BioAsia is being held at Hyderabad for the last four years. In all the conferences held so far using BioAsia platform, we had been laying maximum emphasis on biopartnering, together with the conference and a trade show, with a clear objective of development of Biotechnology industry in Asia in general and in India in particular.
All India Biotech Association, Southern Chapter (AIBA- SC) and the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) have been closely working with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and other organizations involved in organizing BioAsia during the last 3 years. FABA with its humble beginning in 2005 has developed a strong network and base in 15 Asian countries, in addition to entering into understanding with European Federation of Biotechnology for close coordination.
The Govt.of Andhra Pradesh, based on the recommendations of Biotech Advisory Committee, entrusted the total responsibility of organizing BioAsia 2007 to FABA. The technical part of the conference, involving selection of Speakers, Chairpersons, etc., was assigned to Dept.of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad. FABA engaged two Event Managers: M/s Catpro for General organization, particularly relating to the event and M/s Nectar for marketing and fund raising. The Govt.of Andhra Pradesh agreed to support BioAsia 2007 financially by sanctioning initial amount as seed money, whereas the balance funds were to be generated by the organizers. The Venue of the conference was selected at Hyderabad International Convention Centre, where the facility for the conference, trade show, B2B meetings and stay in Novotel Hotel along with catering, etc., were available at one site.
BioAsia 2007 emerged as a great International Event considering the participation of large number of foreign and Indian speakers and participants from across the globe. The quality of presentation in the conference was of very high standard which has been appreciated by most of the participants attending the conference. Trade show could be organized with 48 stalls, even though time available for organizing the event was very short. Biopartnering meets included 43 B2B meetings which resulted in signing of 23 accords. It may be mentioned here that the profiles of the organizations/industries participating in B2B meetings was of high standard including some transnational companies and institutions.
A new activity namely BioAsia 2007 Innovation Award was initiated first time this year, primarily to encourage young researchers for coming forward in their novel ideas, concepts and contributions with the ultimate objective of translating the proposals for industrial applications. This activity was considered as one of the landmark activity of BioAsia 2007. As per practice in earlier editions of BioAsia, Genome Valley Excellence Award was conferred on a Renounced Scientist of International repute Prof.G Padmanaban, Former Director of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Another landmark of BioAsia 2007 was to bring Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman of Biocon, Bangalore to deliver a very interesting talk, in addition to a Banquet speech by Prof.G Padmanaban during CEO Conclave. She also agreed to another centre of activity by setting up a very important facility in AP requiring heavy investment, of nearly of Rs.1000 crores.
Inspite of busy schedule, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh,Dr.Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, spared time to inaugurate BioAsia 2007 along with Dr.J Geeta Reddy, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Sugar, Major Industries, Commerce & Export Promotion, Govt.of Andhra Pradesh.
There were certain difficulties and drawbacks particularly considering the location of stay of most of the speakers in the guesthouses of ISB and University of Hyderabad, since after the conference the guests were more or less confined to their guesthouses because of distance from city centre. |
