Seoul, Sep 1, 2010: BioKorea 2010, an international biotech exhibition and conference has been inaugurated today at COEX tower, Seoul, South Korea. The event that attracts biotech, pharma, medical technology, research institutes and government agencies from countries like the US, Japan, EU, India and Australia; has been organized by Korea International Trade Association (KITA), Chungdheongbuk-do (Chungbuk),  and Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI). This three-day event is scheduled from Sep 1-3, 2010.

Inaugurating the event, Mr Sakong II, chairman and CEO, Korea International Trade Association, said that the South Korean government has recognized biotechnology as the knowledge-based industry that steers growth. He also added that by signing FDA agreements, and by realizing the importance of intellectual property and technology transfer, South Korea is all set to become one of the top 5 bio powers by 2016.

During his inaugural speech, Mr Lee Si-Jong, governer of Chungcheongbuk-do province, said, that the South Korean government is taking all measures to make the country a healthcare and biotech hub in the North East Asian region. The very purpose of conducting specialized events like BioKorea is to serve that purpose.

After the inauguration, plenary speeches were delivered by Nobel winning scientist, Dr Ada E Yonath, professor of Structural Biology & Director of Health & Milton A Kimmelman Center for Biomolecular Structure and Assembly, Weizmann Institute of Science; Dr John D Celmens, DG, International Vaccine Institute; and Dr Peter St Gregore-Hyslop, FRS, Professor of Cambridge Institute of Medical Research, University of Cambridge; on topics such as ribosome crystellography, research initiative to eradicate cholera in South Asian regions; and progress on finding remedy for Alzheimer's disease respectively.

BioKorea 2010 includes 17 tracks and 50 sessions on topics related to academic and professional experience of experts from within and outside South Korea.  The participants at the exhibition are from companies specializing in pharma and drug discovery; biotechnology, genomics and proteomics; industrial and environmental biotechnology; bio chips, bio-electronics, and bioinformatics, CRO, CMO, CSO, patent and legal services, venture capitals, consulting companies, medical devices & lab equipments, bioclusters, and academic research centers.

The event is received well with wide participation from various circles.