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Reliance
Life to invest $50 m in biotech research complex
EPP News Bureau - Mumbai
Reliance
Life Sciences is investing $ 50 million to set up a life sciences
complex near Mumbai, it is learnt. Reliance has contracted international
engineering and construction group Kvaerner to design and build
the complex. The complex will be executed in two phases. The first
phase would include setting up of R&D laboratories, a cGMP pilot
plant, animal environments and a green house. Phase II will involve
the construction of various support systems, integral for the operation
of biotech laboratories, a Reliance press release states. Completion
of the life sciences campus is slated for March 2003, the release
adds.
Though
Reliance has stated its intention to commercialise blood products,
sources close to the company say that it is also looking at the
lucrative global biogenerics market. In fact, Reliance is aggressively
hiring scientists and post-doc researchers to swiftly realise its
commercial objectives, industry sources say. The company plans to
recruit around 200 scientists, it is learnt.
Reliance
has envisioned to bring biotechnology to benefit life, living and
living systems in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. We are
enthused about working in this new area and looking forward to working
with Kvaerner to build a world class campus in India,” Mukesh
Ambani, vice chairman of Reliance Industries Limited.
Kvaerner
earned the contract with Reliance based on their expertise and leadership
in the biopharma arena, global capabilities with local India location
and long standing relations with Reliance. The Kvaerner team will
represent a global effort with conceptual design, detail consultation
and validation originating from their US headquarters in Bridgewater,
procurement services from its UK operations and detail design and
field support from its Mumbai affiliate.
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