A 12-member Australian Life sciences and Health care delegation is visiting India from 15 to 19 September to promote Australia's research capability and innovative technologies, and to help develop new trade and investment opportunities.

The business delegation is a flagship activity of the Australian innovation showcase in India 2014. This is an initiative of the Australian Trade commission and the Australian Government.

The Australian Life sciences and Health care Mission delegates represent leading Australian research institutions, lifesciences companies, universities, and healthcare advisers. They will meet with Indian industry representatives in Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi, and Ahmedabad.

The delegates have diverse expertise across neuroimaging and genomics; tropical disease research; translational research focused on cancer and neuroscience; novel inhalable reformulations of generic drugs; biomarker discovery; drug discovery of peptide medicines; novel medical devices, education and training and healthcare infrastructure.

Particular opportunities for partnership are available in oncology, neurosciences tropical medicines, medical devices, clinical trials, and development research. Australia also offers healthcare education, training and expertise in hospital and specialized healthcare infrastructure and facilities, including assisted living.

Speaking about the mission, Ms Nicola Watkinson, senior trade and investment commissioner - South Asia, Australian Trade commission said, "This is the largest concentration of Australian scientific and research know-how to be showcased in lndia in the lifesciences sector. The interest from India's lifesciences, pharmaceuticals, and biotech companies has been overwhelming, signifying the potential for further strengthening Australia-India partnerships."

Australia's biotechnology sector had a revenue of $6.3 billion in 2013, making it the 6th largest market globally with over 470 biotech companies.

Many international companies have successfully partnered with Australia on research and development and clinical trial development in the lifesciences sector including Amgen, Astrazeneca, Baxter, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and Sanofi.

Recently, Pune-based Serum institute of India partnered with Sydney-based Neuclone to manufacture high quality, low-cost drugs using biosimilars. Lupin lndia also has a strategic licensing agreement with Neuclone Australia for their cell line technology. L V Prasad Eye institute and Australia's Brien Holden Vision institute have jointly established 'The lndia Vision institute' to build optometric services for the 456 million people in lndia needing vision correction.