Bangalore: India's premier biotech show, Bangalore India Bio 2013, which is organised by the department of information technology, bio-technology and science and technology, Government of Karnataka, India, and the Vision Group on Biotechnology, featured a session to analyse and discuss the ABLE report titled, 'Indian biotechnology: The roadmap to the next decade and beyond'. The report was released in the inauguration function of the 13th edition of Bangalore India Bio on February 4, 2013. Following this there was a panel discussion that saw several eminent individuals share their view on the ABLE report.

The report was presented by Dr Satya Dash, strategic alliance and partnership consultant, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. He said, "Various interactions such as the present gathering between industry, academia, internal meetings and workshops has helped in the making for such an important document. Various challenges facing our nation, mirrors the needs and requirements of the world as well as the need for a reduced dependence on fossil fuels, environmental remediation, development in agro-biotechnology are areas for which life sciences and biotechnology would provide sustainable solutions."

He further said, "India has grown from $500 million-to-$5 billion industry from 2003-to-2012. ABLE has recognized that our country has key components to support this industry due to our current knowledge and progress in various domains such as bio-similars, vaccines, bio- manufacturing, rise in IP registrations and stem cells among others. Some of the challenges that the industry faces are regulatory systems, lack of infrastructure for start-up and SME companies, restricted access to technology across all industries and academic sizes."

He also added, "Recommendations of the report were to train world class man power, revamp the university system in India, promote translation of academic research, promote BT entrepreneurship, develop homemade medical diagnostic devices instead of relying on Imports. The recommendations for these solutions were optimal government intervention for sustainability of industry and research, partnership and mission-oriented approaches would help in implementation, and harnessing and sustaining entrepreneurship will also make a difference."

In his talk, Prof K VijayRaghavan, secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, said that, "There are a range of issues that we have to tackle in order to make this a $100 billion industry. Although opportunities are available but connections and communication is required for bridging the gap."