The ICICI Knowledge Park, Hyderabad is organizing a three-day International Knowledge Millennium Conference (IKMC) 2004 at Hyderabad from October 31 to November 2, 2004. The theme of the conference is "Biotechnology in India-Building Bridge between Science & Industry". The event, organized every two years, will emphasise on the science of biotechnology and its implementation in the 'real world' applications, this year.

The Conference is to focus on areas such as- industrial biotechnology, cell processing technology, applications of biotechnology to medicinal plants, bio generics and biofuels, technology transfers and entrepreneurship. About 31 eminent speakers from top US and Indian biotech companies, universities and government will talk on key issues that concern the industry.

G Steven Burrill, founder, Burrill & Company is to deliver the keynote address. Dr MK Bhan, secretary-DBT and Prof V Rama Murthy, secretary-DST are also to take part in the event. Valedictory address will be given by Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. Over 300 participants are expected to attend the event. Members representing financial institutions, global venture capital companies, biotech industry and government agencies are to take part.

Dr Bala S Manian, founder ReaMetrix Inc is the chairman of the steering committee for this event, and the members include N Vaghul- chairman ICICI Bank and ICICI Knowledge Park, Dr Ashok S Ganguly- chairman ICICI OneSource and Director- ICICI Park, Dr RA Mashelkar-director general-CSIR, Renuka Ramnath-MD and CEO- ICICI Venture, R Rajamani-director of ICICI Park and Deepanwita Chattopadhyay-CEO of the ICICI Park.

The series of the International Knowledge Millennium Conference has started with its first event in 2002 with the theme, Drug Discovery and Healthcare in the Knowledge Economy-India opportunities. It may be noted that ICICI Bank and the State Government of Andhra Pradesh have jointly set up the ICICI Knowledge Park to give boost to innovation and business driven R & D.

Interested participants can register themselves at www.ikmc2004.com.