Structure

Introduction- about the biotech industry in Karnataka

Body- Points supporting the argument ie. Name the policies that helped Conclusion - Brief note about all other factors that helped the sector grow

Content

• Karnataka is considered as the biotech hub of the
• It is the preferred destination biotech investment in the
• More than 60% of the biotech companies in the country have a base in
• The state is responsible for 50% of the total revenues being generated in the biotech sector in

Key factors influencing the growth of the biotechnology sector in Karnataka

• The presence of a strong resource base coupled with the advantage of having well- developed research capabilities in the state
• Vast talent pool, skilled manpower, and infrastructure facilities
• Cost-effective manufacturing facilities
• Government policies
  • SEZs in Karnataka that are exclusively focused on Biotechnology
  • The state has the largest biotechnology industry cluster in the country
  • Exclusive biotech centers and parks planned in various cities and towns of the state including the Nutraceutical and Phyto Pharmaceutical Park at Mysore, Agri Biotech Park at Dharwad, Marine Biotech Park at Mangalore, and Vivarium at Bidar
  • The presence of a large number of life sciences start-ups in the state that boosts innovation in the biotech sector
  • Karnataka has a strong pharmaceutical sector that exports around 40% of the pharma production taking place in the state

Policies and initiatives by the state government

• The government is providing for various incentives in the production facilities through the Karnataka State Industrial policy. It is a strategic plan that seeks to encourage and improve the biotech start-up and innovation scenario in the
• The fact that Karnataka organizes the biggest annual biotech-focused summit in India, The Bangalore India Bio Summit, also points towards the state government’s interest to boost the biotechnology sector in the

Some of the initiatives by the state government include the following:

• Active single window clearance process for biotech projects, handled by the Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS)
• The Karnataka Biotechnology Council will maintain a complete database on patents in order to promote IPR and to help entrepreneurs protect IPR,
• Providing financial incentives and concessions under the Karnataka Industrial Policy
• Setting up of a bio-venture corpus fund worth rupees 50 crores with funding from the state government and professional venture capitalist firms
• Providing concession packages for mega biotech projects
• Establishing biotech parks across various parts of the state
• Bringing research labs under the umbrella of green category
• Encouraging Biotechnology (BT) finishing schools to help students acquire the skills needed to get employment in the biotech sector
• Encouraging the development of bioinformatics in Karnataka

Investment opportunities for biotechnology in Karnataka

Some of the factors that highlight Karnataka as an investment destination for biotechnology are:

• Concession in stamp duty and waiver of entry taxes
• Subsidy for promotion of investments and exemption of conversion fine
• No-interest loan on VAT
• Subsidy for anchor units and interests
• Concession in patent registration charges
• Specialized SEZs focused on biotechnology
• A comprehensive policy framework for biotechnology that offers a wide platter of incentives and concessions for the biotech industry
• Availability of substantial resources and globally recognised research base
• Skilled human resource that matches the requirement of the biotech industry
• Strong educational infrastructure
• Biotech finishing schools to bridge the gap between the academia and the needs of the industry

Karnataka has the potential to make its mark in the global biotech sector. The coming years are expected to witness further growth of the biotechnology industry in the state due to the various factors mentioned above, including the support provided by the state government.

Some of the well-known companies Accelrys Inc. – (A subsidiary of Pharmacopeia),Alltech Biotechnology Pvt. Ltd. Etc