The story
Bengaluru's research institutions, such as the Indian Institute of Science and the National Centre for Biological Sciences, created a strong science base. Biocon, started in the city in 1978, grew into India's best-known biotech company and the first to list publicly. The state built biotech parks and a bio-incubator to support new firms. Karnataka is often called India's biotech capital.
In numbers
Karnataka has 200-plus biotech companies and contributes 26% of India's biotech revenues.
Karnataka State Industrial Profile 2015-16 (MSME-DI Bengaluru, DC-MSME) · 2016
Ways in for a newcomer
- Supply lab consumables, reagents and equipment servicing
- Run a plant tissue-culture lab for growers
- Offer regulatory and documentation services to biotech start-ups
- Start contract testing or herbal extraction services
Problems the cluster faces
- High capital needs and long product cycles
- Strict regulatory approvals
- Shortage of experienced scale-up staff
- Dependence on imported lab equipment