"There are certain essential components as defined by International Association of Science Parks and on those criteria we score quite well.…" Mrs. Deepanwita Chatopadhyay

Mrs. Deepanwita Chattopadhyay is the CEO of ICICI Knowledge Park, the first of its kind, to come up in the country. Knowledge Park facilitates the industrial R&D by making the effort cost effective. ICICI Knowledge Park, apart from providing the space, lab facilities and other attendant services, has in its own way contributed to the movement of industrial R&D. This Knowledge Park has specialised on bio-sciences and pharmaceuticals research. The CEO shared the institution building experiences with  the http://www.rndindia.info project in an elaborate interview. Here are the excerpts from the same.

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Could you tell us about the beginning of the ICICI Knowledge Park? 

In India, for sometime now, there were Software Technology Parks.  The idea of Science Park was to encourage industries to get into research,  to share infrastructure, there is a very standard method of providing infrastructure.   Land and other facilities, particularly, Municipal Corporations provide this kind of infrastructure.  State Governments are not willing to set up the infrastructure on their own any longer.  

Science Parks with us is not based on any model as such.  To begin with ICICI Knowledge Park’s (ICIC KP) focus was life sciences as this research is knowledge-driven. It includes biotech, chemistry, and new materials. Our focus has evolved over a period of time rather than pre-defined. There are biotech firms doing their own R&D.  They focus only on biotech.  We look at research in a more holistic way.

Also, it is not conceptualized as a commercial venture.  It is a non-profit venture. The initial funding came from ICICI. We get support from the companies, which have set up their research facilities in the Knowledge Park.  The charges commensurate with what we provide, depending on the requirement, whether it is wet lab space or warm shell. The charges are very competitive for the facilities provided. For a very small startup, shared equipment are provided and larger labs prefer their own equipment.

How are the ICICI KP functions run?

Essentially space in the Knowledge Park is leased. Knowledge Park has a technical committee, which examines the proposals.  . Initially we also look at the company’s R&D agenda to understand whether there is any serious research built into it.  Generally the space is leased for three years. There would be periodical reviews, which examines broadly the nature of research being done, but we do not get into research details.  This would include equipment facility they are using and also the problems they may be facing.  There are Contract Research Companies also.  Contract Research Companies have their own agenda.

We help the companies to get in touch with venture capitalists, as and when needed. Knowledge Park monitors the work to the extent it complies with the objectives of the park.  Venture Capitalists would monitor for the progress in research and other sectors.

What are the other advantages for companies to use ICICI KP?

It will depend upon the kind of company.  For Indian companies, particularly if it is a small company, their overheads costs are lower, if they come to Knowledge Park.  It means you don’t need an electrician, you don’t need a plumber, and you don’t need security. So your overheads costs come down.  Then for companies which are also doing a lot of business development like contract research companies, their location is very important because to get contract they have to be located not somewhere in a pollution free zone.  Environment is very important and for them to set up in such an environment is not possible.  Because we are doing it for so many companies, it is possible for us to provide infrastructure.  

We will help in incorporating the company for the ones which come from outside.  That helps in liaison with the government.  These things they find easy if they go through somebody who can help them to get a legal advice and deal with such procedures, as they are usually  not aware of where to go, how to do, and such things.  Also, any outside company prefers talking to a trusted agency like Knowledge Park if they want to build their own facility outside, they would not know whom the land belongs to and such nitty-gritty.  In case of  venture-funded company VCs don’t encourage putting money in brick and mortar, but in projects and actual R&D. These are some of the reasons, why Science Parks have flourished all over the world. 

Which are the better-known companies that have shared ICICI KP facilities?

Dupont, Matrix Labs, Gvk Biosciences, Indigene Pharmaceuticals, EPR Pharmaceuticals, Albany molecular, etc.  We had 26 companies so far. Of these eight have graduated and 18 resident companies are working in various areas of life sciences.  A little more than half of the focus of these companies is technology product development and the rest contract research.   Dupont is expanding their facility in Knowledge Park.  

Some of the companies have graduated from Knowledge Park to set up their own.  When do you think it is right time for companies to graduate to their own R&D facility? 

It would depend on their R & D strategy.  There are examples when venture started here, they tried out something and then they felt that, yes, it is time that they can set up their own.  Also some units started their own manufacturing or when they decide to integrate their R & D and manufacturing together.  In some cases they would have an on going manufacturing set up and as a strategy they decide to integrate.

What are the terms of accommodation for R&D?

There will be a minimum requirement of, say, 15,000 sq. ft.  Beyond that if they want we can build a separate facility for them. For startup companies, exit is a must beyond three years.  In a way they have to make things happen in three years. Our exit Policy is very stringent.  In three years they have to fructify their R & D. It can be before that.  We will be most happy if they can prove themselves, go ahead with commercialization and branch out on their own.  Even if they cannot, they have to move out.   Further three years could be given.  Depending upon the availability of space. Companies, which hire the facilities, would want to make the best use of this. If they are not and the place is lying fallow we help prepare them to vacate.  Sometimes, of course, they also realize that they are not using it and the investment is not worth the money. 

ICICI KP is not for profit. How can this stance be justified when MNCs like Dupont establish R&D facilities with you?

Ours is non profit venture.  It does not mean that we do not make a margin.  Basically, we do not declare dividends.  We plough back whatever surplus we make into further development.  It is building up resources through the surpluses.  We are a Section 25 company. 

Would you discriminate when it comes to an Indian company or a foreign company in charges for facilities?

No. Only startup companies are treated differently. 

Do you see separating Indian and foreign companies a justifiable proposition?

I do not think it should be like that.  We have to be transparent about this.  We hold the same policy even in cases of foreign companies operating in the country. 

How does ICICI Knowledge Park compare with other similar facilities in the country?

It is not really for me to comment on, but I think ours is the best in the country.  This is just a comparative evaluation. you have to see what kind of lab facilities is available in Poona, Lucknow, where other Knowledge Parks are located.  I would think ours is a much better science facility. There are various kinds of Science Parks. Some just promote incubation with the Universities.  These parks provide only large space for company.  Some parks do incubation plus Science Park.  Some parks include manufacturing.  So, it would all depend upon what is the core that is driving? There are certain essential  components as defined by International Association of Science Parks [ http://www.iasp.ws ] and on those criteria we score quite well. 

How does ICICI KP compare with SEZs that are being conceptualized? Do SEZs provide Science Park facilities?

SEZs are mainly for manufacturing.  Our facilities are only for research.  Science Parks are generally research oriented.  There are facilities and infrastructure, which provide hand holding for small companies.   We provide interaction platforms, workshops, networking and are oriented mainly to research.  Manufacturing is not a competence of Science Park.  So, we are Science Park Biotech non-manufacturing.  We are regional development organizations. 

How many scientists would be there in individual labs within Knowledge Park?

It depends on individual R & D establishments.  GVK has more than 200 people and some startups have only two people. 

When there are only two people in a company, the problem will be more in terms of interaction.  Can they interact with other scientists from other companies?  Is such a common platform provided?

We conduct workshops.  That is a formal facility.  There are other informal facilities – there is cafeteria, there are newspaper and magazine reading area, people interact there.  Though it is not in terms of solving research issues or something like that. For solving logistic problems they come to us.  

They will not go to other scientists.  Generally what they are working on is not discussed with others.  We have life science incubators and incubator managers.  If we feel that they require specific inputs, we will go to other people and make connections.  That is in case of something that we are not able to understand ourselves. 

Virtual Information Centre is an important component of ICICI KP. How are the VIC facilities used by the companies?

Some smaller companies utilize the facility more than the larger companies because the larger companies also have access to a lot of databases.  But smaller companies find it easier to get whatever they want through VIC.  It is mainly accessing articles from journals, translation, and sometimes full-text of patents.  Companies come to us when their library is not able to locate something. Sometimes companies, like Matrix, in a recent experience, say ‘we know where it is but it would take a lot of time for us to get it. So you do this for us’.  Some companies like GVK biosciences, have their own library and online access, they do not need as much from us.  So VIC use depends upon the structure of the company and typically small companies find VIC’s utility more than the big companies. Virtual Information Centre services are charged as per the norms, which vary sometimes with the urgency of the requirement. 

Is there a case for more Knowledge Parks in the country?

Sure, we need more Knowledge Parks.   There is enough need for shared infrastructure.  A lot of biotech parks are coming up around the country.  They are being planned in U. P., Karnataka.  They are in the pipeline, yet. There are many parks with computer related companies.  They are not R&D setup.  They do business. There are some incubators within these Software Technology Parks. 

What is ICICI KP’s experience with incubators?

We have started incubation just a year back.   It is too early to make an assessment.

What kind of mentoring facilities do you have?

Mentoring we have include helping them write the business plan and evaluation, filing the patent, etc. 

Are there patents that have come out of Knowledge Park and made a significant impact?

Some companies are filing  patents based on their work.  Money may come much later. 

After nearly a decade where is the ICICI Knowledge Park? 

We have always focused on Biotech.  We are functioning since Biotech policy was released.  The companies from India pharmaceuticals sector have been able to achieve significant results. GVK Biosciences’ achievements have been along with the growth of Knowledge Park. 

As there was nothing of this kind before in the country, initially we didn’t even know what was to come. There was no shared infrastructure available for research earlier.  First two years were difficult for us to convince the companies about the concept.  Many of them were doing just reverse engineering.    Research was not an important embodiment.  We had to convince those companies that they have to get into research.  Now, none of that is required.  Things have changed and facilities have improved.  There are many companies within the Knowledge Park.  People do not ask same questions.  As many companies are there, already doing the research, there comfort levels are higher. 

As of now we do not have any facility free.  Everything is occupied.  That should speak of our success. If somebody wants some facility now they will have to wait for three years more. 

I feel, with the achievements so far the project is a success.  Now we have to evolve other things  we can do.  We have started ICICI Centre for Technology for Public Health, Centre for Agricultural Research. These are our new initiatives along with the Science Technology Park. These would be full-fledged research centres.  There is a more active research agenda for those initiatives. We want the people to develop technologies in public health.  But at the same time it would not happen without some kind of push. We would undertake research, hire scientists.  That is getting into the mainstream of scientific research. The idea is to see that technologies get commercialized.  Research may happen in Knowledge Park. It may be in collaboration with some other institution.  But it would happen organically within. 

Do you also provide for Agricultural research land for nurseries?

We do not provide land. They have some green houses.  The individual companies set them up. Knowledge Park will not do that for them. 

How challenging is the job of a KP CEO ?

It is challenging enough! It is institution building work. It is considerable work, as we are just ten full time employees here.    We have a lot of outsourced staff though.  For the new centers, of course, I have to get more staff.  Even then it will be about  20 everything put together, not more than that.