The Maharashtra government and CII would be organising a Biotechnology Conference with an objective to create awareness amongst leading international and domestic industry about the state's strengths and opportunities for investment. The government is also observing November 14, 2002 as a Biotechnology Day.

CII recognise that Maharashtra has been amongst the few states to recognize the opportunity offered by biotechnology as a prospective and suitable industrial segment for developing the full economic potential of the state.

The conference would address the Role of India in world-class research and development, Biotechnology - Vision for India, BioAdvantage - Maharashtra, Development of Potential Anti Cancer Drugs & Taking them through Human Clinical Trails, and Bio-Informatics - A role for Indian R&D.

The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Vilasrao Deshmukh would be the Chief Guest. Dr R A Mashelkar will be the keynote speaker. In addition that programme will be addressed by Ajay Piramal, Chairman & Managing Director, Nicholas Piramal India Ltd., Ranjit Sahani, Chief Executive Officer, Novartis India Ltd., Dr. Susan Kling Finston, Associate Vice President - Intellectual Property, PhRMA, Dr Ananda Mohan Chakrabarty, Distinguished Professor, University of lllinois, Chicago.