industry-informed medical doctor. Generic prescribing stems not from fostering
This would be helpful in most decisions since pharma cheaper healthcare motive, there already being a
industry deals with drugs, and implied healthcare governing NPPA in the country, it is to break the
and who else, but medical professionals, can possibly doctor-pharma company nexus. However, by so-
provide guidance with an eye for optimal healthcare, doing, the government is only encouraging and
and in a balanced fashion. A first positive step is pushing forward a chemist-industry nexus. Doctors
already taken by the current Drug Controller General have presumably a consideration for their patients
of India [DCG(I)] Dr S Eswara Reddy by announcing and are bound morally by the Hippocrates oath; in
incorporating a practicing doctor in the panel of the latter case, if it takes a shape, neither the chemist
each of the Subject Expert Committees (SEC). Great nor the company sales force will see beyond business
step and he justifies my personal admiration for his ethics and patient’s health and well-being are all set to
abilities. This SEC-related decision was quick, within be compromised. Chemists will rule the prescription
a month, of my requesting for some such move in the honoring and will only possibly push those company’s
last week of December 2018 as a panelist; it could products which provide higher margins / frills enjoyed
have been co-incidental as well, but augers well for the and the uneducated / gullible patient will be at his
industry and patient management by doctors. mercies.

Prapti Shah
[email protected]



40 ADVERTORIAL BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Model predictive control of
batch processes with Umetrics®

Suite of Data Analytics Solutions

Vaibhav Patil, Figure 1: Actual trajectory of a process (black dotted line) & expected trajectory
Senior Data Scientist, (green line) emphasizing the unknown nature of future trajectory.
Sartorius Stedim Data Analytics
How to predict the future
Vaibhav has an M. Tech. in Bio-Chemical
Engineering with extensive biopharmaceutical Let us approach this with a simple example, assume
industry experience. His major areas of there are two process variables- x1 & x2 that are
interest are DoE / QbD, designing structured correlated (Figure 2).
approach to accelerate research, improving
process efficiency and continuous Figure 2: Correlated variables, x1 and x2.
improvement in manufacturing processes
(Pharma, Biopharma, Chemical, Food & Feed
and Agriculture) by applying advanced data
analytics, PAT tools and automation.

In the pharmaceutical industry, it is becoming
increasingly clear that predictive process models
and advanced analytics can be of enormous
assistance in solving many of the unique challenges.
Advanced data analytics tools are used by industry
to find the golden nuggets in historical data, aid in
process development, fine-tune production, and
achieve long-term improvements in product quality
and throughput.

Even if one uses highly advanced real-time
analytics, they can only analyze what has happened
up to the current time point. They are unaware
of the problems that will occur further on in the
process. The ideal scenario will of course be to have
the ability to predict the future of the process and
use that information to avoid future problems from
happening. If we know and understand the future,
we can make changes upfront to improve future
results. Figure 1 illustrates an ongoing process
highlighting the actual and expected trajectory of
the process.

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com ADVERTORIAL 41

If we only measure x1, we can refer to the historic control and optimize a process. The goal is to find
data and plot our estimates onto a scatter plot. We the best future settings of your process variables, in
can draw the line of best fit and use it to estimate order to arrive at the desired outcome of your future
the likely results of x2 for new measurements of x1 process. For example, if you run a biological process,
(Figure 3). The method to get these values is called you might collect data for variables such as pH and
imputation. temperature. Model predictive control can then be
used to adjust the future values of the variables, in
this case pH and temperature to optimize the future
of the process. Umetrics®’ SIMCA-online has a
powerful tool, Control Advisor, which forecasts and
advises future mode for desired outcome.

How Control Advisor works in practice

Control Advisor can be used in both continuous
processes and batch type processes. Control Advisor
uses existing measurements of the process (up till
current time point), future known setpoints and the
multivariate model to propose smart adjustments
to critical process parameters; this is illustrated in
figure 5.

Figure 3: Using correlation to impute the missing value of x2 from x1

In real-world applications, similar estimations
of future values of critical process parameters are
done using sophisticated missing value imputation
algorithms that involve multiple variables at the same
time. This is how we arrive at the predicted “open
loop” future performance in figure 4.

Figure 5: Actual trajectory of a process (black dotted line), expected trajectory
(green line), predicted “open loop” future performance of the rest of the
process (dark blue dotted line) and predicted “closed loop” future performance
following a process intervention as suggested by Control Advisor (light blue
dotted line).

Figure 4: Actual trajectory of a process (black dotted line), expected trajectory Visit www.umetrics.com to download a
(green line) and predicted “open loop” future performance of the rest of the 30 day free trial of SIMCA-online and
process (blue dotted line). use Control Advisor.

Model Predictive Control: How to use India Contacts:
predictions to optimize performance  Vaibhav Patil
[email protected]
Model predictive control or statistical process control +91 99514 56508
is a methodology where one can use predictions to  Lohit Tirukappa
[email protected]
+91 99020 36211

42 SPEAKING WITH BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

“If not addressed, India
will lag behind in innovations”

« India will further lag behind in terms of innovations.
Also, inefficiencies in systems lead to increased costs
Dr S Jhaveri, and so scientists spend not only more time but also
Founder of more money to purchase lab products!
Biomall.in, India
How is Biomall.in helping scientists across India
Indian universities delivered a mixed performance in their daily research work?
at the 2019 Asia University Rankings comprising Through its online marketplace, Biomall.in is
417 universities. This is due to significant changes providing about 100,000+ laboratory products across
at individual institutions. However, a major issue 100+ categories - majorly chemicals, microbiology,
prevailing in the research labs of Indian universities diagnostics, molecular biology, chromatography, lab
is that the scientists often struggle to get their lab consumables and equipment, available from 150+
supplies on time resulting in inefficient project brands on a single platform. Scientists have a limited
planning and delays. In midst of this, online portal research budget for a project and need to manage
Biomall.in has come across as a relief for the Indian their purchases within the available funds. On
scientists to manage their lab supplies efficiently. Biomall, the suppliers have provided good discounts
Dr S Jhaveri, Founder of Biomall.in, spoke to on many products including chemicals, regular lab
BioSpectrum’s Dr Manbeena Chawla about the consumables, chromatography columns, etc. This
potential ecosystem he intends to develop in India. has been possible by 1) Connecting scientists directly
Edited Excerpts; with the manufacturers/authorized distributors 2)
Elimination of costly field sales representatives 3)
What are the current challenges being faced by Timely payment to the suppliers and 4) Low marketing
the scientific laboratories in India? costs. All these factors in combination have brought
Majority of scientific laboratories in India still follow down the product cost and this saving has been passed
the traditional system of inviting multiple quotations, on to the researchers. Thus, by procuring products
followed by indenting, generation of purchase orders from Biomall not only valuable time is saved but the
and payment to suppliers 30-90 days after delivery. A researchers also save money thereby making good use
single purchase-sale cycle thus lasts for months. Even of the funds available for R&D.
the rate contract system, wherein a vendor is chosen
for a particular brand at the start of the financial year, Which products or services are generating
is inefficient as the institute has to rely on a single maximum business for Biomall.in, in India and
vendor who might not have stocks readily available internationally?
and cannot purchase from any other vendor who Although we are an e-commerce platform, the
might have stocks for the required product. Typically suppliers are most interested in the digital marketing
a lab buys products from multiple brands so again services that we offer as most SME’s do not have time
they need to contact multiple vendors and a lot of or resources for the same. We have in-house experts
time is invested in procuring day-to-day lab supplies. who can effectively promote products to targeted
So while a lab in India would take months just to get audience and thereby increase the reach of brands
their supplies; elsewhere laboratories in countries in the most cost-effective manner. Our major online
with more advanced purchasing systems would have business is generated from the sales of lab chemicals,
already completed their project by the time supplies plastic ware and glassware, in vitro diagnostic
reach the scientists bench in India! This is a critical equipment, microbiology, molecular biology and cell
factor that needs to be addressed immediately else culture products.

What are your future plans?
Our major focus in future is to increase the reach of
Biomall in India and worldwide and provide a vast
range of products that the scientists can purchase
directly from the suppliers via our platform.

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com ACADEMIC NEWS 43

GSK, RCB to PhoreMost and inStem enter
develop new structural biology alliance
scientific
doctoral PhoreMost, the UK-based druggable sites across multiple
programmes targets, to rapidly advance new
biopharmaceutical company therapies. PhoreMost’s next-
The Regional Centre generation phenotypic screening
for Biotechnology dedicated to drugging ‘undruggable’ platform SITESEEKER probes
(RCB), an academic the entire proteome in a live cell
institution of national disease targets, has announced environment for novel druggable
importance established targets, enabling the systematic
by the Department that it has entered into a structural unmasking of cryptic druggable
of Biotechnology, sites. PhoreMost has built a pipeline
Government of India, biology focused collaboration with of novel targets and early drug
under the auspices discovery programmes using this
of UNESCO, and the Bengaluru based Centre for platform, and the new collaboration
GlaxoSmithKline will draw on CCBT’s structural
Pharmaceuticals have Chemical Biology and Therapeutics and chemical biology expertise to
launched the Trust in progress selected targets within
Science Programme (CCBT). The CCBT is funded by the PhoreMost’s discovery portfolio.
to develop doctoral CCBT is a state-of-the-art
programmes (PhDs) in Department of Biotechnology at the multidisciplinary effort formed to
the fields of biostatistics pioneer innovative approaches to
and bioinformatics. Under Institute for Stem Cell Science and create chemical tools that modulate
this initiative, the RCB novel classes of targets. The Centre
will develop programme Regenerative Medicine (inStem). integrates biochemistry, genetics
content, manage logistics and cell biology with structural
and oversee the running of The aim of the collaboration is the biology, computational chemistry
the full-time programmes. and synthetic chemistry.
GSK Pharmaceutical Ltd. structural visualisation of novel
will provide funding and
ensure all course content Ansal University collaborates
is shaped to address with Yuva Healthcare
current industry needs and
opportunities. Students Gurugram based Ansal University has launched a hi-tech Simulation
with a master’s degree in laboratory for training of students of its Sushant School of Health Science, in
biostatistics, maths, and association with Yuva Healthcare Institute. With the launch of simulators,
bioinformatics are eligible Ansal University is on its way to transform teaching methodologies on
for the PhD courses. GSK smart robots which can simulate
Pharmaceutical’s “Trust different health parameters of
in Science” initiative is a human body. Such kind of
a novel public-private advanced training will make the
partnership model to graduates employable all over the
build R&D capacity for works making the programmes
development and discovery aspirational. This marks a bright
in science. The pillars of future for healthcare education
this initiative are: scientific in India which is set to grow at
excellence, trust and talent exponential rate. The objective to
development in line with be delivered via introducing the
GSK’s Science, Technology simulators is to make students confident and present them with exposure as
and Culture values. well as the experience they require to excel in their field. Ansal University’s
initiative to prep up the professional industry of Health and Medicare is all
about making the laboratory as realistic as possible.

44 SCIENCE NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

IIT-H invents detection device for early diagnosis of heart attack

A team of researchers from the of cardiac muscle proteins such I, which get released into the
Indian Institute of Technology as the biomarker cardiac troponin blood. Detecting the biomarker
(IIT) Hyderabad has developed in the blood serum helps in early
a microfluidic device for early diagnosis of heart attack. The
diagnosis of heart attack. A cardiac researchers have successfully
biomarker — cardiac troponin integrated the microfluidic
I — that is widely used for early device with chitosan-coated
diagnosis of acute heart attack can nickel vanadate nanospheres to
now be detected in about three enable rapid detection and better
minutes and even when present at sensitivity. The team plans to
very low concentration. The heart undertake large trials involving
cells that get damaged during many patient samples before it
heart attack cause the expression can be used commercially.

IIT-M unravels IISc scientists use
unique mechanism of mathematics to study
bacterial proteins hepatitis C virus

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science
researchers have unravelled a mechanism by which (IISc), Bengaluru, have proposed a mathematical
bacterial proteins respond to changes in external model that can determine the number of mutations
environment. The susceptibility to and intensity of the hepatitis C virus can carry in an infected
bacterial infection are directly related to the virulence individual, even before starting any treatment.
of the bacteria. Bacterial virulence is in turn affected There are seven major types of hepatitis C virus,
by external environmental conditions such as which behave differently to antivirals, and hence,
heat, presence of salts etc. Bacteria have developed the treatment must depend on the genotype of
regulatory mechanisms that enable their survival the virus. The model can predict the mutant
under hostile conditions in the host or outside. frequencies in these different genotypes, thus
Bacterial systems have evolved molecular sensors that further tailoring the treatment. The researchers
can inform them whether a host has been invaded or compared the mutation predictions from their
if the environment is hostile or friendly. Such sensors, model with a publicly available database of the
a majority of which are proteins, undergo structural virus and experimental observations. They found
changes proportional to the prevailing environmental that their model was more effective than existing
conditions. These changes then determine the extent ones, which underpredict the mutant frequencies.
to which they interact with other proteins that in As a next step, they want to test their model using
turn drives expression or silencing of specific genes. available drug combinations and predict the best
The researchers have shown that understanding and combinations.
manipulating the basic molecular forces that hold the
protein together can go a long way in understanding
pathogenicity.

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com SCIENCE NEWS 45

NIRTH identifies new HIMSR develops
biomarker for malaria nail enamel to
fight infections
A team of researchers from Indian Council of Medical Research’s
Jabalpur-based National Institute of Research in Tribal Health Researchers from the Delhi-
(NIRTH) has identified a genetic sequence in the body of malaria based Hamdard Institute of
parasite that promises to help develop a more sensitive diagnostic Medical Sciences and Research
test for the disease. The scientists looked at three genes: Glutamate (HIMSR) have developed a
dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase and aldolase of Plasmodium novel translucent nail lacquer
falciparium, a variety of malarial parasite that is the deadliest. fortified with an antifungal
Among the three genes, nucleotide composition of glutamate drug to treat onychomycosis.
dehydrogenase was almost the same across the samples. Analysis of The drug-infused, quick-drying
the protein structure of this gene revealed that it folded into similar polymer can be easily applied
protein structure across the samples, confirming that it could be a like nail polish. This nail lacquer
potential biomarker for malaria. has shown promising results
in delivering the antifungal
drug for extended durations
indicating its potential use as a
topical application and effective
remedy to treat onychomycosis.
The researchers are now looking
for industry collaboration to
develop their innovation into a
pharmaceutical product.

46 PEOPLE NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Dr Mahesh Bhalgat Fortis Healthcare
joins Syngene as COO appoints Sanjay
Sinha as CHRO
Syngene International, a leading global Contract Research
Organisation, has announced the appointment of Dr Mahesh Fortis Healthcare Limited (Fortis) has
Bhalgat as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Dr Bhalgat has announced the appointment of Sanjay
taken charge as COO with effect from July 1, 2019. He comes to Sinha as its new Chief of Human
Syngene from Shantha Biotechnics, a Sanofi company, where Resources Officer (CHRO) effective
he was responsible for all manufacturing operations, supply June 17, 2019. He will lead the
chain, engineering projects, HSE, manufacturing excellence Human Resource (HR) function at a
and administrative services. In a career spanning over 25 group level based out of the Corporate
years in the field of biotechnology and biologics, Dr Bhalgat Office of Fortis in Gurugram,
is recognised for his contribution to the commercialization of Haryana. Sinha is a seasoned HR
diagnostic kits, biopharmaceuticals and WHO pre-qualification professional with an illustrious
career spanning over 29 years. He
of vaccines. He has rich experience in diverse has a successful and well-recognized
areas of biotechnology such as biotherapeutics, HR leadership profile spreading
vaccines, ag-biotech, and research reagents and across industries like Telecom, IT,
has been associated with companies such as Services and infrastructure. While
Amgen, Monsanto, Celera Genomics, Thermo he has a strong HR generalist profile
Fisher, Biological E. A Ph.D. in Medicinal where role calls for solid strategic
Chemistry from the University of Utah, he support to businesses, he has done
is the Co-Chair of CII’s National Committee some world-class work in Learning
of Biotechnology as well as a member of the & Development, Organizational
Biomeriux Scientific Advisory Board, Development and Organizational
France, United States Pharmacopeia, change, Merger & Acquisition,
GCBA committee and the Indian Integration, and Talent Management
Pharmacopeia Commission. including large scale restructuring and
change management in a complex,
Pfizer brings Dr Scott multi-cultural, multi-location and
Gottlieb on Board highly matrix environment. He has
been a SME in various HR domains at
Pfizer has announced the election of Dr Scott Gottlieb to its various stages of his career. Prior to
Board of Directors, effective immediately. Dr Gottlieb, age joining Fortis, Sinha was associated
47, was also appointed to the Regulatory and Compliance with the Hinduja group companies
Committee and the Science and Technology Committee of HGS and HTL, Nortel Networks,
Pfizer’s Board. Dr Gottlieb, a physician and medical policy Polaris, Siemens and NTPC.
expert, is currently a Special Partner of New Enterprise
Associations, Inc.’s healthcare investment team and a Resident
Fellow of the American Enterprise Institute. He served as the
23rd Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) from 2017 to 2019. Prior to serving as
Commissioner, Dr Gottlieb held several
roles in the public and private sectors,
including serving as the FDA’s Deputy
Commissioner for Medical and Scientific
Affairs and as a Senior Adviser to
the Administrator of the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services, where
he helped implement the Medicare drug
benefit, advance policies to improve
healthcare quality and promote the
effective use of new medical technologies.

Media Partner advt - ENGLISH Size : 180x250 mm

Smart Technologies for
Sustainable Development

11th

22 - 25 November 2019

Reshimbagh Ground, Nagpur

Central India's Largest Agri Summit

Grand National Agri Expo

•Participation of over 400 organisations from National & Multinational Companies, Corporates,

Research Institutes. Agri Universities, NGO, Various Departments of Central & State Govt. etc

•Visited by Lakhs of farmers from all over India

Free Workshops for Farmers MApSpEMrvoevEnetd

•Workshops on important topics to be conducted by Agri Experts

to educate, encourage & empower farmers

•Extended workshops on certain current topics of importance
•Success stories of farmers

Special Attraction
Animal Husbandry Pavilion
Special Pavilion for MSME Registered Units
International Pavilion

Special Conference for Medium,
Small, & Micro Entrepreneurs in
Agriculture and Food Processing

Expert panel discussion

BSoToAk LYoLuTorday

Agrovision Secretariat : Nagpur : 97647 96709 Ph: 0712-2544 929 I Pune : 99232 02884 Ph: 020-2729 1769 I Delhi : 95997 79029 Ph : 011-4354 2737
Email : [email protected] / [email protected] Follow /@agrovisionindia

Organised By Supported By

Ministry of Agriculture & Ministry of Micro, Small &
Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India Medium Enterprises, Govt. of India

48 SUPPLIERS NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Agilent announces BioTek acquisition for $1.16B

Agilent Technologies Inc. has announced that it has
signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately-owned
BioTek Instruments for $1.165 billion. With anticipated tax
benefits for Agilent, the net purchase price is expected to
be approximately $1.05 billion. BioTek is a global leader in
the design, manufacture and distribution of innovative life
science instrumentation. Its comprehensive product line
includes cell imaging systems, microplate readers, washers,
dispensers, automated incubators and stackers. These
products enable life science research by providing customers
with high performance, cost-effective analysis across diverse
applications. BioTek generated revenues of $162 million in
fiscal year 2018 ending December 31 and is expected to grow
approximately 10 per cent in 2019. The transaction is expected
to be completed in Agilent’s fiscal fourth quarter of this
year, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing
conditions. Agilent expects the acquisition will be accretive to
non-GAAP earnings per share, contributing $0.02-$0.04 for
fiscal year 2020, and compounding growth thereafter.

SCIEX, EluciData Sartorius unveils
team up for metabolomics new bioreactor vessel
data processing
Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB), a leading
SCIEX, a global leader in life science analytical international partner of the biopharmaceutical
technologies, announces a co-marketing industry, has launched a new vessel for its ambr
agreement with EluciData, a disruptive 250 modular benchtop automated mini bioreactor
integrated Omics platform company providing system. The single-use vessel has been specially
tools for metabolomics data processing. This designed for therapeutic cell lines and offers the
relationship will uniquely position SCIEX potential for accelerated process development of
to address the major challenges faced by cell and gene therapy applications and scale-up
scientific researchers and allow them to into cGMP single-use bioreactors and bags. The
efficiently process all of their metabolomics new unbaffled vessel design with a large pitched
data from a diverse range of workflows. It blade impeller has a working volume of 100-
will allow scientists to interpret these results 250 mL and provides an environment for gentle
in a biological context to further advance the agitation and mixing without sedimentation,
fields of target identification and validation, allowing optimal growth of single cell
as well as deeply characterize the underlying suspensions, cell aggregates or adherent cells on
biology. Under this agreement, EluciData and microcarriers. In trials with leading regenerative
SCIEX will promote EluciData’s integrated medicine companies, the new mini bioreactor
Omics platform, called Polly, in conjunction has shown better cell culture performance
with SCIEX technologies, including TripleTOF, compared with less predictive spinner or T-flask
X500R QTOF, and QTRAP, as well as models, enabling rapid process optimization
Differential Ion Mobility technology. Polly is an and improved scalability to larger
end-to-end, vendor-neutral, integrated omics bioreactors.
platform that standardizes and streamlines
metabolomics data analysis workflows, as well
as integrates various other forms of omics data,
to better understand cellular phenotype.

BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com SUPPLIERS NEWS 49

Bio-Rad launches multiplex
assay for immunotherapy research

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. has targets. The Bio-Plex Pro Human
Immunotherapy Panel 20-plex
launched Bio-Plex Pro Human covers biologically-researched
cytokine targets that are
Immunotherapy Panel 20-plex, associated with immunotherapy
research. The Bio-Plex Pro
a multiplex immunoassay that Human Immunotherapy Panel
20-plex is a ready-to-use, 1 x 96-
offers a targeted approach for well kit that contains premixed
magnetic capture beads and
Immunotherapy Research. detection antibodies, standards,
and buffers that produce results
Messenger molecules such for 20 different cytokines using
only 12.5uL of sample. The Bio-
as cytokines are involved in Plex Panel maximizes laboratory
efficiency by generating key
the communication within actionable data in a single
experiment.
the immune system and play

a vital role in a variety of

conditions including cancer and

autoimmune diseases. Advancing

Avantor discoveries in immunotherapy

announces can be time consuming as

distribution existing immunoassay tools may

agreement with not be tailored to cover specific

Genei Labs targets including cytokine

Avantor, Inc., a leading global Thermo Fisher introduces
provider of mission-critical new formats for antimicrobial
products and services to susceptibility testing
customers in the life sciences
and advanced technologies & Comprehensive antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for Gram
applied materials industries,
has announced a five-year negative and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO), including
distribution agreement with
Genei Laboratories. Genei, the antimicrobials eravacycline, omadacycline and plazomicin, is
based in Bengaluru, develops
and produces an array of high- now available in the U.S. in off-the-shelf, standard plate formats. By
quality, affordable life science
products to support customers providing an accurate MIC result, microbiology laboratories can reduce
in advancing research and
applications. The company offline testing and improve
provides reagents for molecular
biology and protein science, kits workflow while providing the
for diagnostic and educational
needs, and a variety of custom information clinicians need
services for biology applications.
Avantor will promote the sale to help guide appropriate
and distribution of Genei
products within India through therapeutic decisions. The
its channel brand, VWR, part
of Avantor, on an exclusive Thermo Scientific Sensititre
basis. As part of the agreement,
Avantor will distribute Genei AST System is the first to offer
products to other regions on a
non-exclusive basis. eravacycline, omadacycline and

plazomicin on an FDA-cleared,

IVD-labeled microbroth

dilution susceptibility plate

for comprehensive AST using

second-line MDRO therapies

with expanded dilution ranges for Gram negative organisms to

better detect emerging resistance. A research-use-only format is also

available with the inclusion of colistin. In addition, the new FDA-

cleared, IVD-labeled Thermo Scientific Sensititre Gram Negative

GN7F AST Plate includes 24 common first-line therapies, as well

as ceftazidime/avibactam and ceftolozane/tazobactam and lower

dilution ranges for ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin to better test

susceptibilities of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

50 BIO EVENT BIOSPECTRUM | AUGUST 2019 | www.biospectrumindia.com

INDIA INNOVATION GROWTH PROGRAMME 2.0

“Govt plans matching grant
to industry-supported startups”

Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department Prof. Ashutosh
of Science and Technology (DST), Government Sharma, Secretary,
of India said that if a company partners with Department of Science
a startup, then the DST will also partner with it and and Technology (DST),
extend a matching grant to help it scale up. Speaking Government of India
at the ‘Awards Ceremony - India Innovation Growth speaking at the ‘Awards
Programme (IIGP) 2.0’,Prof. Sharma said that the Ceremony - India
department may take the decision on providing a Innovation Growth
matching grant to the successful startup in a month or Programme (IIGP) 2.0’
two. organised by FICCI in
New Delhi on July 19.
“If industry is partnering with a startup putting an
x amount of money, depending on the plans and other List of Open Innovation
things, then DST will also partner and probably would Challenge Winners 2019
put a matching amount of money in that startup,” he
said, adding the challenge for startups is to scale up and ● Astrogate Labs Pvt. Ltd.
transition into stable businesses. ● Ayu Devices Pvt. Ltd.
● BeAble Health Pvt. Ltd.
The government is coming up with startup centres ● BiolMed Innovations Pvt. Ltd.
worth Rs 150 crore each to help the startups access the ● BNG Spray Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
resources, especially hardware, he said. Three centres ● C Electric Automotive Drives Pvt. Ltd.
will be launched this year, followed by 3-4 centres per ● CogniABle (SM Learning Skills Academy for
year, thus creating a total of 20 such centres, he added.
Special Needs Pvt. Ltd.)
The India Innovation Growth Programme (IIGP) ● CyCa Oncosolutions Pvt. Ltd.
2.0, a tripartite initiative of the Department of Science ● Kanpur Flowercycling Pvt. Ltd.
and Technology (DST), Government of India, Lockheed ● Nubewell Networks Pvt. Ltd.
Martin and Tata Trusts named the winners of the 2019
edition of the annual IIGP 2.0. The winners were chosen to support and celebrate the culture of courage and
from over 2,400 applicants who presented innovations innovation in India and bring to life some of these
that aim to bring large scale social impact and industrial clearly valuable technology solutions.”
transformation in India.
Manoj Kumar, Head, Innovation and
16 start-ups from the annual Open Innovation Entrepreneurship, Tata Trusts & CEO, Social
Challenge and 20 university teams from the University Alpha said, “Through the India Innovation Growth
Challenge each received grants of Rs 25 Lakh and Programme, we continue to build on Tata Trusts’ legacy
Rs 10 Lakh respectively to enable the evolution and of promoting science and technology innovations in
maturation of their technology solutions proposals. India to create a positive impact on society. We want to
support promising, mission-driven entrepreneurs who
Prof. Sharma further urged FICCI to scale up the are solving some of the most complex developmental
IIGP by doubling the size of the programme, which challenges. We are proud to announce the winning
awarded 20 University Challenge winners and 16 Open innovations and envisage these impactful solutions to
Innovation Challenge winners this year. play an important role in India’s next phase of growth
and development.”
Phil Shaw, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin in
India said, “The talent pool and potential for positive The purpose of IIGP 2.0 is to encourage, identify,
change through technology in India, from India, for support and incubate the technology solutions devised
India and the world, is immense as we witnessed this by ingenious local start-ups and university teams that
year during the judging process. We perceive it is seek to solve complex challenges.
our collective civic duty to the ingenious scientists,
innovators and leaders of tomorrow to be a catalyst NoPo Nano Technologies P Ltd, Sastra Technologies
for their growth. Lockheed Martin is proud to be a P Ltd and Terero Mobility Pvt. Ltd. have signed MoUs
pioneering member of IIGP since 2007 and continues with Lockheed Martin for helping them scale-up.