The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is organising its third Biotechnology Mission to the USA from June 3rd to 9, 2004. The delegation's visit will consist of one-to-one meetings and company visits in the first half, and coincide with the Annual International Convention 2004 being organised by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), USA, from 6-9th June 2004. BIO 2004 is expected to attract up to 20,000 top industry leaders, scientists, policy makers, academicians, and journalists from all areas of the life sciences industry.

As the official contact for BIO in the country, CII is coordinating an 'India Pavilion' at the BIO Exhibition. The Pavilion will provide an opportunity for companies and organisations from India, including State Governments to showcase the unique strengths India has in this arena.

CII is coordinating a special session at the main BIO conference, titled "Harnessing Human Resource Capabilities and Information Technology Prowess: Biotechnology in the Future".

In association with a US partner, CII is also organising a parallel conference that will focus on partnering opportunities between Indian and global companies and VCs.

CII has coordinated with BIO to have the CII delegation be accorded the status of an 'International Delegation at BIO'.

The United States has a flourishing Biotech Industry, currently estimated at $34.8 billion. The US hosts a number of companies that have exhibited exemplary growth and are models for many upcoming Indian companies today. India & the US have had strong ties in the past, especially in the field of IT and there is a tremendous potential for alliances and cooperation in the field of Biotechnology to strengthen this.