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Post Event
'21st century belonged to life sciences'
BioAsia 2008, besides acting as a platform for business deals,
also brought out the message that there is a need for global corporatisation.
Arshiya Khan reports from Hyderabad
Business buzz
Dr J Geeta Reddy, Honourable Minister for Major Industries, Sugar, Commerce
and Export Promotion, Government of Andhra Pradesh, sharing notes with
B P Acharya, IAS, CMD, APIIC, at a media conference, to announce the hosting
of BioAsia 2008 at Hyderabad from February 7, 2008 |
The city of pearls, also known as the biotech hub of India,
hosted BioAsia 2008, global bio business forum from the 7th to 9th February.
Jointly organised by the Government of Andhra Pradesh with the assistance of
Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) and the University of Hyderabad,
BioAsia brought many new deals to companies and exhibitors.
The Vice President of India, M Hamid Ansari, at Hyderabad
International Convention Centre, formally inaugurated the event. Apart from
laying the foundation stone for National Animal Resource Facility for Biomedical
Research, and Centre for Stem Cell Sciences, he also inaugurated the Biotechnology
Incubation Centre, a joint initiative of the Government of Andhra Pradesh and
Government of India. In his presidential speech he said, "Although biotech
in India is in its nascent stage, still within a short span of time it has left
a huge mark in the lives of people." He credited this to the hard work
of countless number of scientists with entrepreneurial skills who put in their
money and time to service the society by finding solutions to problems faced
by people.
The event was also a witness to heavyweights including the Honourable Chief
Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who also presided over
the inaugural session. He reiterated the Government's support to the biotech
industry. The Honourable Minister for Industries, Dr J Geeta Reddy, explained
the purpose of organising BioAsia 2008. Over 20 internationally renowned scientists
delivered talks during the three day event on topics related to stem cells and
tissue engineering, nanotechnology, translational research, biopharmaceuticals,
food biotechnology, biofuels, GM crops etc.
Commenting on the separate session on biofuels, Ansari spoke on their importance
in meeting the challenges of the rising oil prices and geopolitical instability,
and how increasing costs of fossil fuels are promoting the harvesting of energy
from waste resources.
Another highlight of the event was the lecture by Nobel laureate Professor Barry
J Marshall on Helicobacter pylori which was identified as a primary microbe
causing peptic ulcers. Nobel laureate Sir Martin J Evan was conferred the 'Genome
Valley Excellence Award' by Ansari at the inaugural function. Evans thanked
and complimented the Government of Andhra Pradesh and organisers of BioAsia
on the efforts they are making in integrating knowledge and industry. He exhorted
that the 21st century belonged to life sciences.
While Dr J Geeta Reddy brought out the point that science has to be promoted,
as biotechnology serves as a forum to entire Asia, Dr Anwar Nasim, President
FABA and Chairman, National Commission on Biotechnology of Pakistan, said that
it can be done through increased global corporatisation. And the Australian
commissioner John McCarthey, highlighted the same in context with Australia
by remarking that, "We are not only good at sports, farming and mining,
but also at other areas given the opportunity," hinting at the biotechnology
sector.
| The footfall of 2,700 delegates attended the conference
during the three days. The business meetings between the intending entrepreneurs
and inventors were conducted for these three days and the total number of
70 meetings took place. Of this, the total number of MoUs in process were
eight.
BioAsia conferences, started in the year 2004, have worked
as catalysts in attracting the international community in promoting the
local investment, with already invested amount crossing Rs 320 crore and
committed investments of about Rs 1730 crore in the pipe line, together
making the investments of about Rs 2050 crore. These investments are creating
employment for about 60,000 people.
Some key industry investments include—DuPont Knowledge
centre in ICICI Knowledge Park, Avesthagen in Genome Valley Phase-III
Biotech Park, Biocon in Vizag and Novartis R&D Global centre in SP
Biotech Park. They have investments ranging from Rs 100-1,000 crore.
While the event was terminated with only one message
that these exhibitions are meant for business deals, no doubt that it
also provides knowledge in depth about various topics.
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Government initiatives
Public private partnerships are important for an industry o progress in a country
like India. Realising this proposition, the National Animal Resource Facility
for Biomedical Research, an ICMR project, is coming up in Hyderabad at an investment
of Rs 500 crore (Rs 250 crore in the first phase). The Centre for Stem Cell
Sciences is being established by the Centre for Liver Research and Diagnostics
with the support of the Government of Andhra Pradesh with an investment of Rs
150 crore. The biotechnology incubation centre has been set up with the investment
of Rs 30 crore.
arshiya.khan@expressindia.com
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