With over 100 delegates participating in the 'interactive session for collaboration', which was part of the International Conference on Emerging Trends in Biotechnology Stem Cells - Technology, Potential & Trends organized by All India Biotech Association (AIBA - SR) at Hyderabad recently, stage has been set for the development of stem cell based research/applications in the country, feels Dr B S Bajaj, chairman, AIBA - SR.

According to him the interaction had brought together about 25 pharma/biotech companies and corporate hospitals and 45 representatives from R&D institutions engaged in stem cell research across the world. Though the exact number of contracts and collaborations that have taken place would be clear only after several months, the chances of Indian companies and corporate hospitals setting up stem cells research and application units in the country has become very high, he claims. "Since stem cell research is in its beginning stages, it may take some time before any commercial ventures can be established. But the turnout for the interaction, which was the first of its kind in the country, was really promising, " he said.

The presence of venture capitalists/funding agencies had also added to the quality and purposefulness of the interactive session.

The organizers had arranged for 10 interactive sessions for collaboration on the occasion. The areas of interest were embryonic stem cell and research, cardiology / cardiovascular, clinical applications, liver/pancreas, muscle/bone/tissue, neurology, oncology, regulatory/ethical issues, venture capital and funding and general. Among the companies and hospitals that attended are Protima Group of Companies, Medgene Biotech Pvt Limited, Natco Pharma, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, Global Hospitals, Bhagwan Mahavir Medical Research Centre, Genemedix Biological Pvt Ltd., Genehelic Bioinformatics, Owaisi Hospitals, Virchow Laboratories Limited, Ind Clone Biotech India Pvt Limited etc.

The R&D institutions that participated in the event includes Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), National Institute of Immunology, National Centre for Cell Sciences, National Brain research Centre, National Institute of Health (USA) and Cardiff School of Biosciences (UK).

Dr Bajaj said that the turnout for the conference was tremendous with about 450 delegates attending the inaugural session.

The co-organisers of the programme were the Government of Andhra Pradesh, CCMB, CDFD and University of Hyderabad.