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The six-year-old Genotypic Technology Pvt. Ltd., a Genomics and Bioinformatics company, will launch the latest and novel micro array tool 'Bio-Interpreter' in beta version during this month. The company has already applied for a patent for the product.
Bio-Interpreter is a knowledge tool which is for basic research. It helps to speed up the biological analysis by digitising the drug database. Research on this tool was started in November 2005 and a team of five were involved in the project.
According to company sources, the key features of the product are quick access to hidden significances in genes, chromosomes in specific diseases like arthritis, cancer and diabetes. It will display functions including cell development, cell cycle and cell differentiation. It will address biological problems using genomics to address diseases, drug development and markers.
As pre-cursor to the launch, the company has already organised seminars/workshops and one such event in June will coincide with the Bangalore Bio 2006.
"We were associated with the Universities of London, Israel and Singapore for the inputs for Bio-Interpreter. Although the content was developed by Genotypic, it outsourced the software development portion to an information technology company in Bangalore. The main target users will be individuals and will be marketed worldwide, Dr. Raja Mugasimangalam, president and CEO, Genotypic Technology told Pharmabiz.
The company which offers high-end products and services for the pharmaceutical, Genomic, drug discovery and academic research institutes has registered itself as an Export Oriented Unit. Currently, its global-domestic sales share ratio is 50:50 and the company is confident of a 70:50 share with Bio Interpreter's acceptance in the international market. A large potion of its customers are from Singapore, US, Israel and Canada. Those from India include AstraZeneca, Indian Institute of Science and Advanced Enzyme Technologies.
Presently, the global micro array market is valued at around $1billion and in India, it is estimated to be between US$ 4-5 million. There are around 50 micro array operations in the country that mainly include research academic institutes apart from pharma companies like Ranbaxy, where micro array studies have commenced. Genotypic was one of the first companies to enter into the micro array space in 2000. Among the other well know names today are Ocimum Biosolutions, Centre for Genomic Application, Affymetrix and Lab India.
The Indian market has grown significantly since 2000 and this is attributed mainly because of awareness, stated Dr. Sudha Narayana Rao, Vice-President, R&D, Genotypic Technology.
Last year, Genotypic, the total solutions provider in micro array with a focus on gene expression received Rs 1 crore from an angle investor. It is now scouting for venture capitalists who would be able to infuse funds for its future projects. The company upgraded its lab and entered into an alliance with Agilent Technologies to become an authorised service provider for micro array products and a distributor of their micro array analyser 'Gene Spring'.
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