Hyderabad: The 14th edition of BioAsia, Asia’s largest biotechnology, and lifesciences forum, witnessed many talk sessions, discussions, networking meetings and panel discussions from eminent global leaders, on the 2nd day of the event.
The day witnessed, a high profile CEO Enclave on the topic “Serving A Billion New Patients – The Role of Indian Life Sciences Industry” which had eminent panelists such as Mr. KT Rama Rao, Minister for Industries & Commerce, IT E&S, MAUD, Government of Telangana, Dr. Vasanth Narasimhan, Global Head of Drug Development & CMO, Novartis, Switzerland, Dr. Patrick Vallance, President R&D, GSK, UK, Dr. Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., India, Mr. Glenn Saldanha, Chairman and Managing Director, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., India and Dr. Murtaza Khorakiwala, Managing Director of Wockardt.
Some important points made by Mr KT Rama Rao, Minister for Industries & Commerce, IT E&S, MAUD, Government of Telangana during the CEO Conclave
- Telangana which is the Life sciences capital of India, contributes, 35% to the overall Pharma industry and we are trying to combine the ecosystem, unlike US& UK, we don’t have advocacy groups and we will be looking at bringing down the cost of drug discovery and clinical trials
- We are looking at more collaborations and innovation by leveraging educational institutions, center of excellence and incubation centers, academia with the companies and bring balance to ensure a certain percentage of participation, commercialization and bringing the prices down
- Government’s role is in enabling the infrastructure easing regulations, make it easier to innovate and cater to larger markets
Mr KT Rama Rao also had meeting with a number of industry leaders talking about investment oppurtunities including the likes of Novartis, Glenmark and GSK at BioAsia 2017.
In his keynote, Dr Paul Stoffels, Worldwide Chairman of Pharma, Chief Scientific Officer, Johnson & Johnson, USA, said, “Pharmaceutical innovation has already delivered significant contribution to the society as in the past probably half of the life expectancies, was generated due to hygiene measures and half of it is due to innovation. The future has never been this brighter for medical sciences than it is today. If you look at the abilities of the new pathways the new insights and also the technological platforms; I think we should be able to do a lot more. We are working towards significant collaborations around the world to have impact on the diseases going from cancer to tuberculosis and from interventional cardiology to consumer products.”
While addressing the concern on the investment on R&D, Dr. Vasanth Narasimhan, Global Head of Drug Development & CMO, Novartis, Switzerland said, “The Bio Technology industry faces a challenge in getting the returns on huge investments they make on the Research and Development. The pharmaceutical & Biotech industry around the world invests almost a US$ 150 Billion and the question we have to answer is how efficiently we can use the funds and how the companies can get the returns for our investors.”
“Each successful drug development today starts with a discovery or an invention followed by many years of development, creating a market and getting the drug to be actually used by the ethical community. I lived through this myself, I have seen that it took two generations of medical doctors to adopt MRI and use it where it is more apt to provide information needed,” said Nobel Laureate Prof Kurt Wuthrich, Scripps Research Institute, USA in his Key note at BioAsia 2017.
The panel discussion on Enabling Innovation discussed about solving complex problems with innovation model and Executing an innovation model. It also deliberated on the pitfalls to avoid. The panel was chaired by Padma Shri Mr. BVR Mohan Reddy, Founder & Chairman, Cyient. Other eminent panelists included Dr. Renu Swarup, MD, BIRAC, Dept. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, Dr. Murtaza Khorakiwala, Managing Director, Wockhardt, India, Mr. Ranjit Shahani, Chairman & MD, Novartis India, Prof. Pramod P. Wangikar, Professor in Charge, Wadhwani Research Center for Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Ms. Amiee Aloi, Deputy Vice President, International Advocacy, PhRMA, USA, Dr. Malathi Lakhshmikumaran, Director & Practice Head – Life Sciences Group, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Attorneys, India. The session was moderated by Padma Shri Dr. D Balasubramanian, Distinguished Scientist & Director Emeritus – Research, LV Prasad Eye Institute.
The day also witnessed renowned speakers discussing on revolutionary topics like Emerging technologies – nanobots, combination devices, 3D printing and Traditional v/s innovation approach to clinical research and biotech-pharma research at the Innovation Conference. Simultaneously, a conference on how automation is now being useful in Diagnostics was held which mesmerized the audience. A panel discussion was held on the topic “Enabling Open Innovation” which had noted panelists from various companies and institutes like Wockhardt, Novartis, IIT Bombay, PhRMA USA and Life Sciences Group, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Attorneys, India participating in it.
The second half of the day saw a panel discussion on “Patent protection and value of Innovation and R&D” wherein the panelists discussed on how pharma companies should innovate and come up with new drugs, patent protection and also on the additional investments being taken by the pharma companies to meet their goals. Simultaneously, another panel discussion on the topic “Existing ecosystem & way forward of Automation in Government, Semi-Government, Private, Corporate, Standalone, PHCs, Rural Health Centres & Diagnostic Services” was held.
Speaking on the success of second day of the event, Mr Shakthi Nagappan, CEO, BioAsia said, “The second day of Bio Asia was focused on innovation required in medical & life sciences and how automation can play a significant role in diagnostics. The CEO Conclave, with a very eminent panel, also deliberated on the significant role which Indian Life Sciences Industry can play in ensuring appropriate treatment to a billion patients. We have got a tremendous response for the sessions and panel discussions as we saw encouraging participation. It was an enriching experience for us all as the industry experts shared their opinions on the respective topics.”
The last day of Bioasia 2017 will have Key notes from Mr Narayana Murthy, Founder, Infosys and Dr Patrick Vallance, President, R&D, GSK, UK. A Start-Up & Healthcare Challenge Session will also be organized.
