Hyderabad: BioAsia, Asia's biggest technology and bio-business platform, today kick started with an inauguration ceremony in the presence of eminent personalities across the globe. Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy, Honorable Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh inaugurated this three-day event in the gracious presence of Ms Carmen Vela Olmo, Honorable Minister of State - Research, Development & Innovation, Government of Spain, Mr InKyo Kim, president, Gangwon Technopark, South Korea, Dr George John, senior advisor to the Government of India, Department of Biotechnology. Over 500 delegates including regulators, from close to 50 countries are participating in the landmark 10th edition of BioAsia.

The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. N Kiran Kumar Reddy in his inaugural speech said, "With dedication to innovation and research, Asia is progressing rapidly towards establishing itself as a major hub of biotechnology. Biotechnology industry is at the threshold of tremendous growth and India is swiftly emerging as an important player in the sector globally ".

In accordance with the Indo-Spanish Joint Program for Technological Co-operation in Biotechnology between the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of India - and the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) of Spain, The Government of Spain and India announced the official results of the first Indo-Spanish Call for Industrial R&D Proposals in Biotechnology which were announced in June 2012. The proposals selected for funding are The Project APTAFOOD, The Project NATURINDIA, The Project FUNFRUT.

Ø The Project APTAFOOD: "Aptamer based biosensing for the detection of food toxins" between the Spanish Company Laboratorios CIFGA, S.A. and the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI).

Ø The Project NATURINDIA: "Development of Nutraceutical Extracts and Food Supplements based on the Systematization of Indian System of Medicine", between the Spanish Company Plantas Medicinales de Cataluña and the Indian Company, Natural Remedies.

Ø The Project FUNFRUT: "Development of a Novel Process Technology for the Commercial Production of Sugar-Free Fruit Juices and Study of the End Product Functional Effect" between the Spanish Company Biopolis, S.L. and Indian partners Loyola College and TVN Health Products Company.

Mr Shakthi Nagappan, CEO, 'BioAsia' said, "We are overwhelmed to witness such an enthusiastic participation. The discussions, debates, developments and decisions during these three days will help in the driving the growth of Biotech & Lifesciences sector. These will also play a significant role in understanding and tapping the multi-billion dollar potential of Biosimilars & Biologics for the benefit of the healthcare industry".


In a special address, the representative of Spain, the partner country for BioAsia2013, Ms Carmen Vela Olmo, Honorable Minister of State - Research, Development & Innovation, Government of Spain said , "For Spain, participating in this well established forum focusing on biotechnology has been considered a priority in order to give continuity to our joint bilateral efforts with our Indian counterparts. The Spanish delegation comprising of leading research institutes, companies and technology centers has firm interest in India at the forefront in diverse fields of biotechnology and its applications and we are confident that BioAsia will offer a great networking platform to all the participants".

Key BioAsia Awards
Dr. M K Bhan and Pfizer, were awarded the Genome Valley Excellence Awards for their contribution not just to the industry but to the global society at large.

Dr Freda C Lewis-Hall, executive vice president, chief medical officer - Pfizer on receiving the BioAsia Innovation Award said, "Pfizer is continuously innovating to investing in its R&D to develop products that are effective, affordable and meet the highest quality standards. BioAsia has emerged as an important platform for the industry to learn and grow from each other's experiences helping change the face and future of healthcare around the world. It gives us immense pleasure to receive the innovation award - an area that is always our focus".

Taking place at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), Hyderabad from 28th to 30th January 2013, this much-awaited and most comprehensive life sciences dynamic global forum with Biologics and Biosimilars as the theme of the year has Spain as the Country Partner and GVK Biosciences as the principal industry host sponsor. BioAsia 2013 has also joined hands with Victoria (Australia) which is the International State Partner for the event this year. The 10th edition of this leading industry event has also received tremendous response from the industry with Natco, Lonza, Mayar Biotech joining as the Industry Co-Host.

Commenting on the continued partnership as the Principal Industry Host for BioAsia2013, Mr. Manni Kantipudi, CEO, GVK Biosciences said "BioAsia grown significantly over the last 5 years. It has evolved to be one of the top conferences in Asia that is shaping the industry. We are excited to be the Principal Sponsors of this mega event."


Regulators and Delegates Visit Clusters
In the initial half of the day the delegates including Ms. Carmen Vela Olmo, Minister of Spain, regulators and other international & national delegates visited Lonza Knowledge Centre, IKP Knowledge Park and Alexandria Knowledge Park in Genome Valley in Shameerpet, Hyderabad which is India's first organized cluster for life science research & development activities, with more than 100 companies. The delegates were taken through a field trip for showcasing the state-of-the-art infrastructure of companies including Lonza, Vimta Labs amongst others.

This 10th edition of BioAsia2013 has grown manifolds and enhanced its reach across the world by attracting the top officials from biopharma, biotech and health regulatory agencies from 15 countries including prominent names like US, UK, South Africa, Sweden, Czech Republic, South Korea, Malaysia, Jordan, Republic of Lithuania, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Philippines to name a few.