In a recent write up, an Indian magazine asked: why Basmati rice has a unique aroma? It then answered grandly: Because Dr. Villoo Morawala- Patell did the RNA reading of that rice genome. The magazine may have exaggerated a bit. But that is the way a section of the society looks at her with awe. A prominent speaker at biotechnology meetings, people hear her with rapt attention as she narrates the struggles, the fears, and the successes that make life as an indomitable entrepreneur. Dr. Villoo Morawala- Patell shared her experiences and expectations with Roby Ajith of BioSpectrum.

Villo with her daughters

Background: Dr Villoo Morawala Patell, is a plant molecular biologist from the University of Louis Pasteur, France. She studied at different boarding schools such as St Annes school, St Francis School, Secundrabad and Sophia College, Mumbai. Then did her Ph.D. at Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg and
completed the post doctoral work at the University of Ghent.

With her research group, she holds several patent applications in gene discovery and functionality, gene transformation for rice and millet as well as tissue-culture techniques, bioinformatics, and gene-sequencing techniques. Clearly, the startup is allowing this highly qualified Indian scientist to venture into the world of business.

Biggest exposure: We have the Research Process outsourcing (RPO) model and many products in the pipeline on the convergence of food and pharma. The main research in Avesthagen revolves around the seed for food and food for medicine, medicinal plants, and quality food and quality traits at the IP level. We generate our IP and license our products. We've developed cytoplasmic male sterily in rice. This would be useful for rice breeders.

How She handled the pressure: Pressures are always there. But over time, I have developed the ability to switch off from one problem and attending to another, maintaining the essential linkages and connectivity.

Perseverance pays off: Yes, I have paid off my early debts on a milestone basis. The existence of a company depends upon its current business plan. If you have a discovery-services company such as ours where a large amount of the money is going into research then you would require 2-3 years to break even. And we are not so concerned at short-term measures  as our play is really for the big ticket at the end of 4-5 years.

Sacrifice and battles: Lots of sacrifice and battles I have gone through in my life. I have traveled a long way to reach what am I now. It would be hard to describe it all. Family time is one that pinches most. My daughters Sarah and Sanaya are suddenly very big.

Lessons learned from the experience: Finally one stands alone although everybody (employees, investors, suppliers…) contributes, Survivors' perspective: I am fortunate in my team with an intimate involvement. It is an emotional involvement.

Desires: To see Avesthagen stand up to the world as an India based global company. Grow it through strategic alliances and co-development.

Looking back: Proud, we did it absolutely honestly. Can do it, bigger pride.

Strengths: A lot's been said about the potential in biotech. There is enormous potential but the hype that anyone can stand up and start a serious biotech company is wrong. You need enormous knowledge of both the industry and the science and have a serious vision to be successful. You also need enormous grit, determination broad shoulders and a strong heart to survive the first three years. There are no short cuts in this business and no early lucre.

Hobbies: Swimming, reading, update of the political world

Staff motivation: Opportunities to travel, attend conferences, I share everything with my employees. Avesthagen has a staff of 40, many of them sourced from the bioinformatics faculty of the Madurai Kamraj University, the only one of its kind in India. In keeping with its credo of convergence, the company is appropriately headquartered with the IT elite in the sparkling first-world environs of Bangalore's tech park in Whitefield. ''We are not only doing pure research, but also carrying out contract research

Force behind your success: I believe in the elements and forces of nature, energy, fire. My mother in law was the first Indian woman Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Imperial College, London. She was very encouraging. Participating husband. Children, they always looked up to me. Parents gave me the grit to persevere.

Which place does she belong to: Born in Navsari at Gujarat. But likes to represent India, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.

History of Avesthagen in your perception: I started as a garage entrepreneur, very small, four students and big ambitions and today we are what we are. But what I believe we should aim for is new discovery, something not found before that could contribute on a global scale and put us on the map as inventors.

Future of biotechnology: In the next three years or so with the new generation of entrepreneurs, biotechnology will be a serious affair with more than 100 biotech companies in the pure biotech sense, (not ancilliary to pharma/crop) will mushroom. Indian biotech will develop very rapidly and there would be the entry of international companies.

Funding for Avesthagen: We are raising a second round of VC funding from international investors and expect that this will materialize in approximately 3-6 months.

Funding requirements of biotech industry: Yes, funding is a problem. And some of the reasons are new faces, no history to attract banks into lending, Knowledge-based entrepreneurs with no collateral power for banks to fund. Government loans take a long time to process and also require collaterals. VCs need to study the international scenario better, do a thorough homework and should not rely on the entrepreneur to do the convincing. This will save time and energy.

Role of Indian biotechnology in the global market: India will, in phase 1, outsource work from the West. In phase 2, start manufacturing. Everybody recognizes the potential but it will need a greater effort from all concerned to really make it big. Tomorrow is another day.

Family: Parents are very simple people, believe in simple living and high thinking. Husband was always participating and children involved. Mother's family was land owners/farmers. Father is an academic from Surat. Lived in the district of Hydrabad on the invitation of the Nizam. Brother is a writer and has written three books on cricket, sister accountant at ADNOC. My husband Zareer Patell is an icon on physical fitness. And jazz pianist.