Collaborations are the way forward!
Bangalore India Bio 2013, the flagship event of the government of Karnataka, began on February 4, 2013. This three-day event, which is expected to witness over 800 delegates, also saw two important MoUs being signed. One was between the Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS) and Scottish Development International (SDI) and another between KBITS and Georgia Department of Economic Development.
The agreement between KBITS and SDI will enable both the countries in their respective regions to promote and encourage investment opportunities between the industry and academic communities in India and Scotland. The MoU was signed by Ms Anne MacColl, CEO, SDI and Mr Vijay Shankar, executive director, KBITS.
Ms MacColl said, "Over the last decade, we have seen significant growth in trade and investment between India and Scotland. Karnataka is one of the pioneering states in India to offer a conducive environment for life sciences sector to develop and grow. With one of the largest life sciences clusters in the Europe, Scotland is well placed to provide expertise and collaborative opportunities to benefit both the countries."
There are already many Indian companies such as Piramal Healthcare, Axsys Technology, Tata Consultancy Services, among others that are operating in Scotland. Omega Diagnostics, a Scottish company that manufactures, develops and distributes medical diagnostic products and in-vitro test kits has its office in India as well. Another Scottish firm, Touch Bionics is looking at entering Indian market with its i-LIMB, a first-of-its-kind fully articulating bionic hand.
According to Mr Mark Lytle, division director, Georgia Centres of Innovation, Department of Economic Development, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, "We are very pleased to sign a collaboration with the state of Karnataka. Through this MoU, we are connecting business with researchers. Georgia is leading in vaccines as well as immunological research and clinical trials. There is opportunity for more collaboration between the biotech industries for better growth."
