Bangalore India Bio 2012 has now advanced its event schedule to February 6-8, 2012 from the customary dates in mid-April. This year’s event theme, ‘India- the emerging Bio Economy’ will focus on creation of job opportunities and encourage investments in start-ups.

The 11th edition of the three day event organized by the government of Karnataka department of IT, BT, S&T Vision Group on Biotechnology and MM Active are yet to finalize the venue which could either be the Bangalore Helix, the state government’s biotech park or the Hotel Lalit Ashok.

The theme of the event was devised keeping in mind the emergence of a new era where challenges of spiralling healthcare costs and food prices need to be addressed. “India having entrenched itself as a major hub for innovation and collaboration is now emerging as a bio-economy. This is where the country needs businesses that will drive the economy. Investing in innovation only can build a sustainable future,” stated Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, chairperson, Vision Group on Biotechnology, government of Karnataka and CMD, Biocon Limited at the curtain raiser of the 2012 show.

While the event has been portraying a rich tapestry of the varied aspects in biotechnology, there would be an additional interest for bioinformatics, biostatistics and pharmaconomics at the 2012 show as these areas of growth which will drive the biotech industry, she added.

Over the years, there has been an increase in participation from countries. This year, there would be a large delegation from the US led by US India Business Council (USIBC) which is the international partner. The organizers are also scouting for entries from South Africa, Dubai, Israel and the SAARC countries which are huge potential markets for Indian biotech products.

According to Shaw, India needs to highlight its robust regulatory frameworks and ethics guidelines to communicate with many international companies about the stringent standards adhered to by the industry here.

The key strengths of Indian biotech which generated revenues to the tune of Rs.20,000 crore ($5 billion) in 2010-2011 are vaccines, diagnostics, drug delivery devices, biosimilars and bio fuels. It is here the Bangalore Bio India 2012 theme ‘India- the emerging Bio Economy’ would attract start-ups and innovator companies because it is the future of Indian biotech industry, said Shaw.

Over the last decade, the Bangalore India Bio is viewed as a key platform to connect with global and domestic life sciences industries, scientific community, policy makers and regulators and several Indian biotech states. The multi track conference, international trade show, BioPartnering India, Vision Leadership Series, CEO Conclave, Poster Session, Bio Quiz, Bio Excellence Awards and the Industry Trail will be main components of the annual event.