(a) whether it is a fact that despite significant level of research in biotechnology in the country, there has been minimal commercial output from the laboratories;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to transfer of technologies from labs for commercial activities?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (SHRI BACHI SINGH RAWAT)
(a), (b) & (c) : Sustained efforts have been made by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science
and Technology, to identify research leads for conversion into products, processes, technologies leading to
commercialization. Biotechnology research has a long gestation period. Several steps including evaluation,
validation, upscaling of technologies and market survey are required before commercialization. During this
period, more than 46 biotech related technologies have been transferred to various industries. Some of the
diagnostics, vaccines and biofertiliser formulations have been launched in the market.
These technologies from laboratories are transferred to industries by various mechanisms through M/s
Biotech Consortium India Ltd., New Delhi and M/s National Research Development Corporation, New Delhi.
Either one to one interactions between industry and scientist or a group discussions are organized. The
industry after acquiring the technology, does require time to fine tune, package and obtain mandatory
regulatory clearances before launching the products in the market. Facilitating mechanisms, a patenting cell
and an e-commerce Website have been created by DBT to accelerate technology transfers. The process is a
continuing exercise.