Advantage Kerala

01

Kerala - Hub of Life Science

Western Ghats, one of the thirty nine bio-diversity hotspots in the world, has recently featured among the UNESCO’s list of iconic World Heritage Sites for its rich biodiversity. Home to 137
species of mammals, 508 species of birds, 332 species of butterflies, 290 species of fishes, 10,035 species of flora of which 102 species are exclusively endemic to the region.

This majestic Western Ghats, also known as Sahyadri in local parlance; stretches across 1600 kms covering the states of Tamilnadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. About 500 kms of this rich biosphere is exclusively in Kerala, comprising of 56% of the total geographic area of the State.

It is fitting that a life sciences park of such superior scale and technological advancement should come up in Kerala. The State’s rich bio-diversity comprising of abundant flora and fauna has always fostered a thriving R & D culture, giving birth to many research institutions in agriculture, Ayurveda, medical sciences, bio-technology, fisheries, marine sciences and more.

Kerala is home to a vibrant and well educated people and the state has the highest ratio of
science graduates and technology professionals. The immense knowledge base concentrated in the R & D clusters near the Park as well as across Kerala will greatly enhance the Park’s efficiency as a single source R&D and knowledge centre for the industry.

02

Prevailing Life Sciences

    • Scientific innovations in Life Science / BioTech institutions, several products & technologies ready to find their way from lab to commercialisation
    • Presence of several Centres of Excellence and Knowledge Centres in Biotechnology
    • Biodiversity hotspots in Western Ghats
    • Leadership in herbal-based industries
    • Low cost instrumentation and medical software
    • Strong research base, in terms of trainable skilled human resource and educational infrastructure in Life Sciences
    • Rich Human Capital
      • About 20,000 students of life sciences passing out of Universities / Colleges of Kerala every year.
      • Nearly 1000 research scholars work on frontier technology areas in Life Sciences/ Biotechnology.
      • About 200 PhDs produced every year in the sector.
    • Advantages in terms of R&D facilities, knowledge, skills, and cost effectiveness, in the biotechnology industry
    • Kerala Government Agencies in support of Life Sciences
      1. Department of Industries
      2. Department of Science & Technology
        • Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment (KSCSTE)
        • Kerala Biotechnology Board (KBB)
        • Kerala Biotechnology Commission (KBC)
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Ecosystem in the state

    • Rich Bio Resources: Kerala is designated as one of the 34 biodiversity "Hotspots" in the world. It has a natural habitat for innumerable number of species. Kerala accounts for
      • 24% plant species
      • 30% animal species
      • 35% freshwater fish species of the country
      • 210 freshwater fish species
    • Reservoir of medicinal, flora and fauna : Kerala State is rich with natural resources in flora and fauna .It has got unique source of medicinal plants to produce ayurvedic potions which has enabled large number of business houses, health spas, clinics. Kerala accounts for:
      • 900 species of medicinal plants
      • 7667 species of flora
      • 1254 species of fauna
    • Strong In Healthcare & Traditional Medicine: Kerala spends more than 9% of the State's GDP on health. There are 961 primary health centers and 5408 sub centers. The number of hospital beds in Kerala is approx 1,25,000.
    • Emerging Education and Research Base: The R&D institutes in Kerala is largely Government driven. Research is mainly centered around healthcare and limited application in agri biotechnology. The Kerala Agricultural University and 18 colleges are offering biotechnology courses. There are 7 medical & Agro based biotechnology research institutes, 3 institutes are engaged in research in marine biotechnology.
    • Skilled Workforce & Human Capital: Kerala has got the highest ratio of PhDs to total population. It has the highest density of Science & Technology personnel. Kerala accounts for:
      • 20 Million people in the working age group of 15 ~ 59
      • 2.5 Million working abroad, 55% of which are in gulf region
      • Home to renowned national institutes – IIM, NIT, IIITM, IISER, IIST
      • High Human Development Index – Highest in India
04

Biotechnology/Medical Technology

    Biotechnology/Medical Technology
    • The three vital components under this sector envisaged for the facility are biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medical devices. Research and subsequent fruit yielding work on the same will see a chain of stages and levels in which the activities would be carried out. It would begin with core lab based research, taking into account various scientific processes and usage of relevant lab methods and technologies designated to be installed at the park. These activities would primarily be focused on the Innovation and Incubation Centre with inputs from the Bio-process facility wherever required on a case to case basis.However, for the end stage of the process/product development, the contribution from other park constituents such as the Animal Science Centre and Medical Technology Centre cannot be undermined. The components under the Animal Science Centre such as lab animal production unit, toxicological unit, translational research unit etc. would be of paramount importance in finalizing and testing the findings of research executed.
    Animal Health and Nutrition
    • Feed additives, Veterinary Biologicals and Animal Diagnostics are the vital pillars of the research proposed to be conducted under this sector. As with the Healthcare sector, the incubation and innovation center along with the bioprocess facility will be the cornerstone of the research activities here. The Food and AYUSH innovation center will be necessary in the later stages of the research for feed additives as the availability of pilot scale trials facility and product testing which are crucial to R&D and product development efforts within the food and nutraceutical industry are available here.For veterinary biologicals and animal diagnostics subsequent inputs from the medical technology facility and the animal science facility would be unquestionable importance as they would be necessary for conducting pre-clinical trials and related testing measures to get desired outcome of the research process.
    Food, Herbal and Traditional Medicine
    • Functional foods, traditional herbal medicinal science and nutraceuticals will be forming the crux of the research avenues proposed to be executed under this sector at this facility. The herbal products & traditional medicine sector is another promising sector for the park which is extensively correlated with the nutraceutical and functional food sector in terms of infrastructure requirements especially for downstream research. This center will leverage upon the synergy to draw herbal and traditional medicine ventures as well to the center.