BioAsia 2004, a global bio business forum and the inaugural biotech event of the government of Andhra Pradesh will be held in Hyderabad from February 26 to 28, 2004. BP Acharya, secretary, Industries & Commerce, government of Andhra Pradesh and Dr D Balasubramanian, chairman, Biotech Advisory Committee announced BioAsia 2004, Asia's biggest biotechnology event

Promoted by the state government and Genome Valley, Hyderabad, BioAsia 2004 will serve as an ideal platform for companies and technologists from across the globe to transact business, build global alliances and collaborations, showcase products & services, and network with industry leaders, research scientists and media analysts.

BioAsia will consist of a tradeshow, a conference, a B2B forum and a Knowledge pavilion. Over 100 exhibitors are to take part, and nearly 500 conference delegates are expected. Over 60 internationally acclaimed speakers will also deliver lectures and around 15,000 visitors from across the globe are expected along with representatives from over 20 leading biotech countries.

The International Tradeshow at BioAsia is focused on enabling business transactions, facilitating exhibitors from all over the world to showcase their products and services. According to the organizers, out of a total exhibition space of 1044 sq.mt, 574 sq.mt is booked by various exhibitors.

The BioAsia conference is stated to cover topics such as: Biotechnology in Asia: Partners in progress; Creative Out partnering: Building and managing partnerships for future growth; Vaccine Industry in Asia: A look at the growth perspective; Commercialization of GMOs: Incentives & Thrust areas /future directions and issues regarding GM Organisms; Building a successful biotech company in today's marketplace: Vital role of VC funding etc.

Out of 70 speakers, 32 are international speakers. Prominent guests/speakers for the BioAsia conference include Dr MS Swaminathan, Dr RA Mashelkar, Prof William Rutter, and Dr Manju Sharma among others.

The B2B Forum at BioAsia is expected to focus on investment opportunities in the bio pharmaceutical industry in India. Venture capitalists, financial institutions and other investors are widely expected to participate in this forum. The B2B Forum is scheduling one-to-one sessions between the participants of the programme. Delegations from Iowa, San Francisco, North Carolina, Israel, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand have already confirmed their participation.