Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have announced biotech delegations to USA in April 2006. While the FICCI Biotech Delegation is to tour United States during April 4-7, the CII team is on its 5th Biotechnology Mission to USA from April 6-12, 2006. According to FICCI release, its delegation of Indian Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical companies is to hold interactions with the US companies on "India: the Biotech Opportunity" as well as "India as the R&D Destination".
The FICCI has planned the launch of Indo-US Biotechnology/ Pharma Working Group (Part of Indo-US High Technology Cooperation Group) and an industry Roundtable on "Indo US S&T Collaboration". An interaction with Biotech Association of -Massachusetts has also been scheduled.
Meanwhile, CII informs that its Annual Biotech Mission to USA (organized since last four years) will coincide with the Annual Convention of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) to be held in Chicago from April 9-12, 2006. CII is the official contact for BIO for Indian participation and 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 has planned an "India Evening" as an effort towards projecting Indian capability and prowess in biotechnology and creating partnering opportunities between Indian and global companies. Meetings and Company visits are also planned in Washington DC and Chicago prior to start of BIO. The BIO 2006, featuring more than 1,500 exhibiting organizations, 150 sessions and representation from over 61 countries promises to be the world's largest biotech partnering forum. Chicago the venue of BIO 2006 boasts of a thriving biopharmaceutical industry and is home to an unparalleled network of research centers, CII has stated.
Union Minister of Science and Technology Kapil Sibal is the chief patron of both the missions.