Bangalore Bio 2008 to focus on global partnerships

The eighth edition of Bangalore Bio, the flagship event promoted by the Government of Karnataka and Karnataka Vision Group on Biotechnology, will take place on April 24-26, 2008 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Center, Bangalore.

Set to be a bigger event this time with "Global Partnership" as its theme, Bangalore Bio 2008 will be a unique platform for bringing together national and international participants from the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, educational and financial sectors to interact, network, showcase innovations in products and services, to transform concepts into markets, explore investments and business opportunities through its trade show, technical sessions, international conference, business forum, CEO conclave, poster session and the newly added biopartnering forum. This year bioexcellence awards have been instituted to recognize the contribution of eminent Padma awardees from the field of science and technology and outstanding achievers. Awards for the best stalls will also be presented to the exhibitors for innovative stall designs and creative display of products and services.

Speaking at the curtain raiser event of Bangalore Bio 2008, Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson of Karnataka Vision Group on Biotechnology, and CMD, Biocon, said, "The biotech sector worldwide is about partnering. In a dynamic business environment, the biotechnology industry recognizes the importance of international partnerships and their vital role in competing, growing and creating value on a global scale. India has attracted a lot of global attention for the potential it has and the year 2008 will again demonstrate our leadership in biotechnology. Bangalore Bio will bring together the stakeholders of the industry to drive growth, develop innovative pipelines to enter deals for commercialization, overcome capital constraints and capitalize on core strengths for achieving global competitiveness."

MN Vidyashankar, secretary, IT, BT, Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka, said, "The success of biotechnology is vital for the future of our state and country. We started off well and we plan to build rapidly on our successes. A lot of research and innovation is being done by small and mid-sized biotech firms in the country. Bangalore Bio 2008 will provide a platform for emerging technologies and companies to showcase their research and explore global tie-ups."

This year Australia is all set to play an important role in Bangalore Bio 2008 as a partner country with a large delegation.

With focus on innovation, the main conference session at Bangalore Bio 2008 will attract some of the leading scientists and industry stalwarts from across the globe. A technical papers section would be introduced this time to encourage and showcase tremendous research and development activities happening across academia, R&D institutes and emerging biotech companies.

For the third time in row, April 26 has been dedicated as Agribiotech Day at Bangalore Bio 2008 to showcase India's experience and progress in agribiotechnology. The day will focus on current trends of agribiotechnology.

The CEO conclave will witness a high power meeting point of various professionals with a key industry stalwart delivering the "Vision Talk" at the conclave.

This year too, Bangalore Bio will host the poster session in conjunction with the international conference.

Industry visits will also be organized for interested delegates on first-come first serve basis. The delegates will be taken to two core biotechnology – biopharma and bioagri. The industry visit would include company presentation, management (general and specific techniques), innovation, business processes, good manufacturing practices, health and safety.