Biotech park to be opened in June

BANGALORE: The much-delayed biotech park called Bangalore Helix is expected to open in June to coincide with the flagship biotech event in India-Bangalore Bio 2007. The first phase of this six acre park would house the Institute of Bioinformatics & Applied Biotechnology (IBAB) and the Center for Human Genetics.

MN Vidyashankar, IT and BT secretary, Government of Karnataka, said that the park would have a total floor space of 7,00,000 sq. ft. Of this, 2,50,000 sq. ft of build up area is expected to be ready in a year’s time. He said that many companies - both MNCs and Indian - have expected interest in setting up operations in the park.

“We received 21 applications and have short-listed 16 companies including Alexandria, Gamin, L&T, two Singaporean companies and a Malaysian company,” he said.

The park is being set up at a cost of Rs 350 crore with the Government contributing equity in the form of land.

Besides the park, the State government is also set to unveil the new revamped biotech policy for Karnataka at the Bangalore Bio. The event’s conference theme will focus on “Accelerating Industry Growth Through Integrated Innovation.”

Organizers are trying to rope in Nobel laureates to speak at the event. The event will be held from June 7-9 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Center, Tumkur Road in Bangalore. .

The event’s highlights include trade show, CEO conclave, agri biotech day, B2B forum, career forum, and a special session focusing on IPRs.

The biotech industry is also looking forward to introduce science management programs and other executive education programs for academia and industry personnel in association with Xavier Institute of Management Education, IBAB and the Biotechnology Vision Group.

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