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Two Hyderabads, One Gene: The Indian Express
Hyderabad, Apr 22: Two nations, but a common gene pool? That may not be the agenda of a new India-Pakistan collaboration in biotechnology but researchers in Hyderabad, Deccan, may soon be doing genetic research with colleagues in Hyderabad, Sind!
Hyderabad, Apr 22: Two nations, but a common gene pool? That may not be the agenda of a new India-Pakistan collaboration in biotechnology but researchers in Hyderabad, Deccan, may soon be doing genetic research with colleagues in Hyderabad, Sind!
Three biotech companies from Hyderabad have signed MoUs with the Pakistani biotech industry for supply of vaccines and biopharmaceuticals besides offering training at the wet laboratories through innovative biotech modules. Further, to strengthen the cooperation, the All-India Biotech Association (AIBA) has signed an MoU with the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), Islamabad, Pakistan, to exchange scientific information and foster partnership between biotech companies.
While Biological E and Transgene Biotek have signed MoUs with leading Pakistani biotech company AMSON Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Magene Life Sciences has partnered with the National Commission of Biotechnology (NCB), Pakistan, for providing hands-on-experience at the wet laboratories for Pakistani scientists.
According to Dr Gita Sharma, chief scientific officer of Magene Life Sciences, the MoU with NCB will help bolster the relationship and in due course, scientists and college lecturers will undergo training as a continuous programme for understanding the biotechnology industry trends. Says Dr K Koteswara Rao, CMD of Transgene Biotek: “There is a lot of potential for our company to expand in the Pakistani market. With the proposed launch of meningitis vaccine and therapeutic proteins by the company, this is the untapped market which we are planning to cash in on.”
At the recently-held BioAsia 2004 here, representatives of both AIBA and COMSTECH signed an MoU to promote science as a profession and promote collaborations between academia and industry in both the countries, Dr BS Bajaj, chairman of the AIBA-Souther Chapter told FE.
On behalf of AIBA, New Delhi, the AIBA-Southern Chapter headquartered in Hyderabad, has signed MoUs besides arranging meetings with biotech associations, he added.
Both the countries have agreed to exchange scientific literature and relevant general information on the development of biotechnology between AIBA and biotech associations in Pakistan. As part of this partnership building exercise, a Federation of Asian Biotech Association (FABA) is being formed and headquartered in Hyderabad, India. The association, proposed to be launched in June at the Biotechnology 2004 conference to be held in Kuala Lumpur, will have Dr Anwar Naseem, a Pakistani national as founder president. He is at present adviser - science, COMSTECH Secretariat, and chairman of National Commision of Biotechnology, Pakistan.
About eight Asian member countries have already signed to become members of FABA managing committee and will be registered under the Indian Societies Act.
While Biological E and Transgene Biotek have signed MoUs with leading Pakistani biotech company AMSON Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Magene Life Sciences has partnered with the National Commission of Biotechnology (NCB), Pakistan, for providing hands-on-experience at the wet laboratories for Pakistani scientists.
According to Dr Gita Sharma, chief scientific officer of Magene Life Sciences, the MoU with NCB will help bolster the relationship and in due course, scientists and college lecturers will undergo training as a continuous programme for understanding the biotechnology industry trends. Says Dr K Koteswara Rao, CMD of Transgene Biotek: “There is a lot of potential for our company to expand in the Pakistani market. With the proposed launch of meningitis vaccine and therapeutic proteins by the company, this is the untapped market which we are planning to cash in on.”
At the recently-held BioAsia 2004 here, representatives of both AIBA and COMSTECH signed an MoU to promote science as a profession and promote collaborations between academia and industry in both the countries, Dr BS Bajaj, chairman of the AIBA-Souther Chapter told FE.
On behalf of AIBA, New Delhi, the AIBA-Southern Chapter headquartered in Hyderabad, has signed MoUs besides arranging meetings with biotech associations, he added.
Both the countries have agreed to exchange scientific literature and relevant general information on the development of biotechnology between AIBA and biotech associations in Pakistan. As part of this partnership building exercise, a Federation of Asian Biotech Association (FABA) is being formed and headquartered in Hyderabad, India. The association, proposed to be launched in June at the Biotechnology 2004 conference to be held in Kuala Lumpur, will have Dr Anwar Naseem, a Pakistani national as founder president. He is at present adviser - science, COMSTECH Secretariat, and chairman of National Commision of Biotechnology, Pakistan.
About eight Asian member countries have already signed to become members of FABA managing committee and will be registered under the Indian Societies Act.