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Updated
4:00 IST, 11th April 2003
InnoCentive
in expansion mode, eyes India, China, Russia
Jayashree
Padmini - New Delhi
INNOCENTIVE.com, an incentive-based online initiative is in a bid
to expand
its scientific pool in its focus markets, say India, China and Russia.
The web-based InnoCentive.com has been created specifically for
top R&D scientists around the globe.
Ali
Hussein, vice-president, marketing, InnoCentive.com, says, ``When
we started 60 per cent of the scientists were from US alone, however,
now India, China and Russia account for over 60 per cent of scientist
members, i.e., solution providers.''
InnoCentive
is also eyeing India as a potential market for solution seekers.
``We are in talks with a few major pharma companies including Ranbaxy,''
he said. However, in Russia and China the focus is only on upping
strength of solution providers and the organization does not identify
any potential clients.
The
areas of R&D linking by the organization include bioengineering,
biochemistry, cell biology, genetics/genomics, bioinformatics, organic
chemistry, analytical chemistry, formulation and surface chemistry.
In view of bringing the research talent under one umbrella the organization
takes the platform of seminars.
It
has already conducted one seminar in Russia and one is scheduled
in China for April 17, 2003. The Indian conference is planned for
October/November this year in New Delhi. Already having an agreement
with the Center for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), InnoCentive
is now trying to forge alliances with Indian Institute of Technologies
(IITs) across the country to tap the scientific talent available
with them.
Hussein
said, ``It is the concept of distributive computing. We define it
as distributive R&D where we simultaneously explore the untapped
knowledge base of the scientists at multiple locations.''
Hussein
says, ``With the R&D expenses on the rise and the sales realization
diminishing over time the role of distributive R&D gains momentum.''
This could be compared to outsourcing the specific component of
R&D, which is the trend among global R&D companies in a
way to cut down-time and cost.
He
points out that this methodology is highly advantageous as by linking
scientists and corporates, InnoCentive gives the scientists an opportunity
to cash in their knowledge at the same time helping the solution
seeker a speedy and effective solution.
On
IPR issues he said, the members enters into an agreement with InnoCentive
wherein they agree to transfer IPR on receiving payment. The distributive
R&D offers cost competitive access to expertise at increased
capacity and with higher level of speed.
Its
clients include Dow Chemicals, Procter & Gamble and Eli Lilly
-- the promoter group. Hussein was reluctant to reveal the clients
citing that the organization has entered into a secrecy agreement
with the solution seekers. So far two Indian scientists have received
the awards.
Dr
Apparoa Satyam, principal scientist, Glenmark Pharma was awarded
$75000
for his work in organic chemistry of synthesising a molecule. Dr
Radhakrishnan, deputy director (ASD-SP, Technical) at Shriram Institute
for Industrial Research, Bangalore, has won Rs 1.5 lakh for giving
a theoretical solution to a 'protein crosslinking' related problem.
The
US-based InnoCentive is promoted by eLilly the venture group of
the pharma giant Eli Lilly. It enables companies to tap into the
talents of a global scientific community for innovative solutions
to tough R&D problems and scientists to receive professional
recognition and financial awards for solving R&D challenges.
jay_p50@hotmail.com
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