CAREER IN BIOSCIENCES/BIOTECHNOLOGYBiotechnology is a dynamic field which is inherited from various disciplines such as Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Cytology, Chemistry, Pharmacology, Bioinformatics and impacting important areas such as Medicine, Agriculture and environment.In today's advanced era, when people are exposed to so many physical disorders, Biotechnology plays a vital role in developing medicines, vaccines, energy production, and conservation. It is imperative that India has to keep up with the increasing demand for food from the ever expanding population. Agricultural land is also shrinking. Biotechnology can be used in a wide range of economic activity ranging from environment, animal husbandry, medicinal and aromatic plants, bio fuels, aqua-culture and products like silk and leather. India has become the hub of Biosciences/Biotechnology since the last decade and has become the main center of attraction for global investments due to the skilled and knowledgeable manpower available in India. Due to the rich resources available in the country, India has become one of the major areas for setting manufacturing units and Research laboratories by the MNC's.India's bioscience/biotech industry leading players comment says the field is positioned to more than double in size over the next five years as more companies in the subcontinent tap in on the potential for opportunities in clinical trials, manufacturing and more.Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Bicon's Chief predicts that biotechnology Industry in India has achieved a "critical mass" that has positioned biotech to achieve exponential growth. Indian Biosciences/Biotechnology industry is considered as one of the sunrise sectors in India. The industry can be classified into five different segments. 1.Biopharma2.Agri-Biotech 3.Bio-industrial4.Bio-services 5.Bioinformaticswith each concentrating on a particular area,Biopharma deals with the production of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.Agri-biotech comprises of hybrid seeds and transgenic crops, biopesticides and biofertilizers.Bio- Industrial comprises of enzyme manufacturing and marketing companies and these enzymes are used in detergent, textile, food, leather, paper and pharmaceutical industry.Bio-services market usually deals with clinical trial, contract research and manufacturing activities.Bio-informatics creates and maintains the extensive electronic databases on various biological systems.Some key statistics figure about Indian Biosciences/Biotechnology IndustryThird biggest biotech industry in the Asia-Pacific region.Second highest number of USFDAapproved plants.USD 3.7 Billion to be spent on biotechnology from 2012-17.No. 1 producer of Hepatitis B vaccine recombinant.USD 100 Billion industry by 2025.The Indian biotech industry will grow at an average growth rate of around 30% a year and reach USD 100 Billion by 2025.The Indian bio-economy grew to USD 4.3 Billion at the end of 2013, up from USD 530 Million in 2003.The Indian biotech industry grew by 15.1% in 201213, increasing the markets revenues from USD 3.31 Billion in 2011-12 to USD 3.81 Billion in 201213.The market size of the sector is expected to rise up to USD 11.6 Billion by 2017 due to a range of factors such as growing demand for healthcare services, intensive R&D activities and strong government initiatives.The bio-pharmaceutical sector accounts for the largest share of the biotech industry with a share of 64% in total revenues in 2013, followed by bio-services (18%), bio-agri (14%), bio-industrial (3%) and bio-informatics (1%).Revenue from bio-pharma exports reached USD 2.2 Billion in 2013, accounting for 51% of total revenues of the biotech industry.The sector has seen high growth with a CAGR in excess of 20% and the key drivers for growth in the biotech sector are increasing investments, outsourcing activities, exports and the governments focus on the sector.A strong pool of scientists and engineers.Cost-effective manufacturing capabilities.The setting up of national research laboratories, centres of academic excellence in biosciences, several medical colleges, educational and training institutes offering degrees and diplomas in biotechnology, bio-informatics and biological sciences.For global companies looking to economise, outsourcing to lower cost economies results in a cost arbitrage of more than 50%.Fast-developing clinical capabilities with the country becoming a popular destination for clinical trials, contract research and manufacturing activities.Establishment of industry oriented organisations support biotech start-ups and SMEs through funding, mentoring, hand-holding and infrastructure support..Biotechnology Industry Size of the industry Biotechnology IndustryToday in India there are more than 350 Biotechnology companies in India providing employment for over 20,000 scientists. Most of the companies are located in the major cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmadabad. The leading companies in India are Biocon, Serum Institute of India(in the biopharma space),MahycoMonsanto, Rasi seeds(in the agri-bio tech field),Strand Genomics, GVK Biosciences (in the bioinformatics arena), Syngene and Quintiles in the (in bio services). Top leading Biosciences/Biotechnology companiesBioconSerum Institute of IndiaPanacea BiotecNicholas PiramalWockhadrt LimitedGlaxoSmithKlineBharat SerumKrebs Biochemicals and Industries LimitedZydus CadilaIndian ImmunologicalsBiosciences/Biotechnology Industry Employment opportunities Opportunities in Biosciences/Biotechnology Industry in India have are great with many universities and other institutions offering B.Sc. M.Sc, Ph.D courses in biosciences/ biotechnology. One can study Physics, Chemistry and Biology at the high school level to do graduation course in biosciences/biotechnology. Post graduation can be done in biosciences/ biotechnology in special areas like Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, Agricultural Biotechnology, Marine Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology or Biomedical Engineering. Entry level jobs in the field of Biosciences/Biotechnology require a minimum graduation course. Those who have done PG courses can opt for research work starting as a junior researcher. The Career options in the Biotech Industry extend to medical schools, research laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, chemical, agriculture and allied industries. Some of the best jobs exist in Research and Development as biosciences/biotechnology is still a nascent science with tremendous scope for scientific research. The opportunities in biosciences/ biotechnology research include Scientist, Research Associate, Research Assistant, Bioinformatics Scientist/Engineer, Bioinformatics Analyst, Bioinformatics Programmer, Molecular Modeler, Facility Manager/Supervisor (Animal Sciences), Veterinarian, Lab Assistant, etc..