Minister of Science and Technology and Ocean Development, Kapil Sibal, will lead an Indian Government delegation to the fifth convention of the Biotechnology Industry Organisation (BIO), to be held in Chicago from April 9-12, 2006.

Dr Swati Piramal, Chairperson, CII Biotechnology Committee and Director, Strategic Alliances and Communications, Nicholas Piramal India Ltd will lead the industry delegation.

The BIO convention is the largest gathering of biotechnology leaders in the world, attracting more than 18,000 participants, and featuring over 180 sessions, almost 1000 speakers, and over 1600 exhibitors.

For the last four years, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has been organizing its annual biotech mission coinciding with BIO. CII is the official contact for BIO for participation from India.

A special seminar on "Food and Agriculture- Growth Engines for India" is also being planned at the main BIO Conference to deliberate on possible areas for R&D partnerships and collaboration with other countries. The CII mission will also have several meetings and company visits in Washington DC prior to the start of BIO.

Last year, CII coordinated a very successful 50-member Mission to the US. The Indian biotech industry made a strong pitch to attract global attention.

Besides Sibal and Dr. Piramal, the CII Biotech Mission would include Dr M K Bhan, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, U N Behera, Joint Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Ramesh Adige, Whole time Director - Corporate Affairs and GCC, Ranbaxy Laborartories, Sri Mosur, Chief Executive Officer, Jubliant Biosys Ltd, Dr Rama Mukherjee, President, Dabur Research Foundation, Dr M Vidyasagar, Executive Vice President, Tata Consultancy Services, K O Isaac, Chairman & Managing Director, ABL Biotechnologies Ltd among others.

(www.newkerala.com)