Reliance Life Sciences is planning to set up its biotechnology-based production facilities at Indian Vaccines Corporation, a subsidiary of IPCL.

A joint venture of IPCL and the department of biotechnology, the Indian Vaccines Corporation was promoted for the commercial production of injectible polio vaccines in the country. However, the project did not take off.

The Reliance Group is in talks with the government to acquire management control at the corporation to utilise its production facilities for Reliance Life Sciences.

In its latest annual report, IPCL has said, "Since Reliance Life Sciences is engaged in the field of biotechnology research, it has been decided to utilise their expertise in setting up biotechnology-based production facilities at the corporation's site."

Reliance Life is setting up this facility in addition to a life sciences complex being built by the New Jersey-based Kvaerner, the global engineering and construction firm, at Thane, near Mumbai.

The complex is expected to house research and development laboratories and a greenhouse, and is likely to be completed by the end of this year.

The campus also includes a comprehensive genetic centre as part of its cell biology group, in addition to the embryonic stem cells research facility and the assisted-reproduction facility.

It was a preliminary step towards launching commercial operations for the company's cell biology initiatives.

Reliance Life, a privately held company, was incorporated in 2001 to carry out research and develop in medical, plant and industrial biotechnology.

It recently joined hands with Thyrocare Technologies, the world's largest thyroid-testing laboratory, to offer DNA technology-based genetic testing services across the country.

Reliance, with the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, was recognised by the National Institute of Health of the US as one of the global agencies with a credible collection of stem cell lines.