The curtains for the Asia's premier biotechnology event - Bio Asia 2008 - would go up on February 7, 2008 at International Convention Centre, Hyderabad. Heralded as the global bio business forum, Bio Asia has grown in popularity and participation over the past years. Dr B S Bajaj, secretary general, Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) and convener of BioAsia 2008 in an interview to Chronicle Pharmabiz talked in detail on various aspects of Bio Asia 2008, apart from providing a clear picture of biotech industry in India against the background of policies and strides the industry is making in the country. Excerpts:
What are your strategies to make Bio Asia 2008 a success story?
We are moving heaven and earth to attract as many delegates as possible to make Bio Asia 2008 a unique one in its history. Also, efforts are on to bring together all the member countries of Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) to exchange the information on the resource utilisation and management of resources for mutual benefits. We have also made every possible effort to facilitate grater interaction among entrepreneurs, venture capital and innovators and researchers to promote the understanding of each others problems as a measure to ensure the success of Bio Asia 2008.
How would the event equip the industry to meet the challenges and identify upcoming opportunities?
First of all, Bio Asia 2008 as a platform for interaction between people related to biotech industry would help each one understand each others roles and problems, enabling them to formulate a growth strategy. Besides, the B2B meetings arranged for bio partnering would facilitate meetings between entrepreneurs and the product development. Such meetings are sure to promote investments in biotech industry in the state.
Apart, Bio Asia 2008 has much more to offer the biotech industry in the country. For instance, the applied research is not the end of a product development. On the contrary, it generates new questions for scientists to focus their research. Meetings like Bio Asia bring out such issues. It creates a new platform for generating new questions in science and enables creation of new technologies or improves the existing technologies.
What makes Hyderabad as the preferred locale to host Bio Asia series?
To be specific, we are taken up by the cosmopolitan nature of the city and a proactive government that is keen on promoting novel technologies for the development of the region, apart from the government's initiatives to offer incentives to Genome Valley entrepreneurs. Besides, this hi-tech city has already established its mark on the biotech map in the country with its world-class research institutes like, CCMB, CDFD and IICT and availability of increased manpower in life science and biotechnology related sciences.
Also, Hyderabad has a number of Universities in its kitty like Hyderabad University, AP Agriculture University, Osmania University and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. These universities have always accepted the challenges of modern science and are never hesitant to revise their curriculum to prepare the youth for world class research. All these factors coupled with success stories of Dr Reddy's labs in bulk drugs and Shantha Biotechnics in Hepatitis B vaccine development, increasing number of firms prepared to establish R&D for innovation and zeal for logical reasoning and innovation in the people of the region cast a spell on us to prefer Hyderabad to host Bio Asia series.
How relevant is Bio Asia series as a platform for collaboration, strategic alliances and business development and outsourcing?
The world history always provides evidence that a continuous interaction and dialogue between the functional organisations of different countries would provide a sustained platform for promoting amity and collaboration. And that's what Bio Asia does. Though Bio Asia is only four years young, it has sufficient achievements to its credit in bringing different nations like Pakistan, Iran, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Turkey and Thailand under one roof to discuss biotech related issues. Besides, increased number of participants from countries like Europe, Australia and USA, apart from member countries of FABA speaks volumes for the impact of Bio Asia on collaborative front at the global level.
Where does Indian biotech industry stand on the global biotech map? If possible, detail it against the backdrop of policies and strides we are making in this field?
The Indian biotechnology made its presence on the world map in 1997, when Hyderabad-based Shantha Biotechnics launched the indigenously developed hepatitis B vaccine - Shanvac. The country has already become a global leader in the production of recombinant vaccines. The Serum Institute of India, Shantha Biotechnics and Panacea Biotech have been qualified by WHO and UNICEF as vaccine manufacturers and these organisations purchase the vaccines from these institutes at competitive prices.
The proven strengths in computer science and large number of trained manpower in life science research is giving advantage to the country in bioinformatics and it is likely to play a key role in outsourcing business in this sector. Several pharmaceutical companies and research centres are already making advances in establishing the computer based drug designing programmes in their activities. The Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology has been active in developing the databases on genetic profiles of the diverse populations of India.
The proactive promotion policies of the Government of India and several state governments are resulting in a favourable environment for the growth of biotech industry in the country.
Presently, biopharmaceuticals is the main focus of biotech industry. Also, increased research in crop science and neutraceuticals is making the agriculture and food science as important areas of development in biotech industry in India.
The Indian government has earmarked funds for soft loans under the Technology Development Board. Several state governments, including A.P., Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka have evolved policies encouraging the R&D and investments in biotech area.
Would Bio Asia 2008 address the contentious issues prevalent in the biotech industry? If yes, how?
Stem cell technologies, which are still contentious issues across the nations, would be addressed at Bio Asia 2008. This year's Nobel Laureate Sir Martin Evans would talk on embryonic stem cells at the conference. Besides, GM crops and patent related issues are continued focus of the conference.
How far Bio Asia has grown as the global bio business forum?
In the four years since its birth, Bio Asia has facilitated signing of several memorandum of understanding (MOU) and accords, resulting in an overall investment of Rs 2050 crore in Andhra Pradesh. Another Rs 2000 crore is in pipeline at different stages.
Is the response of global biotech industry to Bio Asia encouraging? Can you give us an idea of foreign participation at Bio Asia?
The number of foreign participants in the conference during 2007 was 82 from 32 countries. There is an increased presence of delegates from different countries across the world. The number of delegates from different countries during Bio Asia 2008 as on date is 75 and many more are expected.
How encouraging is the response of domestic biotech companies to Bio Asia?
It is catching up. There are hiccups in the initial development, which are being minimised year after year.
Do you think Bio Asia would achieve more relevance in the coming years? How?
Of course. Past four year's achievements encourage us to be optimistic. There is increased communication among people of various regions and from various areas of activity.