The assumption that the Government favours industry is “laughable”, Biocon chairperson and managing director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said and added that if anything, it is “disadvantaging” the sector.
“In fact companies are being driven out of India because of these external factors,” she told a press conference here on Thursday to announce Bangalore Bio 2012. “The industry needs clarity from regulators and the government. There is uncertainty about what companies are supposed to do,” she said.
The agri-biotech sector is a particularly challenged section in terms of government support, she said, referring to the hurdles companies face while developing genetically modified products.
Ms. Shaw, who is the chairperson of Karnataka's Vision Group on Biotechnology, said that there was considerable misinformation about subjects such as clinical trials and ethical drug testing. Media reports of trial-related deaths do not capture the reality, she said. “Most complaints over clinical trials come from people trying to extort money from trial companies,” she said.
Clinical trials are highly regulated and go through a long-drawn procedure of approvals, she said. “They are based on ethics and transparency. People aren't pulled off the streets and tested,” she said.
Bangalore Bio 2012 will be held between February 6 and February 8. It and will focus on the theme, “India the emerging bio-economy”. Biotechnology has an important role to play in addressing the spiralling cost of food, health care and fuel, Ms. Shaw said.
