Science in India Newsletter

Index

S&T Policies:

 S&T Policies:

1. National Biotech Development Strategy

A Draft National Biotech Development Strategy has been prepared by the Department of Biotechnology, in consultation with various stake holders, concerned Ministries, NGOs and policy makers. The basic goal of the Biotechnology Strategy is to facilitate emergence of an ecosystem that promotes and sustains innovation.
The Draft Strategy is a comprehensive road map for addressing cross-cutting issues related to human resource development, infrastructure strengthening, promotion of industry and trade, setting up of biotech parks, regulatory mechanism, public awareness, and an action plan for specific sub-sectors.
Under the proposed strategy, the policy goal is to ensure a steady flow of young scientists and technologists in life science sector. An Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award has been instituted to nurture outstanding young scientists with innovative ideas and help them to pursue their research efforts.

(Press Release Indian Government 08.12.2006)              

                                                                                          

In a move to expand the scope of the Department of Biotechnology, its parent ministry (Ministry of S&T) is moving the Union Cabinet seeking approval to recast it as the Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology.
It is also looking to set up a life sciences and biotech commission, on the lines of the Space and Atomic Energy Commission. The draft has already been circulated among various ministries for their comments.
The draft note has cited the challenges of the global intellectual property regime, the need for seamless flow of knowledge and effective interaction between several stakeholders as reasons for the recast.
The recast department would take over the budget of the biotechnology department, which is Rs 521 crore (89 Mio Euro) for this financial year. It has been estimated that the fund requirement would be roughly Rs 1,500 crore (258 Mio Euro) for the annual plan 2007-08.
The commission, with 10 members, will have all government powers — administrative and financial — for carrying out the work of the restructured department.
Forging international collaborations and creating research support for small enterprises will be another of its principal objectives, states the draft. Depending on the date of the Cabinet approval, the ministry has estimated a timeline of three months for setting up the new structure.
 
(Business Standard, 21.11.2006)      

                                                                                        

An agreement was signed on 21.11.2006 in Paris on the establishment of ITER (International Thermo-nuclear Experimental Reactor) for the joint implementation of the ITER project. The signatories are the seven parties of the ITER i.e. China, European Union, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States of America. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of India said that fusion has the potential to provide abundant and clean energy based on resources available everywhere without significant ecological issues associated with mining of earth’s resources.

(Press Release Indian Government, 21.11.2006)
  

The Indian domestic pharma market, which consistently grew at 9.5 percent CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) in the last five years, is supposed to accelerate at 13.6 percent between 2006–2010 to touch the market size of $9.48 billion by 2010 from present level of little over $ 5.7 billion, according to a paper published by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and Cygnus.

The Indian market started to attract a number of foreign players with the implementation of product patent in January 2005. On clinical trials, the paper comments that in 2005, the industry for clinical trials in India was $100 million. This market is growing at an accelerated pace. India offers advantages in the clinical trials domain such as cost advantage compared to Western countries.

(BioSpectrum, 13.11.2006, http://www.assocham.org/prels/shownews.php?id=788) 

                                                                                          

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for modernization and restructuring of patent offices at a revised cost of Rs 137 crore (23 Mio Euro). The modernized patent offices would be able to provide efficient services to scientific and industrial communities and would encourage creative and innovative activities thus leading to industrial and technological development. The patent offices are located in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai.

(BioSpectrum, December 2006)                 

                                                                                          

The Government is embarking on plans for launching a Nano Science and Technology Mission with estimated public investment of Rs. 1000 crore (172 Mio Euro) over the next five years to further intensify its promotional efforts in this area. It is planned to launch a variety of educational programmes, R&D programmes, establish centres of excellence, promote institution-industry linked projects through increased public private partnerships, promoting entrepreneurship through establishment of business incubators, etc.
Various Ministries of Government of India such as the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have been supporting R&D in Nano Science and Technology. DST launched a special Nano Science and Technology Initiative (NSTI) in October, 2001. The NSTI has been focusing on R&D in nanoscience and technology in a comprehensive manner so that India can become a significant player in the area and contribute to the development of new technologies besides carrying out basic research at the frontier of knowledge.

(Press Release Indian Government, 18.12.2006)                        

                                                                                          

 Research:

7. Indian stem cell research takes human leap

Clinical trials on humans are set to start in February 2007. Stempeutics, a stem cell company will conduct trials in the areas of myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury and limb ischemia.
"We have finished a pilot study in these areas and have found the results to be very good." said Dr Satish Totey, chief scientific officer, Stempeutics.
The one-year-old company is accredited by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and has its facilities based at Manipal Hospital, Bangalore. The trials will take place in five hospitals across the country and will be completed in one year.
"We are following the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) guidelines for the pre-clinical studies. We will submit our data to the Indian Council of Medical Research and Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) after the trails in Stage I and II. Once the drugs are ready, we wish to provide them in an injectable form at a very affordable price. We are planning to set up a facility in Bangalore where we can produce these stem cells and provide them to 300 tertiary hospitals once it is approved,'' said Dr Totey.
While research on the use of stem cell for other diseases - such as osteoporosis, multiple-syrosis, diabetes, stroke, Parkinson's, breast cancer and some cardiac related problems - is already on, clinical trials for these will happen at a later stage. International collaborations too may be required for some of these trials.
Dr Totey said that human embryonic stem cells will also soon be available in India for research and the research project at Stempeutics will be funded by the Centre's Department of Biotechnology.

(Indian Express, 26.11.2006)

                                                                                          

The rapid progress by India in order to emerge as a significant player in the global biotech arena is drawing global attention. It caught the attention of French biotech billionaire Alain Merieux when his vaccine behemoth Merieux Alliance (2005 turnover: 1.128 billion Euros) acquired a majority stake in Hyderabad-based bio-pharmaceuticals company Shantha Biotechnics.
In association with Shantha Biotechnics, the European company aims to develop a global strategy for managing the infectious diseases segment. Specifically, it will have access to the Indian company’s indigenous proprietary R&D and a branded product base in recombinants.
Other players like Serum Institute of India, Panacea Biotec, Indian Immunologicals, Aventis Pharma and GlaxoSmith Kline, are fast making a strong global presence. “For the first time in the vaccine segment, we are working on a human papilloma virus (HPV), which is being developed indigenously. We have got strains from the US-based National Institute of Health (NIH).”, says Varaprasad Reddy, MD, Shantha Biotechnics.

Also Bharat Biotech has tied up with the UK-based Acambis for a single dose of encephalitis.
There is also an agreement with the Nasdaq-listed Novavax to develop pandemic influenza vaccine for India and other ASEAN markets. Given the prevailing trend, vaccines are perhaps the most important area for the Indian biotech industry. According to industry estimates, the Indian vaccines market was worth Rs 1,800 crore (310 Mio Euro) in 2005-06, and the human vaccines segment is the fastest growing segment in this sector. The major share of the revenue is generated through exports, accounting for almost 53%. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation provides financial assistance and support for development of vaccines like Malaria, HPV, Hepatitis B and Pneumococcus. They are also keen to see development of vaccines against diseases like TB and HIV. In fact, ICMR in India is already supporting development of 2 types of vaccines for HIV/AIDS- one undergoing clinical trials in Chennai and another one at National Aids Research Institute (NARI), Pune.

In India, new generation vaccines at various stages of development include Anthrax, HPV, HIV, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria, Cholera, Rotavirus, HIB meningitis, and improved versions of TB vaccine. These are being developed in close cooperation with leading research institutes like the National Institute of Cholera & Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, National Institute of Immunology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, among others.
There are about 14 recombinant therapeutics that have obtained market approval in India. Of these products, seven are indigenously manufactured in India. Prominent products in this segment include the recombinant human insulin, recombinant human erythropoietin, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, interferon-alpha and interferon-beta, human growth hormone, human follicle stimulating hormone, recombinant streptokinase, and others.
A Frost and Sullivan report says that the global vaccines market is forecast to grow at 10.5% CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) from 2005 to 2012. And, emerging economies like India, China and Brazil are poised to lead the growth beyond 2008, with reforms in their healthcare infrastructure.

(The Financial Express, 27.11.2006)                                            
 

For infectious diseases, the current treatment is pathogen-targeted. Using Leishmania infection as a model, a team of researchers led by Dr. Bhaskar Saha at the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune has observed that immune response is not a steady-state phenomenon rather it appears in phases which are regulated with the changing load of the persistent antigen and the immune response at each phase influencing the following phase. Therefore, the treatment should be in a phase-specific manner. The findings establish kinetic modulation of ongoing immune responses as a principle of a rational, phase-specific Immunotherapy which can also be applied to the modulation of other infections and non-infectious diseases. The findings have been accepted for publication in the forthcoming issue of Journal of Immunology.

(Biotech News, Department of Biotechnology, October 2006)                                                                               
                                                                                           
 

The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, has successfully licensed five US patents on anti-cancer agents to Indus Biotech (USA) for upfront payment of Rs 43 lakh (74.140 Euro). Promoted by non-resident Indians, the Indus Biotech will also pay $3.50 lakh (265.000 Euro) towards milestone payments and royalty at 3% on net sales. If the sales cross $30 million, IICT will get a 10% royalty. IICT won the best patent award from Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) for development of anti-cancer agents and now the institute is successfully selling the patents. Last year IICT filed for 113 patents – 29 in India and 84 abroad. It was granted 64 patents – 31 Indian and 33 foreign. Its scientists published 447 papers in recognized journals making it the best among the chemical science institutes of CSIR.

(CSIR News, 30.10.2006)                          

                                                                                          

India-based Jubilant Organosys Ltd inaugurated its integrated drug discovery services facility in Bangalore, India. Spread over an area of approximately 125,000 square feet, the centre houses over 500 Indian scientists specializing in multiple disciplines including biology, chemistry, structural biology, pharmacology, molecular modelling, crystallography and information technology, collaborating with their global counterparts in Europe, USA and Japan.
The facility contains modern and sophisticated capabilities in molecular modelling, protein crystallography, medicinal chemistry, and in vitro/in vivo biology capabilities. It focuses on collaborative development of novel molecules of interest that have potential therapeutic use to treat diseases in the areas of cancer, metabolic disorders (diabetes, obesity, cardio vascular diseases), tuberculosis and HIV. The discovery research includes design of modulators for specific sub-clause of kinases, proteases and G-Protein coupled receptor targets. Jubilant Organosys’ Chairman and Managing Director Mr Shyam S Bhartia stated that the centre would engage with Indian and global academia and pharmaceutical firms to make innovative drugs. 

(BioSpectrum, December 2006)                     
                         
                                                                                         

 Academic Exchange/ Education:

12. DAE to set up NISER in Orissa

Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is in the process of establishing National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) at Bhubaneshwar in Orissa. The Institute will help in preparing students at grade 12 level to become proficient in experimental skills as they learn core science subjects and become capable of pursuing scientific research focused to meet the national objectives, Atomic Energy Commission, Chairman, Anil Kakodkar announced in Mumbai. A DAE-University of Mumbai centre of excellence will be established in Mumbai. DAE has also created a mechanism of Perspective Research Fund (PRF) to encourage ideabased research in support of nuclear programmes, Kakodkar said.

(PTI Science Service, 16.-30.11.2006)

                                                                                          
 

India can become a global in-bound market for higher education if certain barriers are removed and education acquires a brand image like software services, says an official of McKinsey and company.

"There are several reasons why India can compete globally in the higher education market. If we remove the barriers, it is possible to attract over 150,000 foreign students to study in Indian institutions by 2010," said Gautam Kumra of McKinsey. The quality of education in the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) was as good as that available anywhere else in the world, he added. For instance, of the 7,500 employees of McKinsey and Company globally, IIT alumni formed the single largest group, he said. The other advantages offered by India, so far as foreign students were concerned, were the English language skills of the people and the low cost of living, he said.

India has 259 institutions, over 10,750 colleges, eight million students and 400,000 teachers in one of the world's largest higher education systems. The number of universities in India rose from 178 in 1997 to 256 in 2001. The growth has resulted from the participation of the private sector in education. The market size of management education in India is estimated to be around $300 million.

(Indo-Asian News service)

                                                                                          
 

There has been a significant rise in the number of students appearing for Common Admission Test (CAT) seeking admissions to the various top management institutes this year. Over 190.000 students across the country had appeared for the CAT exams held across 23 cities in India on November 19th, 2006. Delhi itself had a rise of 50,000 students this year.

(My-India.net, 19.11.2006)

                                                                                           
 

Engineering colleges have a severe shortage of faculty staff, doctorates and post-graduates, said Palle Rama Rao, former secretary to the Department of Science and Technology, speaking at the Indian Academy of Sciences' annual meeting in Indore, Madhya Pradesh (10-12.11.2006).
Despite a five-fold increase in the number of engineering colleges in the past six years, high-quality colleges account for less than one per cent of them, said Rao.
India produces about 500,000 engineering graduates each year, but only 800 PhDs in engineering.
Even the much acclaimed Indian Institutes of Technology have recorded a much lower number of PhDs per faculty compared to advanced countries.
While new technologies such as information technology, biotechnology and nanotechnology are witnessing an influx of new courses, the older ones - in manufacturing, aviation and microelectronics — present a dismal picture, with no new courses or research centres, said Rao.

(SciDev.Net, 15.11.2006)

                                                                                          
 

The last decade of software services and telecom successes in India has invited the envy of countries like China, Russia and Brazil. But the good news is that the country's leadership does not end here.

In the next 10 years, India will have a surplus of 47 million people in the productive age group vis-à-vis a shortage of about 50 million such workers in the developed world. This demographic edge will certainly give India a handle to hold the world to its advantage, according to the consensus that emerged at a panel discussion on IT and Telecommunication, held at the World Economic Forum being held in New Delhi in November. "The salary of a fresh engineer in India is about $8,000 while in the US it is between $45,000 and $55,000. Even with a 12-14 per cent salary escalation in India vis-à-vis the 4 per cent in the US, it will take it more than a decade to deplete our cost advantage as a software and services destination," he added.

With Infosys, TCS and Wipro making it to the Top 10 global services companies on market capitalisation, Indian companies are becoming strong contenders for the top five slots. "Everybody wants to catch up with India because of its IT expertise. The breakthrough for India will come when the access issue is addressed by making broadband connectivity as easy as electricity and water connections," said BT International (UK) President Francois Barrault.

(Hindustan Times, 28.11.2006)

                                                                                          
 

 Miscellaneous:
 

17. Dr. V. Prakash next Director General of CSIR

Dr. V. Prakash, Director, Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, will assume charge as Director General of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and Secretary, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), from 1 January 2007, when Dr. R.A. Mashelkar will relinquish his office.
Dr. Prakash is internationally recognized for his research contributions in the area of Structural biology & Physical biochemistry of proteins and enzymes. Amongst the many awards he has received for his contributions, the most important ones are the Shanti Swarup Bhatanagar Prize in the field of Biological Sciences and the Karnataka Rajyothsava Award both in 1996 and the FICCI Award 2001. The President of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2004 in recognition of his outstanding service to the nation in the field of Science and Engineering.

(CSIR Press Release, 29.11.2006)

                                                                                           
 

At a national consultative meeting convened in Bangalore in November by the Indian Space Research Organisation to "crystallise and converge" the issue, participants "overwhelmingly and very positively" supported the proposal, ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said. ISRO is in a position to undertake the manned mission in eight years. Nair said the estimated cost of such a mission would be in the region of Rs 10,000 crore ( 1,7 Billion Euro). He had made a presentation last month on the space department to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who suggested a national team of scientists look into the manned mission issue. The meeting was a result of suggestion.

(PTI Science Service, 16.-30.11.2006)

                                                                                           
 

The CSIR Centre for Mathematical Modelling & Computer Simulation (CMMACS), Bangalore, has signed an MoU with Indian Air Force (IAF), for setting up meteorological observational towers at IAF sites in and around Delhi. The MoU was signed by Dr. Gangan Prathap, Scientist-in-Charge, CMMACS and Air Vice Marshall Dr Ajit Tyagi, VSM, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Meteorology) in the presence of Dr R.A. Mashelkar, FRS, Director General, CSIR.
CSIR has initiated a comprehensive programme to develop a multi-scale environmental modelling and forecast platform specially calibrated for India with special concern towards high-impact weather events like episodes of extreme rainfall and fog. As a part of this programme, CSIR has christened the forecast platform to emphasize forecast based vision to manage fog. The fog forecast platform developed and calibrated at CMMACS has a built-in Flight Schedule Decision Support System that allows flight rescheduling based on fog forecast and management parameters. This is India's first and only Flight Schedule Decision Support System with high-resolution, long-range dynamical forecasts, developed completely in-house.

(CSIR News, 15.11.2006)

                                                                                           
 

The Tata Sons-promoted Advinus Therapeutics (P) Ltd has entered into a drug discovery and clinical development collaboration with Merck Inc to jointly develop drugs for metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity. Advinus and Merck will work together to develop clinically validated `drug candidates' for metabolic disorders. Merck will retain the right to advance the most promising of these candidates into late-stage clinical trials.
"This collaboration provides an avenue for Advinus to gain access to cutting edge technologies from Merck while leveraging its India-based discovery and development capabilities," said Dr Barbhaiya, CEO and Managing Director, Advinus. "Merck is looking forward to establishing its first research-based collaboration in India," said Dr Merv Turner, Senior Vice-President (Worldwide Licensing and External Research) of Merck. Advinus has R&D centres at Pune and Bangalore. The company is planning to triple its manpower strength at the Pune facility, which currently employs 65 people, over the next three years.

(Biospectrum, July 2006)

                                                                                          

This newsletter has been prepared by the Science Section of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, New Delhi. Texts of articles from science magazines and newspapers have been edited for their length and are partly based on information from the Embassy. No responsibility for the content of the articles is accepted.