Over 60 national and international spea-kers, 350 conference delegates, 120 exhibitors, 20,000 business visitors from over 15 countries, various states of India, will convene at the premier annual event for the biotechnology industry which is the Bangalore Bio 2006 to be held from June 7 to 9, 2006.
Recognized as the largest biotech show in the Asia-Pac region, the sixth edition of Bangalore Bio will have a conference, business forum and trade exhibition for the entire biotech and allied industry to be held at the Palace grounds in Bangalore.
Promoted by the government of Karnataka and organized by the Vision Group on biotechnology,Bangalore Bio is the platform for the biotech sector to leverage partnering opportunities and forge new alliances.
It also presents an opportunity to showcase products, services, transform concepts into markets and explore investment avenues.
The theme for Bangalore Bio 2006 is DNA- Discover, Nurture, Accelerate.
The event this year includes a strong international participation from the European Union, Holland, France, UK, Germany, Japan, Belgium, Bavaria, Pennsylvania and Singapore. The domestic participation from various state governments including Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh has been confirmed so far.
This edition will comprise an international conference which will focus on Leveraging the Global Market to Extend Clinical Trials Research and Research Process Outsourcing, Drug Discovery and Development: Navigating the Drug Development Life Cycle from Bench to Bedside; Frontier Technologies: Bio-nanotechnology Genomics and Proteomics, Stem Cell, Theranostics- therapeutics & diagnostics, Intellectual Property Rights, Cross Border Regulatory Issues, Bio diversity conservation, Patenting, Biotechnology and Global Alliances, Country presentations; Portfolio Management: Shaping the future of the investment landscape in the Biotech industry; Bio Informatics: Data management and Exclusivity; Human Resource Development: Career development and industry-academia partnerships / human resource issues facing the industry building the talent pool etc.
The sessions would be addressed by Dr. Nermeen Varawala (vice president- business development, PRA International, UK); Dr. D.K. Srivastava (professor- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, North Dakota State University, USA); Dr K Shekar (director, Defense R&D Establishment); Dr. K.K. Tripathi (advisor, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India); Dr. Lakshmi Kumaran (consultant, Lakshmi Kumaran and Sridharan); Dr. Anil Paul Kariath (president Training Consulting, Founder Director Biozeen, Bangalore Biotech Labs Pvt. Ltd.); Dr. Naveen Rao (medical director, MSD Pharmaceuticals); Dr. Mohammed Alavijeh (co-founder and managing director, Pharmidex, UK); S. Abhaya Kumar (chairman, Life Cell India); Dr. Franck Molina ( Center for Pharmacology and health biotechnology, France); Simon Best ( chairman, Biotech Industry association , UK ) among others.
The sponsors for the event include Biocon, Avesthagen, UK Trade and Investment, Alfa Laval, Jetro, Jubilant Biosys, Sartorius, Strand Life Sciences, NASDAQ, Biozeen, Lab India, European Union and Royal Netherlands Embassy.
Bangalore Bio 2006 is also providing the much-needed importance to agriculture biotechnology. The event will also observe the Agri-biotech Day which has been conceptualized to strengthen trans national partnerships. On the occasion the programme will highlight the recent advances in molecular genetics, informatics, and genomics research have created many new possibilities for applying biotechnology in agriculture. The sessions will provide an insight on agri bio issues such as the transgenic crops and Agri Biotechnology; Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals; Bio energy and Bio Fuels; Bio Fertilizers and Bio Pesticides; IPR, Safety and Regulatory issues.
Among the ten speakers are Dr. Joseph Thomas (advisor, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai); Dr. C.S. Prakash (director, Center for Plant Biotechnology Research, College of Agriculture- Tuskegee University); Dr. Sujata Sankula (director- Biotechnology research Programs, National center for Food and Agricultural Policy, Washington DC); Dr. H.M. Behl (deputy director & RC- Secretary Head, Biomass Biology & Environmental Sciences, National Botanical Research Institute).
The event will also have a B2B Forum which is essentially a networking platform for buyers-sellers of various organizations. This 'Build your Business Forum' will bring together people across the industry. The forum can be also used to network with potential partners.
This year Bangalore Bio 2006 is adding an exclusive feature which is a 'Poster Session for Leader Prospects' in conjunction with the International Conference. The poster session provides a unique opportunity for young researchers, scientists and technocrats working in universities, R&D labs, various government departments or private sectors to share their innovation and research aimed at solving unmet problems, in the area of biotechnology, agriculture environment and health care. The best three abstracts will be felicitated at the 'Bio Awards Nite'.
The platform will also see presentation of papers on about 50 abstracts topics covering a Health Biotechnology; Cell Biology, Agri Biotech and Bioinformatics from reputed institutions from both India and abroad. The author of the short listed papers will be present at the venue for a one-on- one interaction.
The trade show at Palace Grounds will showcase technologies, products, research and services. The event is expected to attract over 150 participants and 20,000 visitors comprising of International Business Visitors, Trade Commission representatives of various countries and National participants from Industry Government and Academia.
The exhibitors' profile will cover all possible platforms of the biotech: Bio Nations and States; Bio Infrastructure; Process Engineering and Equipment; R & D; Bio Informatics; Clinical Research; Agri - Biotech; Education; Bio Pharma; Institutional Investors and VC Funds; Consulting and Allied Services; Diagnostics and Instrumentation.
A specifically designated area has been allocated for Agri Biotech. As the biotechnology industry unfolds, the thrust and challenges of trained and skilled human resources the event is also addressing the issues related to the talent requirement in the industry and opportunities available in the various fields of biotechnology.
It will also emphasize on the integration of the biotech industry and the academia to share the best human resources practices in the industry. The career forum will be an ideal platform to garner industry information, solicit career opportunities and seek self-growth.
To benefit students, professional bodies and the general public, the entry has been kept free and will be held at the exhibition venue on June 8 and 9, 2006. The Bio Awards Nite will recognise the contribution of eminent Padma Awardees for their outstanding achievements in the field of science & technology.
Awards for best stalls will be presented to the exhibitors for innovative stall designs and creative display of products.
The CEO Conclave is an exclusive industry get-together of distinguished people from the world of biotech with diverse backgrounds . On this occasion "Vision talk" will be delivered by Dr R A Mashelkar, director general, CSIR and secretary, DSIR. The evening will conclude with an industry networking dinner.