Global Bio-Pharma Conference 2006 begins

HYDERABAD: The Bio Pharma Industry should concentrate on tackling the emerging tropical and viral diseases, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said on Thursday.

Inaugurating the four-day Global Bio-Pharma Conference 2006 -'Synergies in Global Bio Technology Industry', Reddy said, in recent times most parts of the country are facing life-threatening diseases like Chikungunya, Dengue and Bird Flu and the Biopharma industry should focus on curing these diseases and help eradicate them.

Union Minister of State for HRD D Purandhareswari said the divide between biotechnology and pharmaceuticals remained fairly defined in India.

India accounted for 2 per cent of the $ 42 bn global biotech market and in 2003 was ranked third in the Asia-Pacific Region and 11th in the world in number of biotechs.

In 2004-05, the Indian BT Industry saw its revenues grow 37 per cent to $ 1.1 bn. The Indian biotech market is dominated by bio pharmaceuticals as 75 per cent of 2004-2005 revenues came from the industry. While vaccines led the way, comprising 47 per cent of sales, she said.

Biologies and large-molecule drugs tend to be more expensive than small-molecule drug, and India hopes to sweep the market in biogenetics and contract manufacturing, by upgrading their manufacturing capabilities, she said.

A team of Pharma Scientists, CEOs of Pharma Companies, Academicians from leading Business Schools from the US and India are participating in the conference.