Bangalore, May 25 (IANS) The 10th edition of Bangalore India Bio 2010 will be held in this tech hub June 2-4 to showcase the country's resilient biotechnology sector and attract global investments to enhance capacity and create jobs.
Billed as Asia's biggest biotech event, the three-day trade show has attracted international attention, with about 150 exhibitors and 700 delegates confirming participation in its exposition, multi-track conference, bio-partnering, CEO conclave, bio excellence awards, a poster session and bio quiz, being introduced for the first time.
Jointly organised by the state department of biotech and science and technology, the state's Vision Group on biotechnology and MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications, the mega event will serve as a platform for the biotech fraternity to network, explore partnerships, joint ventures and draw long term plans for sustained growth in pharma as well as agritech verticals.
"We have timed the event to coincide with the state's Global Investors Meet 2010 (GIM) June 3-4 here and make it mutually beneficial. A special session at GIM will focus on the biotech landscape and investment opportunities in Karnataka," biotechnology department Principal Secretary Ashok Kumar C. Manoli told reporters at a preview of the hi-tech fair.
To retain its top status as the leading biotech investment destination, the state government is setting up five bio-tech parks such as nutria-nutraceuticals and a phyto-pharmaceuticals park at Mysore, marine bio-tech park at Mangalore, agri-biotech park at Dharwad and a vivarium park at Bidar in north Karnataka.
"We are looking at promoting tier-two and tier-three cities to attract investment and talent to create biotech clusters with Bangalore as the hub," Manoli said.
Noting that India was emerging as a very strategic destination for the biotech industry worldwide, Biocon chairperson and state's biotech vision group head Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said 'Bangalore Bio' played a vital role in the rapid growth of the sun rise sector.
"The Indian biotech sector is at the cusp of exponential growth over the next five years. As projected earlier, the industry is set to post combined revenue of $5 billion, including exports. Unlike in other industries, the biotech sector was unaffected by the global meltdown," Shaw recalled.
The event will be a major platform to develop strategic alliances and partnerships in collaborative research programmes and showcasing innovations.
"India has started attracting global attention in the field of clinical trials, contract research & manufacturing and other services of biopharma segment, as evident by the overwhelming response to the event from global biotech firms and organisations," Shaw added.
The European business technology centre will be represented by a delegation of 30 organisations, followed by Canada, Germany and Britain.