Karnataka’s government has rechristened the Bangalore Bio event as Bangalore India Bio 2010. The name change comes going by the rapid growth of the sector in the last decade not only on a national level but from a global perspective. The event in its 10 edition will be held between June 2 and 4, 2010 at Hotel Lalit Ashok, Bangalore.

The key objective of the name change was because biotechnology industry was pegged as the one of the key focus areas for the country. The sector is an inflection point and set to touch the Rs. 20,000 crore ($5 billion) turnover in 2010. The sector was valued at Rs 12,137 crore in fiscal 2008-9. Under the Vision 2015 strategy, we are looking at the sector to be Rs. 40,000 crore ($10 billion). Biotech industry together with bio-pharma manufacture, bio services, bio medical devices and bio informatics has been the growth driver for the economy, said Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson, Vision Group on Biotechnology, government of Karnataka and CMD Biocon Limited.

According to Shaw, the future growth area for biotech are diagnostics, drug discovery and development, food security, renewable fuels, climate change that will drive use of green technologies,. “Biotech is both a technology for the present and future. Going by the focus areas of the future, this sector will help the Indian economy to spur growth, she added.

The new additions to the event are Vision 2015 Leadership Series which will bring heads of the Biotech Industry in India and abroad to create a roadmap for India to succeed in global market and Podium presentations to be made by the start-up companies to portray technology and capability.

The state’s flagship event for the biotech sector had around 350 companies participate through its exhibition, conference and delegates. “ India is an important destination for the biotech industry worldwide. Over the years, Bangalore Bio has turned out to be a platform for the Indian and International Biotech Industry to develop strategic alliances and is being recognized as a hub for innovations & collaborations. Bangalore India Bio 2010 will play a major role in business development for India in the global biotech arena”. Therefore, Bangalore Bio is now most aptly renamed “Bangalore India Bio,”said Ashok Kumar C Manoli, Principal Secretary to Government, Department of IT, Biotechnology and S&T, Government of Karnataka.

Global experts from the Industry, Research and Regulatory spheres will participate in Bangalore India Bio 2010 enabling knowledge sharing and creating networking opportunities. This year, over 150 exhibitors, 800 delegates and around 5000 business visitors are expected to participate from across India and internationally. This year, there has been response from Latin American countries and more number of companies for the Asia Pac region. Other country participants include USA, Canada, UK, France, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Germany, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea & UAE.

The event will have International Exhibition, Multi-Track Conference, BioPartnering India, CEO Conclave, Bio-IP Zone, Poster Session and Bio-Excellence Awards Function.

The multi-track conference will address focus areas on BioPartnering India, Bio Collaborations with India, Biopharmaceuticals, Optimizing Biomanufacturing and Harmonization with Global Regulations. The Agribiotech Day is re-introduced with focus on Biotechnology for Food Security, Green Biotechnology and Bioenergy/Biofuels.

After the phenomenal success of last year with over 600 scheduled one-to-one meetings, Technology Vision Group, USA in collaboration with MM Activ has planned the BioParterning India (BPI), to facilitate one-to-one business meetings as well as podium presentations by companies from India and overseas.

After the success of the Bio-IP Zone initiative in the previous edition, the event will enable leading national and international IP firms to address issues related to Licensing, Valuation, Patents, Trademarks & Copyright. It will also help biotech companies to unlock the commercial value in their IPs.

The event is organized by the Karnataka department of information technology, biotechnology and science & technology along with MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications.