Biomedical Asia Returns For Second Year With The Inaugural Biotechnica Asia 2002

Following its successful debut last year, the BioMedical Asia conference and exhibition will be held this year with BioTechnica Asia, the inaugural Asian offshoot of BioTechnica Hannover, Germany, which is one of the world~{!/~}s largest and leading exhibitions on biotechnology. BioMedical Asia and BioTechnica Asia 2002 is the key event for the biosciences industry in Asia and will take place from 28-30 October 2002 at Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore.

Following its successful debut last year, the BioMedical Asia conference and exhibition will be held this year with BioTechnica Asia, the inaugural Asian offshoot of BioTechnica Hannover, Germany, which is one of the world~s largest and leading exhibitions on biotechnology.

BioMedical Asia and BioTechnica Asia 2002 is the key event for the biosciences industry in Asia and will take place from 28-30 October 2002 at Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore. With the addition of BioTechnica Asia, which will be staged outside Germany and brought to Asia for the first time, this year~s event will bring key academic and industry players from around the world to Singapore to explore new frontiers and business opportunities in the biosciences.

Organised by Hannover Fairs Asia Pte Ltd and co-organised by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), BioMedical Asia and BioTechnica Asia 2002 aim to attract greater international participation from both visitors and delegates. Strong interest and participation are expected from Australia, Austria, Israel, Japan, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States, amongst others.

~We are confident that BioMedical Asia and BioTechnica Asia 2002 will provide a strong combined conference-exhibition programme that will not only bring together an international gathering of some of the most brilliant and highly-regarded people, but in addition, showcase a wide spectrum of cutting-edge technologies and innovations in this field. This premiere event provides a unique platform for industry players, startups, researchers and investors to share the latest trends and developments and harness new business opportunities. As Singapore develops into a leading Biomedical Sciences centre, key initiatives such as the organisation of this symposium are critical in creating greater global awareness of Singapore~s efforts in supporting the robust growth of this industry,~ commented Professor Louis Lim, Chairperson of the BioMedical Asia 2002 Steering Committee and Executive Director of the Biomedical Research Council, A*STAR.

Building on the success of last year~s event, the organisers are targeting to increase the number of exhibitors and visitors/conference delegates to 80 and 2,500 respectively. Last year~s BioMedical Asia saw 53 exhibitors and 1,050 visitors/conference delegates. The gross floor area for the exhibition will also expand from 1,100sqm last year to 1,700sqm.

~Singapore is well positioned as a hotbed for Biomedical Sciences in Asia and is an excellent venue for this regional conference and exhibition. Drawing on the strengths of BioMedical Asia and BioTechnica Asia, we hope to develop and grow the event into one of significant international standing,~ said Dr Andreas Gruchow, Director, International Trade Fairs Division of Deutsche Messe AG, the parent company of Hannover Fairs Asia.

BioMedical Asia and BioTechnica Asia 2002 will see world class speakers from the industry and academia come together with international exhibitors. The conference tracks and display categories have been carefully chosen to reflect the key research areas of interest in the Asia Pacific region as well as showcase an enhanced exhibition profile including Bioengineering, Bioinformatics/Services, Pharmaceuticals and Medicine, Equipment, Nutrition and The Environment.

Many of the prominent speakers at last year~s conference will be returning to share the latest insights and developments in the biosciences industry and research. One of the main themes of the conference will be on Drug Discovery with speakers touching on topics ranging from cell therapy research, small molecules to protein-based biologics therapy. The event will also be enhanced by the participation of members of the Singapore Biomedical Sciences International Advisory Committee (Please refer to Annex 1 for the list of IAC members).

One of the special features in this year~s event is the Bio-Partnering seminar. This new pre-conference programme will provide an avenue for companies to present their latest innovations and technologies, network with key players in the industry and academic field as well as seek investment opportunities with promising companies.

Added Ms Chu Swee Yeok, Director, Biomedical Sciences, EDB: ~Building on the success of the first Bio-Partnering Seminar held recently in London, this seminar will provide a unique opportunity for industry players, venture capitalists and scientists from all over the world to exchange ideas on scientific, business and technology issues that will hopefully lead to new and exciting collaborations in Singapore."

On the exhibition front, Singapore~s capabilities will be showcased as the Singapore Pavilion, through the presentations and displays by the various public research institutes. Last year, the Singapore Pavilion successfully presented Singapore~s Biomedical Sciences landscape and the many opportunities available which drew substantial interest from all participants.

About Hannover Fairs Asia

Hannover Fairs Asia Pte Ltd (HFA) is a subsidiary of the world-renowned Deutsche Messe AG, responsible for organising some of the world~s largest trade fairs such as CeBIT, BioTechnica, Hannover Messe, Domotex and Ligna.

HFA specialises in organising trade fairs in Asia~s rapidly developing markets, putting foreign companies in touch with new market opportunities and making your presence known to a global audience. HFA is your reliable partner to success.

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

The mission of A*STAR is to foster world class scientific research and develop talent for a vibrant Knowledge-Based Singapore. A*STAR is organised into four arms: two Research Councils, the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) and the Science & Engineering Research Council (SERC), a Corporate Planning and Administration Division (CPAD) and the agency~s commercialisation arm, Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd.

The Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) oversees and provides support to public sector biomedical research and development activities in Singapore. The Council also aims to strengthen collaborative public research in the biomedical sciences in Singapore.

The Council's objectives are to:
~   Support, sustain and stimulate excellent research for maintaining and improving human health,
~   Train people in high quality research skills to meet Singapore's health needs, quality of life and global economic competitiveness
~   Promote societal awareness of biomedical research

For more information on A*STAR, please refer to the website – http://www.a-star.gov.sg

About the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)

The EDB is the lead agency that plans and executes strategies to sustain Singapore as a compelling global hub for business and investment. It enables multinational and Singapore-based companies to enhance and upgrade to higher value-creating operations across manufacturing and internationally traded services, in a knowledge-driven global economy.

Set up in 1961, EDB acts as catalyst and facilitator to nurture a vibrant environment for startups and companies of all sizes. The Board works closely with other agencies to promote innovation and develop human, intellectual, financial and cultural capital in Singapore.

The Biomedical Sciences industry is being developed as the fourth pillar of Singapore's manufacturing sector, with world-class capabilities across the whole value chain. Through its Biomedical Sciences Group, EDB promotes the full range of Biomedical Sciences activities and ensures that there is a sound-supporting infrastructure in Singapore. With an international network of 16 offices including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Milan and Stockholm, EDB interacts with established and growing Biomedical Sciences companies in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology and healthcare services industries. Information on the Biomedical Sciences industry in Singapore is available at http://www.biomed-singapore.com.