Singapore: Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is all set to organize 3rd annual BIO Convention in China, an affiliated event to the BIO International Convention, from November 11-13, 2013, bringing together executives from biotechnology, pharmaceutical companies and investment firms from North America, Europe and Asia to meet and explore business opportunities in China.

China has designated the biotechnology industry as one of seven pillar industries in its 12th Five Year Plan. Now in its 4th year, the Chinese government is expanding its resources for innovative biopharma research and development. This focus has been reflected in a dramatic expansion of Chinese companies in-licensing of Western-originated projects, with the number of in-licensing projects this year already exceeding the number of in-licenses, joint ventures (JVs) and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) last year.

"As China becomes a major force in the pharmaceutical market, the number of Chinese and Western collaborations has increased exponentially," said Mr Alan Eisenberg, executive VP, emerging companies and business development at BIO. "As we prepare for the third BIO Convention in China, we are more excited than ever about the opportunities that exist in China and are eager to provide the biotech industry with a platform to engage this quickly expanding biopharmaceutical market."

2013 BIO Convention in China will feature one-on-one dialogues with biopharma industry executives who will discuss recent company successes, what keeps company executives up at night, and where the industry's leading companies are headed in 2014.

Industry executives currently scheduled to participate in the candid question-and-answer style sessions include three global leads for Merck Serono: Dr Bernhard Kirschbaum, executive VP and head of Global Research and Early Development; Dr Susan Herbert, head of Global Business Development and Strategy; and Dr Annalisa Jenkins, executive VP and head of Global Development and Medical. Additional one-on-one dialogues will be held with Yan Xijun, chairman, board of Tianjin Tasly Group; Mr Wang Xiadong, director and investigator, NIBS, and Mr Yinxiang Wang, president, CEO and CSO, Zhejiang Beta Pharma.