The three-day biotech exposition Bangalore Bio 2003 may see the possible absence of notable international speakers who are forced to keep away on account of the embargo on travel and the scare of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). But the event is expected to be on according to the scheduled dates as the main objective of the show is to profile the Indian biotech sector''s capabilities.

The biggest disappointment for this year''s Bangalore Bio 2003 is the Gulf War and SARS (sever acute respiratory syndrome) scare which has actually put quite a damper on the participants. Some of the speakers from the United States and Sweden who had agreed to come here have now refused to travel. These include Karen Bernstein, president, Biocentury Inc., David Flores, CEO Biocentury, USA and Prof. Outi Hovatta, Karolinska Institute, Sweden who are forced to drop out because mainly because of the travel embargo.

But despite the absence of a few people, we still have a good number of participants and the country pavilions will be there, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, head Vision Group on Biotechnology, government of Karnataka and chairman and managing director Biocon India Group told Chronicle Pharmabiz.

We have no intentions to postpone the event because of the absence of international participants. This is because Bangalore Bio 2003 essentially showcases Indian biotechnology companies. We must under all circumstances have the event on the scheduled dates in mid-April as it is important for us also to have a forum where we have an interactive participation of all the biotech companies. Apart from this, it is also important to take stock of our own successes of biotechnology in Bangalore and Karnataka in particular in terms of investments and developments.

While only a handful of participants from US and Sweden have declined to participate, those from France, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Singapore will be there. Dr. David Martin Junior, CEO EOS Biotech and Chairman, Gangagen Inc. will be the dinner speaker at the CEO Conclave held on the inaugural day, April 15, informed Shaw.