The Executive Council of the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), the apex body of the biotech sector in India today announced that entries for its prestigious biotech (BT) innovation awards will be accepted till December 31, 2012 from Indian as well as global biotech innovators. The finalists for the best BT Innovations will be shortlisted in February and the winners will be awarded at the gala event being planned to commemorate 10 years of ABLE in March 2013.
ABLE India plans to create a platform to recognize and award the best work by biotech professionals from India as well globally and instill the significance of biotech innovations by institutionalizing ‘Best Biotech Innovations of the 21st Century (2001 – 2012)’. Entries in 15 categories for biotech innovations are invited and the best innovations will be shortlisted based on various parameters. A Jury Panel comprising of national and International experts will select the Awardees.
The various categories include Biologics, Bioagriculture (Agronomic – linked to productivity), Bioagriculture (Quality / nutrition - Feed / Food), Biofuels, Clean Technology, BioInformatics, Regenerative Medicine, Public Private Initiatives, Investments / Financing, Diagnostics, Medical devices, Omics, Regulations / Acts / Rules / Promotion /Advocacy by Governments or Private associations or NGOs at State / National / Regional or International level, Education / Training / Skill development, Synthetic biology.
The parameters used will be criticality, positive and significant footprint on health, agriculture, food, feed or environment, significant socio-economic impact at the bottom of the pyramid, applicability - mitigates a current problem, Ingenuity in the process of Innovation, enabler - system wide impact - adds significant value to the existing ecosystem of Innovations in its field of application, sustainability - long term impact, efficiency - in terms of cost and resources, cost benefit ratio.
Dr P M Murali, president, ABLE India said, “We are delighted to announce the first of its kind biotech innovation awards to recognise the work of professionals not just from India but also from abroad. The developing bio economy is not only about product and service innovations but also those in other enabling fields like Investment /finance, education and policy initiatives of various governments. A whole eco-system is required for Innovations to flourish and to be translated into real benefits for our society. In our endeavor to showcase ABLE’s commitment to improving the biotechnology landscape in India, we are very happy to launch this award. A publication is also planned that will be released on March 11, 2013.”
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon and Member National Innovation Council of India, said, “Biotechnology has the potential to bring in transformational change that enables well-being of the people and the world economy. To unleash the power of Biotechnology, innovative ideas need to be encouraged and rewarded. Through ‘Best Biotech Innovations Award’ by ABLE, we aim to provide a platform for biotech scientists and others to showcase their innovative solutions that can truly address some of the major challenges the world is facing today in the areas of agriculture, healthcare, energy security, education and others. I encourage the biotechnology community to participate in this. I am confident through this platform we will be able to identify some great innovations which will possibly have a much wider application, going forward.”
This is a unique opportunity for the biotech professionals to showcase their best work over the last 12 years and compete at a global level.