Biocon setting up Biotech Training Institute in Bangalore

BANGALORE: Biocon said it is setting up an institute in Bangalore to train graduates in skills required for finding employment in the fast-growing biotechnology industry. Starting January 2014, the institute will offer a 16-week certificate-programme in partnership with California-based Keck Graduate Institute.

"There is a dearth of skilled expertise in this space, which inhibits our ability to innovate and work on deep domain experiments. Biocon Academy aims to bring world class training programs for biotech students in India through customised programs," said Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, chairperson and MD at Biocon. "Given the growing stature of India's life sciences industry, both Biocon and the Indian life sciences sector as a whole will benefit greatly from this collaboration."

The programme-with a course fee of Rs 6 lakh-will cover areas including molecular biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, bio-pharmaceutical quality assurance and introduction to US FDA and European Laws.

India's biotech sector currently is valued at $11billion, growing at an average annual rate of more than 20% over the past ten years. Every year roughly 40,000 biotech students graduate from 725 institutions.

Starting with a batch of 30, the academy aims at enrolling over a hundred students in a year's time. These graduates will find job opportunities in Biocon and other leading biotechnology companies. Biocon has invested about 10 crore in this initiative. This will also include scholarship of up to 75% of course fee on the basis of merit.