Bangalore Bio 2006 gains momentum

The biggest biotech show in the Asia-Pacific is all set to create a new record in June.

Over 60 national and international speakers, 350 conference delegates, 120 exhibitors, 20,000 business visitors from over 15 countries, and various states of India are expected to convene at the premier annual event for the biotechnology industry, Bangalore Bio 2006. The biggest biotech show in the Asia-Pac region, now in its sixth year, which features conferences, business forums and trade exhibition, will be held during June 7-9, 2006 at the Palace Grounds in Bangalore.

This flagship biotech event is promoted by the Government of Karnataka and organized by the Vision Group on Biotechnology. Bangalore Bio today is a unique platform for the biotech fraternity to leverage partnering opportunities and forge new alliances in the biotech industry globally. This forum presents a platform to showcase products, services, and transform concepts into markets and explore investment. The focal theme for Bangalore Bio 2006 is DNA-Discover, Nurture, Accelerate.

The event this year includes a strong international participation from the European Union, Holland, France, the UK, Germany, Japan, Belgium, Bavaria, Pennsylvania, and Singapore. There is also a very strong domestic participation. Various state governments like Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have already confirmed their presence.

Bangalore Bio today has emerged as the premier event in the country not only because of the preeminent position of Bangalore, but also because Bangalore has one of the most exciting biotech ecosystems. The industry and the state government are keen to promote biotech in the state. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, chairperson, Vision Group on biotechnology and CMD, Biocon Ltd, informed, "Bangalore is evolving as an interesting ecosystem for biotechnology. Other states are also taking the initiative to follow the Bangalore model of success. To create a biocluster, one needs a mindset of entrepreneurship and Bangalore has paved the way in this regard. For instance, to accelerate entrepreneurship, companies such as Biozeen have set up training programs for bioprocessing. The institute of clinical research has been set up and will help to enhance clinical development in the country. We need to expand infrastructure, not just roads and airports but also patent infrastructure and service infrastructure. The government should take the lead for special initiatives on biofuel and bioagri technology."

Commenting on the initiatives and progress done by Karnataka, MK Shankaralinge Gowda, secretary, Department of IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, said, "The 100-acre biotech park in Bangalore will be operational by the end of 2006 near Electronic City. This project has been awarded to the National Building Construction Company. Karnataka supports investments from biofuel companies. Citing the example of the Indian Railways, biofuel farming, where-in 90,000 hectares of land have been allocated for this purpose. About two new biotech companies are being set up every month. Karnataka has attracted the highest VC fund in Asia (to the tune of $100 million). Outsourcing of R&D has immense potential, 20 of the 70 commercial labs are in Karnataka. We look forward to making Bangalore and India Knowledge Process Outsourcing hub. Further, Karnataka will support stem cell banks and other new areas of biotechnology." And Bangalore Bio serves as the perfect platform to promote and nurture the growth of biotech.

Sixth Bangalore Bio highlights

International Conference

India's biotech revolution-be it in biopharma or bioagri or clinical research or bioinformatics-is at an important juncture. It is one of the top emerging biotech destinations today. To highlight these achievements and comprehend further development, there is a focused multi-track conference.

These sessions are expected to be addressed by experts like Dr Nermeen Varawala (vice president, business Development, PRA International, UK); Dr DK Srivastava (professor, department of chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, North Dakota State University, US); Dr KK Tripathi (advisor, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India); Dr Lakshmi Kumaran (Consultant, Lakshmi Kumaran and Sridharan); Dr Anil Paul Kariath (president, training consulting, founder director Biozeen, Bangalore Biotech Labs Pvt Ltd); Dr Naveen Rao (medical director, MSD Pharmaceuticals); Dr Mohammed Alavijeh (co-founder and managing director, Pharmidex, UK); S Abhaya Kumar (chairman, Life Cell India); Dr Franck Molina (Center for Pharmacology and health biotechnology, France); and Simon Best (Chairman, Biotech Industry association, UK).

Agri Biotech Day

Another important feature of Bangalore Bio 2006 is a focused session on BioAgri on the third day. India, undoubtedly, is making rapid strides in agri biotechnology and several knowledge-sharing initiatives have been launched. This session is aimed at showcasing India's experience and progress in agri biotechnology. "And the Agri-biotech Day at Bangalore Bio 2006 has been conceptualized to strengthen transnational partnerships and throw light on recent advances made in molecular genetics, informatics, and genomics," informed Dr KK Narayanan, president, ABLE and managing director, Metahelix. The sessions will cover bioagri issues related to transgenic crops, functional foods and nutraceuticals, bioenergy and biofuels, biofertilizers and
pesticides, etc.

Build Your Business (BYB) Forum

Build Your Business (BYB) forum is another important aspect of Bangalore Bio 2006 and will be organized at the palace grounds, Bangalore. According to the event organizers, MM Activ, this year's Bangalore Bio has received overwhelming response from the international participants. For the first time, over 50 companies from various countries are participating. Delegations from France, the UK, the Netherlands, etc. have confirmed their participation to explore the various opportunities in India.

Build Your Business forum is a networking platform for buyers-sellers of various organizations. The Build your Business Forum is aimed at bringing together people across the industry on a single platform. Trade show participants, business visitors and conference delegates can use the facilities to hold meetings and explore collaboration, investment, marketing, and trade opportunities. Facilities offered at BYB include corporate presentation slots, discussion booths, business center and conferencing facilities. This B2B session will be an exclusive inter corporate interaction point and will be held at the exhibition site. Interested companies and individuals can book their space online for the meet.

Poster sessions

This year Bangalore Bio is adding one more exclusive feature, the "Poster Session for Leader Prospects" in conjunction with the international conference. About 50 path-breaking ideas will be presented by young researchers covering a wide gamut of topics in health biotechnology, cell biology, bioagri and bioinformatics. "The research papers (posters) are chosen from hundreds of abstracts received from young researchers, scientists and technocrats working in universities, R&D labs, various government departments or in the private sector," informed Jagdish Patankar, managing director, MM Activ. "This platform gives unique opportunity to the emerging talent to share their innovation and research aimed at solving unmet problems in the area of biotechnology. It is also a great opportunity for the biotech industry to explore future commercial and business opportunities," he added. The poster session will be held at the National Science Seminar Complex, Indian Institute of Science (IISC) Bangalore. An eminent panel of judges comprising of leading industry professionals and the Department of Biotechnology will be adjudging the abstracts for their prospective commercial potential and viability. The best three abstracts will be felicitated at the "Bio Awards Nite".

Trade show

The trade show at the premier event is designed as a platform to showcase technologies, products, research and services. The exhibition is expected to attract over 20,000 business visitors. Over 140 companies and research institutes from India, France, the Netherlands, the UK, Pennsylvania, Belgium, Japan, and Singapore are participating in this exhibition. The exhibitors space has been designed to accommodate separate pavilions like BioNations and BioStates; BioInfrastructure; Process Engineering and Equipment; R&D; Bioinformatics; Clinical Research; BioAgri; Education and careers; BioPharma; Institutional Investors and VC Funds; Consulting and Allied Services; Diagnostics and Instrumentation.

BioSpectrum Report