Molecular nutrition research lab to be set up at ICICI Park

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, MAY 23. A laboratory to research agri-materials and molecular nutrition for general health and medical benefits will be set up at the ICICI Knowledge Park under a lease deed signed by the Park authorities with Bijam Biosciences Limited. Dr. V.V. Subba Rao, acting CEO and principal scientific advisor, ICICI Knowledge Park, and Mr. Rahul Raju, CEO, Bijam Biosciences Limited, signed the lease deeds here on May 17, according to their press release. The lease is initially for three years.

The proposed laboratory would focus on biochemical studies, molecular biology techniques, immunological studies for health benefits, plant and animal cell tissue culture studies and bio- informatics among others. The proposal envisages a core team of about 25 experienced scientists to carry on this research.

This is the third lease signed by the Park authorities. Medicorp Technologies India Limited, which is engaged in pharmaceutical research and development, and Pulsar Electro-Optics Limited, which is engaged in the development of new materials and devices, are already based at the ICICI Knowledge Park. Another biotechnology firm, MedGene Biotech Pvt. Limited, is also expected to sign a lease for establishing a modern biotech laboratory in the Park in the next six weeks.

The ICICI Knowledge Park was set up jointly by ICICI Limited and the Andhra Pradesh Government over 200 acres on the outskirts of Hyderabad at Turkapally. The Park offers modern infrastructure and a range of business and administrative support services for its tenants to enable them to carry out business-driven intensive research in core areas of pharmaceuticals, information technology, biotechnology and new materials.

The Park focuses on being a `research facilitator' for its tenants. It has also decided to organise seminars and conferences on areas of interest to its tenants. It organised a seminar on `R&D Alliances for Global Competitiveness' and is planning an international conference on biotechnology in October this year. The Park has been licensed under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, and is approved by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India for the benefit of Customs duty exemption and Excise duty waiver. The Government has also issued a public notice for speedy clearance of perishable and refrigerated goods addressed to the tenants of the Park.

The Knowledge Park concept has become popular as a means to setting up research units and many new enquiries from both domestic and multinational companies are being received. With low rents and comprehensive support provided by the Park, the cost of setting up and running the unit is proving highly economical, compared to similar facilities in other places of Hyderabad. Park officials, in their press release, have expressed confidence about filling up the remaining laboratory units by the end of this year and beginning the second phase of constructing new laboratory units early next year.

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