Bio-Asia 2007 gets underway tomorrow

Hyderabad, Feb 14 (UNI) Bio-Asia 2007, the fourth edition of Asia's premier biotechnology event will be inaugurated by the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy here tomorrow.

According to a Bio-Asia release, 500 delegates and 50 exhibitors would participate in a major Global Bio-business Forum and the inauguration will also have the presence of Ambassador of Switzerland to India Dominique Dreyer.

The three-day event would be jointly hosted by the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) and the State Government with University of Hyderabad, supported by European Federation of Bio-technology as partners.

The CEO Conclave will be chaired by Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD, Biocon and other speakers include G Padmanabhan and Mr Rob Daniel, Head of Science and Convention, British High Commission.

The Proceedings will have an impressive array of speakers from several countries including Australia, China, US, UK, Canada and Germany. Spread over three days, the proceedings will have sessions on Business Opportunities in Asia, Bio-business, New Frontiers in Bio-technology.

Professor Padmanabhan will be conferred the prestigious Genome Valley Excellence Award this year. '' said Prof Reddana of University of Hyderabad and Coordinator for Bio-Asia 2007 Conference.

Prof Padmanabhan was being honoured for his significant contributions in the area of transcriptional regulation of malarial drug metabolising genes in liver, mechanisam of chloroquine action and its resistance in the parasite.

''This year's event will also witness the launch of Bio-Asia Innovation Award 2007, constituted to activate the youth and to promote creativity and innovation among young scientists. All young scientists under the age of 35 years, who were pursuing their studies/research in the area of biotechnology and life sciences, were encouraged to exhibit their products and innovations at the conference,'' said Mr Bajaj, Secretary General, FABA.

One of the best-chosen innovations will be awarded 'The Bio-Asia Innovation Award 2007 for Young Scientists' with a citation and a cash award of Rs one lakh, Dr Bajaj added.

UNI