Focus on research, biotech firms told

Noble laureate Richard J Roberts has urged the biotechnology community to do increased research work. Starting as a small company without taking the help of any investor but still doing focused research to generate revenue is a good approach for start-ups in biotechnology, he observed.

Stating there is a huge opportunity to focus on areas that humanity needs most, he said key thrust areas in the sector are — GM foods, bio-energy, stem cell research, synthetic biology and personalised medicine.

Secretary, Department of Health Research, Government of India, & Director General, Indian Council for Medical Research V M Katoch, said “proactive bureaucracy and committed political will made Bangalore a bio-tech hub of India. He called upon bio-tech companies to work on antiviral drugs and accelerate inventing tools to detect viruses and infections.