The unravelling of the Genetic Code of man and mice will impact the scientific world immensely and undoubtedly change the face of modern society. New insights into the biology of man allow scientists and doctors to better understand the molecular and genetic basis of diseases. Knowledge of cellular metabolism and signalling opens new frontiers in medicine and offers fresh perspectives on how to eradicate known diseases.

In his keynote address at the Biotech Invest-2003, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu at Hotel Grand Kakatiya on Friday, Dr William Chong, Managing Director, Pacific Healthcare Holdings, Singapore, said with advances in science and biotechnology, now many traditional diseases could be identified, contained and treated and life expectancy was much longer and more predictable. The paradigm had shifted and the focus was much on quality of life as it was on survival.

He said the last one decade had seen phenomenal advances in the field of science and technology and had significantly impacted mankind in areas like Internet and the field of Information Technology, human genome project and advances in biomedical research, medical diagnostics and biotechnology and pharmaceutical wonder drugs like Prozac and Viagra.

He said the trend towards cutting-edge technology must not be at the expense of patient-centric medical care. The healthcare service was not like any other industry and core values of care, compassion and community service must take precedence, he said.

Pacific Healthcare Holdings had signed a MoU in Singapore recently to start a Biomedical Research Centre with stem cell research facilities and a maternity hospital in Hyderabad.

The three-day International conference is jointly organised by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) and All-India Biotech Association, Southern Chapter. The conference is sponsored by Genome Valley, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and Ernst &Young.

Inaugurating the conference, Chandrababu Naidu said there would be a change in every field, thanks to the biotech revolution. He was confident this would happen in the near future. People might live even 300-400 years, he said to the amusement of the large gathering of scientists from India and 26 foreign countries.

He said out of 200 biotech companies in the country, about 70 were in Andhra Pradesh. He also praised the excellent lead given by companies like Bharat Biotech, Shanta Biotechnics and Dr Reddy's Lab in developing new drugs, vaccines and molecules. Hyderabad, he said, was the hub of Biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry.

The government had provided several facilities like the Genome Valley, ICICI Knowledge Park, the Biotech Park and created world-class infrastructure for setting up biotech units in Hyderabad. Several MoUs had been signed in the recent months to set up units in the Biotech Park.

Dr D Balasubramaniam, Director, L V Prasad Eye Institute, gave a presentation on "Indian Biotechnology Scenario - Focus on AP." He gave a brief account of the facilities being provided by the State Government to attract investors in the biotech sector. He said Institutions like CCMB, CDFD, NIN, the Hyderabad University were doing excellent research in biotechnology. His own LV Prasad Eye Institute had treated more than 100 patients using the stem cell route to give them sight.

Dr B S Bajaj, Chairman, All-India Biotech Association, Southern Chapter and organizing Chairman of Biotech Invest 2003, said the conference would give industrialists and scientific professionals an ideal platform to meet each other, identify opportunities and exchange views on the wealth of exciting new areas in the biotech sector. The various sessions that follow the inauguration would focus on the investment opportunities in biotechnology, including entrepreneurship, financial options, venture capitals, critical issues in product/process development, contract research and clinical trial opportunities.

K Vidyadhar Rao, Minister for Major Industries, the guest of honour, released the souvenir, while B Gopalakrishna Reddy, Minister for Biotechnology & SSI, released a Directory of Biotech industries and institutions in AP.

The conference also marked the launching by the Chief Minister of some bioproducts and bioprojects, which included Bronco-T, a herbal drug for Asthma by Surya Pharmaceuticals, Varanasi, a stem cell research project by the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, a National Animal Resource Facility for Biological Research at Genome Valley by ICMR and a project to set up a drug discovery centre by the San Diego-based Genomik Design Pharmaceuticals Ltd.