In a move aimed at promoting the biomedical industry as a sunrise sector for the State, the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) is gearing up to establish a research and development (R&D) park for biomedical devices in Thiruvananthapuram, with financial assistance from the Centre.
KSCSTE officials have had several rounds of discussions with representatives of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and the Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) on the detailed project report. Executive Vice President, KSCSTE, Suresh Das said the report was expected to be finalised soon.
Earlier this year, Union Minister for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences Harsh Vardhan had promised to consider the proposal for Central funding.
The proposed park is aimed at helping Kerala tap the global market for biomedical devices estimated to be worth $2.5 billion. The facility seeks to network research institutions such as the Regional Cancer Centre, SCTIMST, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, and CSIR- National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) with relevant industries and investors.
Facilities for small units
Envisaged as a facility for scientists and budding entrepreneurs to work on business propositions and incubate companies, the facility will initially operate from a 40,000-sq ft space. The KSIDC has expressed willingness to house the project on the campus of the Life Sciences Park in Thiruvananthapuram. It will have plug-and-play facilities for small units and incubation centres for start-ups, besides test beds to provide technical support.
Dr. Das said the project would be implemented in a phased manner. “It fits in with the Make in India programme. The focus, however, will be on creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship in the sector rather than establishing a manufacturing hub.” The SCTIMST is understood to have highlighted the strong possibility for expansion of the R&D centre.
MoU to be signed
The KSCSTE expects to sign a memorandum of understanding with the KSIDC to implement the project. The project is designed to become self-sustaining after running on government support for five years. The council is also exploring the possibility of mobilising external funds. The project will be placed before a delegation from the U.K. Innovation and Incubation, slated to visit the city in October.
The R&D park for biomedical devices is part of a package of three major projects submitted to the Centre for funding. The other two projects — a technology development institute for critical minerals and an oceanarium and marine biological research laboratory — are to be taken up for implementation at a later stage.
