Revenues of Indian biotech sector surge to $4 bn in 2010-11

The Indian biotech and lifesciences industry recorded the fastest pace of growth in the last five years in 2010-11 to touch revenues of USD 4 billion (Rs 18,399.34 crore), according to a survey.

Of this, the biotech industry contributed Rs 17,249.34 crore, while the life science education market made up the remaining Rs 1,150 crore, according to the 9th annual BioSpectrum-Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) survey.

The biotech industry, without the life sciences education component, recorded revenue growth of 21.5% vis-a-vis 2009-10 revenues of Rs 14,199 crore. The top 10 South-based companies, led by Biocon, accounted for USD 1 billion(Rs 4816 crore) in revenues.

The contribution of the 'BioPharma', 'BioServices', 'BioAgri', 'Bioindustrials' and 'Bioinformatics' verticals was Rs 10,645 crore, Rs 3,245.97 crore, Rs 2,480 crore, Rs 626 crore and Rs 252 crore, respectively. The BioPharma vertical contributed almost two-fifths of industry revenues, followed by BioServices with 18.82 per cent and BioAgri with a 14.38% contribution. Bioindustrials
and BioInformatics made up the rest of the industry revenue.

The fastest growing sector, BioAgri, has increased its market share in the last five years from less than 5% to over 14% of 2011 industry revenue.

BioInformatics companies saw exports increase in 2010-11 and accounted for 42% of total revenues, with more focus on customers in the US and Europe. Growth of biologics in the domestic market gave an 8% boost to the BioPharma segment, which clocked about 21% growth in 2010-11, the survey revealed.

However, cheaper biochemical alternatives dragged down the growth of the Bioindustrial segment. It grew at 10.985 in 2010-11, a drop of 7.01% vis-a-vis the previous year's growth.

The Biotech industry derived 51% of overall revenues -- Rs 8,852.34 crore -- from exports. Biocon retained its position as the No. 1 company, with
overall revenue growing at a healthy 26%. Of the Top 20 companies, Shantha Biotech and Jubilant Life Sciences saw a drop in revenue, while Ankur Seeds posted a spectacular growth in revenues.

Nearly 175 biotech companies in South India contributed to 44% of total revenues in 2010-11, up from 39 per cent in 2009-10. Western Indian states, with 139 companies, contributed nearly 43.60%.

In terms of the number of companies, the South continued its dominance with 175 companies, while the West had 139 companies. North India, with 48 companies, was the next big contributor.

Biocon retained the No. 1 position with revenues of Rs 1,083 crore, followed by Serum Institute of India (Rs 1,041 crore) from Pune, New Delhi-based Panacea Biotec (Rs 928.41 crore), Nuziveedu Seeds from Hyderabad (Rs 610 crore) and Reliance Life Sciences (Rs 490 crore). Serum Institute recovered from a slump in the previous year, thanks to robust sales of its newly introduced swine flu vaccine.