Government of Andhra Pradesh and Genome Valley, Hyderabad is ready to host BioAsia 2004, the global bio-business forum, at Taj Krishna, Hyderabad from February 26 - 28, 2004. True to its theme of "Bringing Asia and the global biotech community together by bridging the development divide," the summit will be witness to participation by speakers and delegates from across the world.
The three-day summit will witness the convergence of global thought leaders, academia, experts of the Indian and international biotech industry who will discuss challenges, experiences, investments, best practices and customer expectations in the biotechnology space. The summit will underscore the potential opportunities that India offers to biotech companies seeking to expand their operations, not just statewide but to markets throughout India and abroad.
The summit will be inaugurated by Surjit Singh Barnala, Governor of Andhra Pradesh. The government will also issue allotment letters to companies that have received plots at ICICI Knowledge Park and SP Biotech Park. Dr M S Swaminathan, UNESCO Cousteau Chair in Ecotechnology and Prof William Rutter, CEO, Synogenics LLC will be conferred the prestigious Genome Valley Excellence Award for their outstanding contribution in the field of biotechnology.
At the BioAsia 2004, more than 70 eminent scientists and business leaders, from diverse backgrounds, will present and exchange views on issues as myriad as marine biotechnology, molecular genetics, photodynamic therapy, to new paradigms in biopharmaceutical business, venture funding et al. Amongst other topics that will be discussed, special focus will be on outsourcing, genetically modified organisms, vaccines and drug development.
The forum will witness prominent speakers like Dr. R A Mashelkar, director general, CSIR, Dr. M S Swaminathan, UNESCO Cousteau Chair in Ecotechnology Prof William Rutter, CEO, Synogenics LLC, Stephan Lawton, General Counsel BIO, USA, Prof. Li Fang Dong, deputy director, Paulownia Research and Development of China, Dr. Takashi Yohkaichiya, senior executive VP and chief medical officer, Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories Ltd., Tokyo, Dr. Bruce Whitelaw, Roslin Institute, Department of Gene Expression and Development, Edinburg, Vipin Garg, president & CEO, Tranzyme, USA, Dr. Jai Nagarkatti, president, Sigma-Aldrich Scientific Research among others.
"BioAsia 2004 - Business Forum" has also been successful in attracting trade delegations from 15 countries including 50 delegations. This will involve one-to-one interaction to facilitate collaboration and alliances between the 'seekers' and 'providers' both Indian and international for technology, products, equipment, services and financing etc in the field of emerging biotechnology in addition to providing a platform for exchange of information and knowledge. The countries that have already confirmed participation in the bio business forum are USA, Israel, Italy, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
"BioAsia 2004 was conceived as a platform for bridging the Asian and Global biotech communities to interact, share knowledge and explore opportunities for co-operation. We have been successful in attracting over 500 delegates and over 100 students from 25 countries which reflects the mood of the biotech industry to collaborate across boundaries," said Mr. B P Acharya, Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Government of Andhra Pradesh.