Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) is a professional non-profit and non-governmental society registered under the Indian Societies Act. It was established in 2004 with the objective of creating a common platform for development of biotechnology across the globe particularly in the Asian Countries. Dr BS Bajaj, chairman, AIBA-SC and secretary general, FABA, India, speaks about the latest developments taking place in the association and its future plans.
What is the total number of members of FABA? What is the eligibility to become a member?
FABA, with its humble beginning in 2004, has achieved a significant landmark in creating a common platform for interaction among 20 member countries and established the common theme and common interest for improving the biotech space including technology transfer, resource sharing, business collaborations, industry-academia linkage, cross border trade and investments, among its member countries. FABA has entered into working arrangement with non-asian organizations like the European Federation of Biotechnology, Europe; Biocat, Spain; Maryland India Business Round Table, US; Bio Industry Park, Italy; and association of German Biotech Companies, Germany among others.
We have three membership categories of management committee, including corporate membership, honorary membership and industries or institutions or organizations membership. Furthermore, biotech associations or institutions of Asia or any other region in the world, who will represent their countries and open chapter of FABA in respective countries, are eligible for country membership.
All applications for membership of the federation shall be made in writing on official letter heads to the Secretary General of the Federation. The membership of Federation shall be deemed to commence from the date of the decision of the management committee, president or vice president, as the case may be. Decision taken on applications shall be communicated in writing to the applicants. Individuals cannot become members of the federation except local management committees. In order to become a member organizations need to pay membership fees. While the admission fee is $300, the annual membership fee is $200.
Could you tell us about the major focus areas of FABA?
FABA's major focus areas include, overall monitoring and coordination of biotechnology programme of respective member country; identification of regional and external resources for supporting the programmes; identification of new areas in the field of biotechnology or related areas, based on appropriate studies; organizing conferences, symposia, workshops in their countries; enrolling industries/corporations/institutions across the globe as members; and conducting and holding conferences on the current trend of globalization in the field of biotechnology. We also take of any other functions that are assigned by the management committee in accordance with objectives and rules of FABA.
Could you kindly elaborate on the major activities of FABA in the last two years?
The major events that have taken place in the past two years include, BioAsia 2012 and 2013, (9th and 10th Edition); "Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine : Research to Business " 2012, Hyderabad, India and an International conference on "Healthy Ageing In The Changing World "2012 Bangalore ,India organized jointly by FABA& BioGenesis (The Euro-
India Health Cluster)
How many new members have you made in the last two years?
Some of our new members include Lonza India, Hyderabad; Merck And Company, US; ICICI Knowledge Perk,Vikrampuri, Secunderabad, India; Shanta Biotechnics, Hyderabad, India; Alexandria Knowledge Park and the All India Biotech Association, among others.
What events are you planning to organize in the next two years?
FABA is going to jointly organizing the 2nd International Conference on "Healthy Ageing in the Changing World 2013" to be held on September 30, 2013, and Ocotober 1, 2013, at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore which with BioGenesis, UK, and Omics Group, US. The Global Cancer Summit 2014 on "Recent Advances in Cancer- Diagnosis' and Therapy" will also be held at Hyderabad International Convention Center, Hyderabad, organized jointly by FABA and Biogenesis, UK, and Omics Group, US, and Kenes Exhibitions.
We will also organize an International Conference on "Innovation in Healthcare" which will be held at Sheraton Brigade Gate, Bangalore, organized jointly with Biogenesis and Omics Group. FABA will also organize the 3rd International Conference on Stem cells and Regenerative Medicines in 2014 at Hyderabad and organize BioAsia 2014 on February 13-15, 2014.
Who have been the top five performing companies in FABA?
The top five performing members of our organization include, Lonza, Natco, NIAB, Sipra Labs and Shanta Biotech.
