How is INTERPHEX relevant as a brand within a global market?
Today the pharmaceutical industry is a fine example of a truly global industry. Like their predecessors in the automotive or even food processing industries, pharma's large multi-national companies have understood the need to replicate their products in exact form, wherever they are produced in the world. They are then free to be able to find the most advantageous country in which to manufacture or operate. As this process has developed, their supplier base has also become more global, and suppliers tend to follow their customers around the world. INTERPHEX provides the marketplace for both global and local companies to do business, wherever they wish anywhere around the globe.
Can you give us a brief idea of the evolution of the INTERPHEX brand globally?
INTERPHEX is an acronym for the International Pharmaceutical Exhibition. It was first launched in London in 1975 by a company called Clapp and Poliak that was purchased three years later by Reed Exhibitions. The show ran annually in London until 1980, when a new event was launched in New York. The show then alternated each year between London and New York. However after only four years, both the UK and the US needed an annual event of their own.
The shows have been running in both countries ever since. But beginning in the mid 1980, as the Pharmaceutical Industry expanded globally, so more INTERPHEX events developed. Japan was the next country to have its own INTERPHEX in 1985. The market continued to expand, as did INTERPHEX into Singapore, Puerto Rico, Mexico, China and now India. I am happy to say that many of our customers have grown and developed with us though the years. There are many companies who still exhibit today, who were with as at our very first event 32 years ago. Some of them are now household names in the industry, and we have grown up together.
India marks the latest and most exciting development in a rich history of pharmaceutical trade show and conferences.
What differentiates INTERPHEX from such similar events?
In a nutshell, the answer lies in the care we take to deliver the best business contacts our customers can hope to make, that they would otherwise not have been able to make.
Primarily, INTERPHEX has developed relationships and knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry over the past 32 years. This is unmatched by any other event. We have developed the world's largest database of drug manufacturers and suppliers. We have also developed our own publishing business within the pharmaceutical & medical field to become the world's largest scientific and medical publisher. Elsevier Science, our sister company, is one of the world's foremost scientific publishers, and The Lancet, published out of the UK, is a prime example of our leading magazines.
INTERPHEX focuses with obsessive intensity on both delivering premium quality events in every detail, and in the quality of the attendance it delivers. We understand the need to select the best partners, to help us achieve our goals. We focus on brokering relationships between buyers and sellers. In India, we combine our own International VIP Club with IPA, EEPC, PPMA and others to deliver a host of pre-arranged buyer / seller meetings.
We go the extra distance to make sure the event contains the most interesting and latest technology, the best educational content, and we design our events to be entirely business to business. We take pride in the quality of our events. We spend more on promoting our events to deliver the best audience than any other organizer. Our events are premium products.
How successful has been INTERPHEX as a platform for diffusion of innovation?
The first automated capsule fillers were first seen on the show floor at INTERPHEX in the 1970s. Today you will learn how RFID technology is being implemented to confound counterfeiters. Technology is a constant theme at INTERPHEX. The conference further educates on latest technology. Just as auto-manufacturers will show off their latest creations in Frankfurt or Detroit, so the pharma industry shows off at INTERPHEX.
What sort of participation does INTERPHEX NY expect in 2007? How is it going to be different from the previous years?
We expect over 1,000 companies to exhibit to an audience of 15,000 industry professionals. A key difference will be the sheer international focus. As the market has expanded, so the number of international buyers and sellers at the show. A simple look across the show floor and at our attendees clearly demonstrates this. This is not simply a North American event anymore.
What are the highlights of INTERPHEX NY 2007?
There are many. To name only a few:
#.There will be 350 new companies exhibiting at the show.
#.Visionary Keynotes will be given by Stephen Burrill and Bill Cook.
#.The BioExecutive Round table and the Biotech Funding Forum pay particular attention to biotech.
#.The 2007 Facility of the Year Award will be given to the winner of the most innovative and creative manufacturing facility to have come on stream in the past 12 months.
#.The new PharmaMedDevice show will debut alongside INTERPHEX
#.The Focus on India and South Asia will be a constant theme throughout the show.
Can you give us an idea of the Indian participation at INTERPHEX NY?
18 Indian companies will exhibit at INTERPHEX this year, 14 directly and the rest through partners / agents. They come from diverse industry segments from packaging to tabletting machinery and cleanroom solutions.
We are most excited about the 200+ Indian pharma professionals - both from industry and allied sectors, who are slated to attend the show, to evaluate and consider participation for next year. Some of them are participating in the conference as well. Participation in 2007 is the highest in the history of Interphex and we see it as a very positive sign.
How do you see Indian participation at INTERPHEX shows evolving over the years?
Today we have around 18 Indian companies participating directly or though local representatives at NY. As experience builds and relationships develop, I anticipate that this number will grow significantly. I hope that Indian exhibitors will top 100 companies within two years.
At INTERPHEX India, I expect significant early growth. The region is not served well in terms of truly global Pharma events. In other smaller markets around the world countries have major events of 500+ exhibitors. India deserves and must have such an event. INTERPHEX India should develop into a major event of over 500 exhibitors within three years.
Do you have a message for Indian companies about the US market?
Yes! The US market has heard about the quality improvements in Indian products and suppliers. They have also heard about the cost competitive nature of Indian products. It is time to show off, and let them see your products first hand. As our relationship with the immigration authorities develops, and visa applications become so much easier, there are fewer reasons why Indian companies should not expect to play a serious and active role in supplying US based manufacturers. As they expand their reach into India, they will naturally look to the early partnerships they make. Take first mover advantage.
Please comment on INTERPHEX global strategies for the future anticipating the evolving trends in the pharma / biotech outsourcing industry.
Globally, INTERPHEX is expanding as the market demands it. Outsourcing is the predominant theme of the current era. Our customers are looking to outsource more than ever before. Suppliers need outsourcing partners in order to stay competitive, without compromising quality. Manufacturers are looking to outsource everything from Drug Development, Phase I, II and III research, Proprietary and Generic Drug manufacturing, and all support operations. INTERPHEX has made it a key driver in our strategic development that we make the introductions and business connections on a world-wide scale. When companies say "outsource" they are rarely thinking of outsourcing to another company within the same town, state or country. They are thinking "global" that's where we come in.