Government initiatives: Budgetary allocations to the biotechnology sector have more than trebled from $150 million in 1987-88 to $500 million in the fiscal year 2002-2003. Further, the union budget has been offering fiscal incentives to promote private sector efforts in biotech R&D, the most noteworthy being the provision of a 150 percent tax-deducation for R&D spending on biotechnology in FY 2002.
Specific concerns : There are several factors that can act as an impediment to the expected growth in this sector. M. Divesh (MD, Emellen Biotech) says that the following are the roadblocks that fack this sector:
Inadequate funding for SMEs (Small & Medium Enterprises) : Although the government of India has allocatedfunds to this sector, it should develop some mechanism to ensure that adequate funding reaches SMEs and is not all lapped up by large companies.
Unaccommodating policy environment : An important impediment that enterprises in this sector face is the inadequate and bureaucratic policy environment. The National Biotech Policy should improve the situation but what remains to be seen is exactly how the policy is implemented and whether it sets definite time frames for various approvals.
The Future--
In a nutshell, with serious R&D work, adequate funding and an opportune breakthrough, any of the present biotech companies could become the In fosys of the future. A distinct advantage of these biotechnologically derived proteins over proteins from natural sources is enhanced purity. Hepatitis B virus and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are capable of contaminating proteins and enzymes from human plasma. Products derived from recombinant technology will not have coextracted contaminants.
Advantage
- Enhanced purity
· Products derived from recombinant technology will not have coextracted contaminants.
· Monoclonel antibodies have been used in home tests for confirmation of pregnancy (or) predicting ovulation.
· Development of artificial genes have been made possible.
· The therapy with biotechnologica products will eventually supplement chemotherapy for many malignancies.
· Biotechnology allows significant reduction of risks of contamination through infectious pathogen.
Disadvantages
- Time consuming
· Expensive
· Skilled labourare required Results achieved are not upto the mark
Future of Biotechnology
The future will also see the creation of more products for "inhome" testing. Monoclonal antibody-based diagnostic tests that are now restricted to physician use are under development for home testing. These include products for infectious disease processes (eg., AIDS, chlamydia trachomatis, streptococcal throat infections). In addition, it is anticipated that monoclonal antibody-based tests will also be available to assay blood /plasma concentrations of a number of drugs (e.g., digoxin,phenytoin, theophylline).To date, monoclonal antibodies have been used in home tests for confirmation of pregnancy (or) predicting ovulation. The self-test kit will enable a woman to monitor urine levels of pregnanediol to determine when fertilization is possible. A woman could then avoid intercourse during her fertile period and prevent the occurrence of pregnancy.
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| Posted : 10/26/2005 |
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