Global Bio-India 2019: Delhi set to host mega biotech show in November

New Delhi: For the first time in India, a highly focused event to showcase the country’s remarkable achievements in the area of biotechnology has been conceptualized by the top government agencies. Titled ‘Global Bio-India 2019’, the conference is set to be held from 21- 23 November 2019  at New Delhi by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology along with its Public Sector Undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Association of Biotech Led Enterprises (ABLE) and Invest India.

The mega biotechnology focused event is expected to help build new partnerships and investment opportunities amidst the participation of stakeholders from across the globe.

Providing a peep into what to expect at the event next month, the DBT held a Curtain Raiser event for Global Bio-India 2019 on 24th October 2019 at New Delhi. Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare was the Chief Guest on this occasion. Present among various dignitaries were Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology along with Dr Balram Bhargava, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research, and Dr S Eswara Reddy, Joint Drugs Controller (India).

Speaking at the event, Dr Harsh Vardhan recalled the words of the former prime minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had famously said, ‘If the IT is India Today, then the BT is Bharat Tomorrow’. The minister pointed out the remarkable work on new vaccine development in the country for the last few decades. He was nostalgic about how India made a significant progress on polio eradication despite challenges. Dr Vardhan highlighted the new regulatory reforms and improvements for ease of doing business in the last few years. He expressed hope that the event will be a major success and achieve its purpose in a grand way.

Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT in her address listed out the importance of such events. “The target of a $100 billion bio-industry by 2025 may appear huge but all the stakeholders have been constantly working towards achieving it. Events such as these help in providing inspiration besides learning opportunities for consolidating efforts,” she said.

The biotechnology sector is recognized as one of the key drivers for contributing to India’s economy target of USD 5 Trillion by 2024 and is poised to grow exponentially over the next decade. India is among the top-12 destinations for biotechnology in the world valued at USD 51 Billion during 2018-19.

Recognizing the importance of this sector, Global Bio-India 2019 would deliberate on the opportunities and key challenges in the areas of  Bio-pharma,  Bio-Agri, Bio- Industrial, Bio-Energy and Bio-Services sectors. Salient components of Global Bio- India  2019  would include events such as Bio-partnering, Policy dialogues, CEO Roundtable, Global Regulators Meet, Investors Roundtable, Exhibition/ Pavilion including Country, Ministries, Departments, States, Startups, and others.

The event is expected to draw about 3500+ delegates from across the globe connecting the Indian Biotechnology ecosystem with the International ecosystem. This mega international congregation of biotechnology stakeholders, including international bodies, regulatory bodies, central and state ministries, large industries,  SMEs, innovation clusters, research institutes, investors, startup ecosystem and others.

Globally, a large number of such events are organized in which Indian Biotech Industry, scientists, entrepreneurs, academia showcases their innovation. Time is apt for India to showcase to the world our biotech sector prowess, the growth potential for the ecosystem to scale and become a global hub for innovation and manufacturing.

Given the Government’s renewed commitment to scientific research, its translation, and commercialization, this event is expected to be a huge opportunity to showcase India’s strength and build new partnerships and investment opportunities.

The event is expected to strengthen the indigenous research and development capabilities, bio-entrepreneurship, investments at Centre and State level, and integration of innovative affordable products and technologies for the last-mile-delivery across India including tier-2, 3 cities, and rural areas.