Chandigarh, Aug 21 (UNI) Biocom Chairperson and Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar has offered to set up Biocom's research and development centre in Punjab with an investment of Rs 100 crore and having employment potential for about 200 scientists.

During a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here last evening, Dr Mazumdar also emphasised the need to chalk out a joint action programme to involve state's industry with universities to work together for overcoming all the practical hardships being faced by both the sectors in the field of biotechnology.

She stressed the need for promoting clinical research in the medical units with the involvement of pharmaceutical industry. She said that this would boost the local industry to work in unison with educational institutes in the arena of biotechnology as a partner.

Taking part in the deliberations, Mr Badal assured Dr Mazumdar that Punjab government would extend full support and cooperation to them for setting up of the R&D unit in the state.

He said the government was taking major initiative for the promotion of biotechnology in the state including the setting up of National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Bio-Processing Unit and Biotechnology Park in Knowledge City, Mohali.

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