ABLE has US chapter

ABLE (Association of Biotechnology-Led Enterprises) has opened a US chapter to facilitate co-ordination and help Indian companies to liaise with American biotech companies.

Through this chapter, ABLE will be able to participate in the forthcoming BIO 2005 which will be held in Philadelphia from June 19-21.

The decision to open a US chapter was taken at ABLE's executive council meeting on April 25.

The council also took the decision to appoint Cherian Philip as honorary director of this chapter. He is currently senior vice president - business development for Sartorius, North America.

According to an ABLE release, Cherian had held various positions in the group including that of chairman and managing director of Sartorius India in Bangalore.

"This (chapter) provides a timely launch for us and will be an effective platform to promote the Indian biotech industry in the US," said Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, president, ABLE.

"India provides a tremendous opportunity for bio-partnering and several biotech companies in India have already struck alliances with companies in the United States. We are certain that under Cherian Philip's leadership, ABLE will meet with success," she added.