BioAsia 2004, the global bio business forum, organized jointly by the Andhra Pradesh government, All India Biotech Association-Southern Chapter and Ernst & Young, held in Hyderabad between February 26-28, resulted in the signing of 10 MoUs involving top Indian and international companies.

The Forum aimed at facilitating strategic alliances, collaborations in technology transfers, clinical trials, outsourcing products or processes, contract research and R&D collaborations, attracting investment opportunities in biopharma industry in India, encouraging entrepreneurs to invest in biotech sector and motivate venture capitalists, financial institutions and other investors to support and invest in India.

The first business alliance signed at the BioAsia 2004 was the one between the Hyderabad based Suven Life Sciences and Tranzyme Pharma, USA for a collaborative effort in the area of drug discovery. Following which, the city-based Transgene Biotek of has signed an MoU with Genom Health Science, USA (engaged in the business of small molecules development) to explore the future business opportunities of the molecules developed by both companies.

Memory Plus Biopharma (MPB) of Chennai has signed a MoU with TCM Wellness Invest, Singapore. MPB has the patented technology to manufacture the health drink 'Dr NO Cola'. The Singapore partner will have 50 per cent equity stake in the venture, and will market the product outside in addition to assisting in establishing manufacturing units in countries like China, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.

AVRA Laboratories of Hyderabad has signed a MoU with Kard Scientific of USA. AVRA is engaged in synthesis and development of new molecules and process development, scale up etc. Kard will provide contract research and contract manufacturing from North America.

The All India Biotech Association, New Delhi and National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka have signed a MoU, and the scope of joint venture includes mutual cooperation, exchange of information, establishment of partnerships etc. Genome Valley, Andhra Pradesh Government and National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka have signed a MoU, which will work towards sharing knowledge and foster biotechnology in both the countries.

Biological E of Hyderabad has signed a MoU with Amson Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals of Pakistan. The partners would work on anti-snake venom serum and other vaccines.

Sipra Labs of Hyderabad and Kard Scientific of USA have signed a MoU. Kard Scientific, engaged in pre-clinical drug development, sales and innovation will utilize facilities of Sipra to conduct pre-clinical and clinical studies.

Transgene Biotek and National Vaccine Development and Production Task Force, Government of Pakistan have signed a MoU for technology transfer, recombinant and therapeutic proteins for biotech companies in Pakistan.

The All India Biotech Association and Biotechnology Association of Alabama have signed another collaborative agreement for mutual co-operation, exchange of information, establishment of partnerships etc.

Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel has signed Letter of Intent (LOI) with three companies- Natco Pharma of Hyderabad, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics of Hyderabad and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Weizmann and TCS would work together in the bioinformatics field. Kard Scientific has signed a LOI with Microbax India of Hyderabad. Kard will offer its expertise in pre-clinical studies to Microbax in conducting studies for its molecules. On the concluding day of the Forum, the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations was ormed.