Gujarat Scenario

As per the survey conducted in 2004-05, 40 biotechnology companies had their presence in Gujarat. In last two years many new companies have started their operations in Biotechnology area. Presently around 116 companies are active in this field. There are 53 in Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare biotechnology, 47 Agriculture Biotechnology, 9 Industrial Biotechnology, 1 in Bio-informatics and 3 in Environmental Biotechnology. Main companies include are US based, Stemcyte corporation, which is into stem cell research and cord blood banking facilities, Mumbai Based Zytex Biotech Pvt. Ltd., MJ BioPharma, Hyderabad Based NUSUN Agri-genetics, Bills Biotech Pvt. Ltd., BDR BioPharma Pvt. Ltd. etc.

The sector has also seen active entrepreneurship spirit and many start up companies have come up. They are Aumgeen Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Augene Pvt. Ltd., Maxeema Biotech, Eco- Microbial Technologies, Agriland Biotech Ltd., Prasad Biotech Pvt. Ltd, Aum enzymes Pvt. Ltd., Yeast Alco Enzymes Pvt. Ltd., Aura Herbal Pvt. Ltd.

Figure-1. Sectoral Breakup of Biotechnology Companies in Gujarat

Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Biotechnology, Agriculture Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology and Environmental Biotechnology are the emerging and potential biosegments in the state

Health care biotechnology in Gujarat is represented by the Major companies like Cadila Pharmaceuticals, Zydus Cadila, Concord Biotech, Sterling Biotech, Intas, Ambalal Sarabhai Ltd., Claris Life Sciences, Quintiles Spectral, Span Diagnostics etc. The major healthcare Biotech Products of these companies are Penicillin-G, Vitamin –C, Insulin, Medical Diagnostic Kits, Immuno-suppressants, Rabies vaccine, Therapeutic Proteins, antidiabetic and anticancer drugs. Healthcare Biotech related Services, offered by these companies are, Contract Research Services, Clinical Research Services, Bio-safety Studies, Process Development, Formulation Development

Agriculture biotechnology in Gujarat is represented by Major companies like GSFC, GNFC, Sarita Ganga Farms, Solar Agro Tech, Nusun Agri Genetics, Cadila Pharma- Agro Divison, Excel Cropcare, Bayer Crop care, Sun-Agrigenetics, Gujarat Life Sciences, Jai Research Foundation etc. The major agriculture Biotech Products of these companies are Tissue Cultured Plants, Biofertilizers, Biopesticides, Agrochemicals and GM Crops. The major agriculture Biotech services of these companies are Tissue Culture Consultancy, Horticulture Consultancy, Detection of GM Foods.

The Animal biotechnology in Gujarat is represented by Major companies like Hester Biosciences Ltd., Ambalal Sarabhai Ltd., AMUL, Cadila Pharma etc. The Major animal Biotechnology Products of these companies are Poultry Vaccines, Animal Vaccines and Diagnostic Kits etc. The Major animal Biotechnology services of these companies are Seromonitoring services, Animal health and breeding services

The Industrial biotechnology in Gujarat is represented by Major companies like Maps (India) Ltd., Anil Biochem, Americos, Aum Biochemicals, Meteoric Lifesciences, Microgenix Pvt. Ltd., Yeast Alco Enzymes Ltd. etc. The Major industrial Bioetchnology Products of these companies, are, Sodium Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, α-amylase, Amylo glucosidase, Protease, Xylanase, Cellulase

The strong convergence of traditional Pharma, chemical, textile and agriculture industries towards Biotechnology, is leading to gradual expansion of Biotechnology sector in Gujarat, both in terms of number of companies and investment. Existing Biotech units in Gujarat have undertaken an expansion of more than Rs 300 crores in last 2 years. More companies are diversifying into Biotechnology field through expansion plans.

Three companies from Gujarat, (Concord Biotech – Revenue Rs. 60 Crores, Intas Biopharma – Revenues Rs. 50 Crores and Hester Biosciences – Revenue Rs. 32.24 Crores), figures amongst the top Biotechnology Companies from Gujarat.

Realizing the opportunities offered, by these new sunrise technologies, the state of Gujarat has set itself a new strategic goal for the next decade: To become the globally competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy.