Bangalore: BioAsia, one of Asia's biggest technology and bio-business platform for biotechnology and life sciences, kickstarted with Spain as its country partner and GVK Biosciences as the principal industry sponsor. The 10th edition of BioAsia is being held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), India, from January 28-30, 2013.

BioAsia 2013, which features the theme of 'Technologies.Business.Next', also joined hands with Victoria, Australia, as the international state partner for the event this year. These country and state level partnerships are expected to open up and enhance the bilateral trade in these regions in addition to fostering scientific and technological collaborations.

BioAsia 2013, which is the annual flagship biotech event of the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, received tremendous response from the industry with Natco, Lonza and Mayar Biotech joining as the industry co-host. Department of Biotechnology; Department of Pharmaceuticals; Indian Council of Medical Research; Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), from the Government of India, have also joined hands with BioAsia 2013.

Commenting on the event Mr S Raghavan, joint secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India (the apex body for Biotechnology in the country), said that, "BioAsia is playing an important role in mobilizing investments into the biotechnology arena of the country. The 10th edition of BioAsia has attracted a wider participation from across the industry that will culminate into more wholistic discussion, debate and decision making giving the much needed momentum to the growth of the biotech industry."

Commenting on the developments, Mr Shakthi M Nagappan, CEO, BioAsia, said that, "We are delighted with the enthusiastic response from various regions and industry stalwarts like to be part of BioAsia 2013. Our partners, sponsors and participants have recognized the incremental value that BioAsia has added to the industry and we are confident to carry forward the momentum with our tenth edition which is all set to bring excellent opportunities to network with potential business prospects across geographies and deliberate on the growth drivers of future."