The fourth edition of Asia’s premier biotech event Bangalore Bio 2004 from April 15-17, 2004 expects 30 countries to participate in the international expo making it perhaps the region’s largest and most well attended expo. With seven countries already indicating support for the event through their respective trade bodies, the event is sure to attract several developed and developing country representatives in the ensuing months. Countries that have since endorsed Bangalore Bio 2004 include United States, Germany, France, Belgium, Denmark, Singapore, and Canada.

“Our participation at BIO 2003 at Washington D.C. in June this year, excellent feedback from participants of our most recent show Bangalore Bio 2003, and tremendous support from the media have brought enormous credibility to Bangalore Bio. Bangalore Bio 2004 will encash the opportunity at hand for the entire Indian Biotech Community”, stated D.B. Inamdar, Hon’ble Minister of IT & Tourism, Govt. of Karnataka at a press conference held here to announce next year’s event.

Welcoming next year’s participants and also announcing the event website www.bangalorebio2004.com, Vivek Kulkarni, Secretary - IT & Biotechnology, Govt. of Karnataka, stated, “Bangalore Bio has helped retain the Indian biotech industry’s place on the world stage. In just four years, I am happy that the event has emerged as a credible, international show that successfully showcases India to the world. The size and quality of next year’s show will help India dig deeper into the $7 billion opportunity in biotechnology”.

The conference of Bangalore Bio 2004 will improve upon it’s earlier editions, laying due emphasis on the technology and business opportunity that the Indian biotechnology industry should take advantage of. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson of the Vision Group on Biotechnology of the Govt. of Karnataka, states, “I am happy to announce that Frost & Sullivan, international consultants to several life science, biotech and pharma companies have been chosen as the knowledge partner of Bangalore Bio 2004. This will serve as a discernible value addition to the content, theme, topics and speakers of the conference of Bangalore Bio 2004”.

Acknowledging their role as Knowledge Partner, Aditya Sapru, Director, Frost & Sullivan, India, stated, “Frost & Sullivan is honoured to be the Knowledge Partner for Bangalore Bio2004. It will be our endeavour to leverage our experience and association of four decades with the global biotech community, to ensure a best of breed congregation at Bangalore Bio 2004. This will address the needs of the Indian biotech industry. We see the event as a perfect launch pad for the industry to showcase its achievements and reiterate Bangalore's position as a premier global cluster. We are excited to play the role of a catalyst in this process”.

The event expects to attract several trade delegations from overseas and other parts of India. This is aimed at doubling the networking-and-transactions opportunity across the board. Also invited to participate at the expo are other Indian states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Punjab, Rajastan, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Chattisgarh and West Bengal.

The Tradeshow of Bangalore Bio 2004 at Palace Grounds, Bangalore will cover nearly 6000 sq. mtrs of built up area. Of this nearly 3000 sq. mtrs will be taken up by exhibitors. Almost one third of the tradeshow space has already been booked, and the tradeshow has already received ITPO approval. Sartorius, Novozymes, Trigen, Aurigene, Biocon, Contact Singapore, Rabo Bank are some of the companies who have already indicated active support for the event.

For a second year in a row, United States Commercial Services, Washington D.C has granted certification for Bangalore Bio. The USCS department through all its offices in USA, Canada and elsewhere will now promote Bangalore Bio 2004 among US biotech and life science companies urging them to participate as part of a US Pavilion at the Tradeshow. Donald Huber, Manager, Trade Fair Certification, USCS, has written to say, “The US Department of Commerce endorses Bangalore Bio 2004 as an excellent opportunity to showcase US products and services. We wish you every success in increasing participation by US exhibitors particularly new-to-market firms, through this show”.

Bangalore Bio 2004 expects 150 exhibition participants, 500 delegates, 30 countries, 9 Indian states, 20,000 trade visitors and 30,000 general visitors, at the three-day tradeshow, conference, B2B forum and knowledge pavilion.