Singapore: BIOtech 2013 in Japan, which is one-of-the-largest bio events in Asia, concluded successfully. The event was held in Tokyo, from May 8-10, 2013, and displayed significant growth both in the scale and the quality as compared to the previous year.

The magnitude of success witnessed by the event can adjudged from the fact that it saw participation from 603 exhibitors from 25 countries, up from 490 exhibitors from 15 countries in 2012. BIOtech 2012 Japan also saw 10,362 visitors from around the world, 237 presentations, and 4,845 attendees to the keynote and special sessions.

One of the many factors that lead to the success of the event was that the Japanese bio industry is showing signs of recovery and further growth. The government has extended its support towards biopharma-related research and the sector is also fueled by newcomers from other industries, business and innovation.

Growing interests toward the Japanese market also resulted in an increased number of attendees from overseas. Due to the economic stagnation in Europe, more overseas biotech companies chose to exhibit at the show, setting their target to Japan. The number of overseas exhibitors almost doubled from the previous show. Also, increased numbers of overseas visitors were seen having active business talks at the event, attracted by latest research achievements and products that were presented at the show.

Some of the main highlights of the BIOtech 2013 in Japan, include doubling in the number of appointments that were set through the 'Bio Partnering System'; attendance of many global leaders most of whom were coming back to Japan after a few years of break; increased number of overseas exhibitors, especially from Europe; participation form newcomers from other industries and venture/start-up companies, especially at the new 'table-top exhibiting area'; and the keynote sessions and 10 lines of special sessions that attracted 4,845 attendees in total, covering the hot topics such as stem cells, regenerative medicine, orphan drug, antibody drug, and personalized medicine among others.