Heralding the success story of past conglomerations of life science companies, the hi-tech city of Hyderabad is once again adorned to host the Asia's premier biotechnology event, BioAsia 2007, with all pomp and glory. Popularly known as the global bio business forum, BioAsia is being organised jointly by the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FSBA), Government of Andhra Pradesh and University of Hyderabad with the help of the European Federation of Biotechnology.

Fourth of its kind, BioAsia 2007 will be held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre from February 15 to 17. The event is expected to provide a platform for national and international players in the biotechnology field to explore collaboration, strategic alliances and business development and outsourcing.

BioAsia 2007 is a three-day event that will host an international conference, business forum, CEO conclave, trade show and bio-banquet. More than 85 exhibitors, 700 conference delegates, 40 internationally acclaimed speakers and 3000trade visitors across the globe are expected to participate in the event.

The event will be a golden opportunity for the life science companies across the globe to showcase best of their products, services and technologies. Apart, the programme will facilitate interactions and business transactions among the biotechnology companies.

The upcoming convention of biotechnology companies will feature sessions on bio business, new frontiers in biotechnology and bio business opportunities in agri-biotechnology. The meet will also have a session on bio busi-ness funding opportunities, where in vice-chancellors and technology transfer advisers will share expectations with entrepreneurs on making business ideas a reality and available funding options.

BioAsia 2007 has an exclusive chapter to explore business opportunities in Asia with FSBA as the facilitator and participation from its members, including Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Saudi Arabia China and Taiwan, said the organizers.

The ever growing popularity of BioAsia is evident from the rise in its participants, noted the organizers. This time the organizers expect the presence of Canada, Finland and Holland in the event.

Experts to be present at the BioAsia 2007 include M.K. Bhan, secretary, Department of Bio-technology, Anwar Nassim, chairman, National Commission of Bio-technology, Pakistan, Andrew Parratt, director, Institute of Bio-technology, Deakin University, Australia, Chris Lowe, director, Institute of Bio-technology, University of Cambridge, Rodney Carbis of International Vaccine Institute, Korea and Wu Xinzhong of Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hanzhou, China.