Victorian Government offers collaboration in Life Science

Bangalore, Jun 7 (UNI) Australia's Victoria state, which has over 30 per cent of medical and pharmaceutical companies in in the country offers tremendous opportunity to India for collaboration in Research and Development in Life Sciences and Medicines, Victoria Governor Prof David de Krester has said.

Talking to newspersons here last night, he said the Victorian Government was committed to achieving its vision of becoming one of the world's top five technology locations by 2010.

He was here to participate in Bangalore Bio-2007.

Prof Krester said that since 1999, the Government of Victoria had invested over 1.8 billion Australian Dollar in Life Science, technology and innovation, which had resulted in sustained growth in the sector. In 2007, over 40 per cent of national medical research grants were awarded to Victorian researchers, which was home to 141 biotech companies out of 347 companies in the country.

Victoria housed over 15 major medical research institutes, seven teaching hospitals and nine universities. In 2005-06, Victorian life science companies generated sales of Australian Dollar 5.7 billion.

Complimenting India for its economic success with an overall growth rate of over nine per cent, Prof Krester said his State would look forward to collaborative opportunities in stem cell research, food and nutritional security, environmental technologies, healthcare, agriculture and bioformatics sectors.

India had made significant strides in Information Technology, Biotech and Research and Development and Victoria look forward to collaborations, joint ventures and working together to strengthen bilateral productive and innovative capacities in the field of life sciences, medicines and related areas, he said.

Dr Amanda Caples, Director (Biotechnology), Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Victoria, said an Indo-Australian joint study group had been formed to conduct innovative research work in stem cell technology. A fund of Australian Dollar 40 million had been created for the purpose and as a first step, a workshop on stem cell research and its capabilities would be held in Melbourne shortly.

UNI