Bioinformatics

Typically refers to the field concerned with the collection and storage of biological information. All matters concerned with biological databases are considered bioinformatics. Bioinformatics is the study of the inherent structure of biological information and biological systems. It brings together the avalanche of systematic biological data (e.g. genomes) with the analytic theory and practical tools of computer science and mathematics.

Bioinformatics is today seen as primarily applied to speeding up new drug discovery. But the other area that assumes increasingly higher significance is the application of IT to the entire life sciences sector- for the same purpose it is done in other industrial sectors- improving efficiency, reducing costs, wider access, etc. For example bio-diversity data management is an area that requires application of the best database design techniques and planning for data warehousing and data-mining. Knowledge management as applied to corporations will also become relevant in the scientific context to ensure that Indian scientists get relevant and timely information related to their research to help them network and collaborate to create new intellectual property.

In 2004-05, the Indian bioinformatics sector registered revenues of 22.2 million USD, of which about 40% was from the local market and the rest from the exports. India’s entry into the product patent regime in 2005 has boosted the bioinformatics sector in 2004-05. This sector is expected to have a major slice of the global bioinformatics pie in the next few years.

At present there are about 45 companies in this space mainly concentrated in southern cities in like Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. Of these about 35 companies are involved in developing bioinformatics tools.

India has the potential to assume global leadership in genome analysis. India has several ethnic populations that are valuable in providing information about disease predisposition and susceptibility, which in turn can help in drug discovery. The Institute of Genomics & Integrated Biology (IGIB), New Delhi is in the process of developing a database of genetic profiles among diverse Indian populations in terms of ethnicity, demographics and ancestral roots.

LIMS tools, a big opportunity

With the new IPR regime in place, sponsors are looking at companies in India to outsource their work and this has opened up the market for Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) tools. The market for LIMS products in India is picking up. At present, the market is estimated to be in the range of US$ 13.3-15.6 million and growing at a healthy rate of 30-40 per cent. In India, LabVantge, Ocimum Biosolutions, Persistent Systems and Agaram Industries are some of the leading players offering LIMS products to companies. Multinational biosuppliers such as Thermo Electron Corporation and Perkin-Elmer are also offering LIMS products in India.