AP to hold first global biotech event BioAsia 2004 in Feb

B P Acharya, the secretary of industries & commerce department, said that BioAsia 2004 would serve as an ideal platform for companies, government, thought leaders and technologists from across the globe to transact business, build global alliances and collaborations, showcase products and services, and network with the industry leaders.

BioAsia will consist of a trade show, a conference, a B2B forum and a knowledge Pavilion. Over 100 exhibitors, 500 delegates from 20 countries are expected to participate in the event.

The international trade show at BioAsia will focus on enabling business transactions, facilitating exhibitors from all over the world to showcase their products and services.

The BioAsia conference will cover topics such as biotechnology in Asia, building and managing partnerships for future growth, vaccine industry in Asia, commercialisation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), incentives and thrust areas and the role of venture capital funding in building a successful biotech company in today's marketplace.

The B2B Forum at BioAsia is expected to focus on investment opportunities in the bio pharmaceutical industry in India.

Delegations from Iowa, San Francisco, North Carolina in US, and Israel, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand had already confirmed their participation, Acharya said.

"The event will bring together all the major biotech players in Asia.The idea is to share the experiences of what the other countries have done in terms of genetically modified food products and cash crops," D Balasubramanian, the chairman of the biotech advisory committee of the AP government, said.

"The Genome Valley concept of the Andhra Pradesh government visualises a series of industrial parks spread in and around Hyderabad, where biotech companies can establish R&D and manufacturing units," Acharya said.

On the progress of SP Biotech park, which was initiated about two years back as part of the Genome Valley concept, Acharya said that about 15 companies had come forward so far to set up their units there.

"The delay in grounding the projects is due to problems in achieving financial closure. We are planning to initiate discussions with FIs on this issue," Acharya said.

On the proposal of IFC, Washington, to invest in the biotech venture fund, Acharya said: "This is very much under active consideration. We hope that something will be materialised in a couple of months. If at all they invest, they come to us first."

Suresh Dhawan, the CEO of SP Biotech Park, said at least 10 units would be under construction in the park by July 2004. Vimta Labs is the latest one to come to the park to set up the facility, he said.