We can use a number of definitions those are used to identify or define Biotechnology, among those a few are; (i) any technological application that uses Biological systems of living organisms or their derivatives thereof to make or modify products or process for specific uses; (ii) application of scientific and technical advances to develop commercial products; and (iii) Biotechnology covers all fields of biosciences for development of products leading to industrial utilization. Thus, “Biotechnology Incubator” is a space that provides support for a newborn idea to get matured through space, knowledge/skills, and funds. As the fields of biotechnology are wide open and advancing, it requires highly advanced equipment, updated knowledge and skills to test the expected results. Hence there is a need for incubation.
Sid Martin Biotech of the University of Florida, USA is such an incubator, which supports a wide range of companies including, clean tech, diagnostics, therapeutic drug delivery, genomic, bio-medical device, agbio, biofuels, and others. It supports both in-house for companies and also out-houses. In India, a good number of such incubators are working in different states, a few of those are in (i) Guwahati, (ii) Bangalore, (iii) Chennai, (iv) Lucknow, (v) Hyderabad and (vi) one specialized for Biotechnology Core instrumentation facilities in Chennai. Except one in Chennai all are open to both male and female stakeholders and supports herbal cosmetics, bio-pesticides, biofertilizer, spice fortified with herbs, etc. The one established in Hongkong in 1966 provides supports for clinical grade biopharmaceuticals, downstream processing equipment, protein purification, etc. on a pay-per-use basis. While the Swedish one (UBI) promotes growth through pre-seed financing, project management, and IPR services. The Belgian one at Leuven established in 2008 supports space for labs and office and there is a high growth of this support system. The Genopole at Evry, France of 1998 supports startups with applications in all branches of biotechnology. The Bio City of UK and Bio City of Leipzig are highly successful incubators in those countries to help newcomers to establish industries of their choice with supports from incubators of their countries.
In Bangladesh, in order to support researchers, startup entrepreneurs and bio-based companies, the honorable Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the National Taskforce on Biotechnology in Bangladesh has given directions to establish Biotechnology Incubators. The aim is to undertake R&D activities on Biotechnology for products at the users’ level through industrial process. So, the NIB has decided to discuss with experts and finally submitted the project for establishment of the incubator. From the participants’ opinion in the seminar on 25th February 2018, it appeared that to start immediately, the NIB should map up the capacity of a number of Universities and Institutes already working in this field in relation to programs, equipment and manpower. Then a list of prioritized program areas can be identified in collaboration with private partners. It then can act as the Coordinating Central Incubator and designate specific Universities on merits of availability of support system and manpower to act as regional incubators. This approach will be cost-effective, positive for faster development of manpower and encourage region-specific industry development. The Central one will, in fact, be developed for the program areas not possible to perform at regional sites. Another major role of the central incubator should be to act on policy support for PPP provisions for equipment and chemicals availability along with IPR and quality control services of the industries to be involved in such industrial venture.
(Sources of information are websites Wikipedia and NIB Seminar)
Professor Lutfur Rahman
Advisor, ASRBC, ACI Agribusiness & Advisory Editor, Biolife
