Bangalore: Encouraged by the response to Bangalore Bio 2007, the State Government and its Vision Group for Biotechnology have announced the dates for the event for the next three years.

"Bangalore Bio 2008 will take place from April 24 to 26, and in 2009 the dates will be between April 15 and 17 and in 2010, from June 2 to 4. This year there were an estimated 30,000 visitors over three days, including overseas trade delegations and biotechnology students from Bangalore and other cities," Secretary for Information and Biotechnology M.N. Vidyashankar told presspersons here on Saturday.

"Some shortcomings identified by both participants and visitors, such as the approach from Tumkur Road, will be addressed well ahead of next year's event. The new location is a bit far from the city but has one advantage — both the exhibition and concurrent conferences can be held at the same venue."

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who heads the Vision Group for Biotechnology, said, "The participation showed the increased interest in biotechnology. Several major overseas industries who came as visitors have asked for participation next year."

Several partnership initiatives took place between Indian biotechnology companies and research institutions through meetings with delegations from the U.K., the U.S., France, Holland, Germany and Australia.

Biocon Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Deakin University of Victoria, Australia, for joint research, including a research facility in Bangalore, and Avestha Gengraine Technologies signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh Government for additional land for a Biotech Park in that State. The company is also planning two manufacturing units in Andhra Pradesh.

Another highlight was the interactive career section at Biotalent Zone where potential employers could meet suitable jobseekers.

The exhibition had attractions like Bio R&D tools from overseas.

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