Bangalore Bio-2006 kickstarts

Bangalore, June 7 (UNI) Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal today inaugurated the sixth edition of the three-day Bangalore Bio-2006, the largest biotech show showcasing the country's achievements and capabilities in biotechnology and related sectors.

Speaking after the inauguration, the Minister described Bangalore Bio-2006 as the biggest in the entire Asia Pacific region, attracting stakeholders from across the world. Biotech multinational companies were finding the costs prohibitive for developing and manufacturing life saving drugs and investing over two billion dollar for a single drug.

He said it was but natural for the multinational companies to look forward to India, which offered huge advantage in services like clinical research and clinical trial to take forward their technologies. Clinical trials accounted for over 80 per cent of the cost in developing a drug and India, which had a rich pool of talent with low economy, could play a major role in downsizing the cost.

BT major Biocon Chairperson and Managing Director Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shah, also the Chairperson of the Karnataka Visionary Group on Biotechnology, said the event, with the theme 'Discover, Nurture and Accelerate', was recognised worldwide as one of the best biotech shows both in terms of size and quality.

She informed that over 500 delegates from 26 countries were participating in the show with a keen interest to explore opportunities in the sector. The wider range of acceptance of the annual show across the world was a reflection of the recognition for the achievements the country had made in the emerging BT sector.

She said representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Sweden and European Union were participating in the event through a high-level business delegation, comprising industrialists and scientists. Conferences, CEO Conclave, seminars and speeches by experts would mark the mega event.

Over 150 biotech companies, both domestic and overseas, have set up stalls showcasing their capabilities in the biotech sector.

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