Dr M Vidyasagar, executive vice president, Tata Consultancy Services, has been elected as the president of the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE).

In the executive council meeting held early this month, the association announced the election of its offices bearers for the next three years. This is the third executive council of ABLE since its inception in 2003.

The other office bearers are Mani Iyer, executive director, Intas Biopharmaceuticals Ltd as vice president; Anuradha Acharya, managing director, Ocimum Biosolutions as treasurer; and Dr P M Murali, managing director, Evolva Biotech Pvt Ltd as general secretary.

The other members of the executive council are: Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon Ltd; Dr Rashmi H Barbhaiya, MD, Advinus Therapeutics Pvt Ltd, Dr Vijay Chandru, chairman & CEO, Strand Life Sciences Pvt Ltd; Nitin Deshmukh ,CEO, Private Equity, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Prof Subba Rao, president R&D, Bigtec Pvt Ltd; Dr K K Narayanan, managing director, Metahelix Life Sciences; Pramod Chaudhari, chairman & managing director, Praj Industries; and Sarath Naru, managing director, Ventureast Fund Advisors India Pvt Ltd.

The Indian biotechnology industry will play an increasingly major role on the global stage in years to come. Even in the current economic situation, the India cost advantage remains as compelling as ever. Going forward, India will be attractive not just for its low cost but also for its intellectual contributions, stated Dr Vidyasagar.

The primary objective of ABLE is to accelerate the pace of growth of the Biotechnology Industry in India, through encouraging entrepreneurship and greater investment in the sector, providing a platform for domestic and overseas companies to explore collaborations and ventures, partnering with the Government of India in their biotechnology endeavours and forging stronger links between academia and industry.