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The Indian Pharmaceutical Industry is a very mature industry but pretty much focused on internal market rather than the world market (View Comments)
Ankita Shreeram
Posted On Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 07:12:50 PM
Sanjeev Saxena, CEO, Actis Biologics Pvt. Ltd. gives a lowdown on the biotechnology industry
1) Where does India’s biotechnology industry stand today?
The Indian Pharmaceutical Industry is a very mature industry but pretty much focused on internal market rather than the world market. However, like every other country, the Pharmaceutical Industry is now starting to transcend the lines and enter the Biotech market as well. However, India is very nascent in the biotech field and is today and outsourcing destination for the Biotech healthcare segment. We are at least 10 to 15 years behind our western counterparts. However, we are using their money by doing KPO work for them, to create the required infrastructure, be it human resources or GMP facilities or Patent guidelines or the regulatory framework.
2) What kinds of opportunities are available in this sector?
The general population, i.e. the patients are looking for non toxic cure for their health related problems and hence we saw the advent of the Biotech segment. With this new industry of Biotech, comes about new opportunities in the field of biologically derived drugs, which are more in line with the proteins and enzymes already in our body. Also, opportunities arise in understanding the cell signalling mechanism and how the body works at the genetic level. Hence, creating opportunities in Genomics, proteomics, Monoclonal Antibodies, Recombinant proteins, Antisense, Stem cell therapy, Gene Therapy. It also brings about opportunities for equipment and instruments which do not let us harness the power of Biotech today to the fullest extent. It creates opportunities today in providing clinical trial service opportunity or drug discovery or drug development or scale-up or manufacturing on an out sourcing basis for the US, Japanese and European companies.
3) How good are the growth prospects in this industry?
As said, this industry is at its infancy and hence has a lot to grow. The low hanging fruits include the outsourcing business and the Biosimilars industry.
4) What are the qualifications and skills that one must possess for a career in biotechnology?
A master’s degree is a must in pharmaceutical sciences or in Biotechnology. Also, a hands-on working knowledge of instruments and some basic research skills are a must.
5) What are some of the benefits and challenges of working in this industry.
In the pharmaceuticals industry, there are too many companies and so the question is who do you go to work for. However, in the Biotech Industry, there are very few companies. Having said that, the skill sets the students have is very low. However, the key issue faced by the Biotech Industry is investment. The key challenge faced by the Indian Biotech companies and also other global Biotech companies doing drug discovery is the shortage of financiers who are willing to take the plunge.
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