Expanding collaboration between Telangana, India and Flanders, Belgium, the 21st edition of BioAsia, Asia’s largest life-sciences and Health Tech forum, has named Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) as the International Regional Partner for 2024. The continued partnership between Flanders and BioAsia, organized by the Government of Telangana, reflects the growing position and size of both regions in the global life sciences area.
BioAsia was established with the vision of boosting innovation, discoveries, and effective solutions within the biotechnology industry. The platform serves as a global hub, bringing together key stakeholders such as Biotech & Biopharma Companies, research institutions, academia, investors, service providers, policymakers, regulators, and analysts. BioAsia is dedicated to driving industry growth by facilitating collaborations, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions, while also promoting knowledge and experience sharing among global industry players.
Flanders, a vibrant and active region of Belgium, has positioned its Lifesciences & Health sector as a central point for growth. It stands out within the European Union for its remarkable achievements, holding the 1st position for clinical trial procedure speed and biotech market capitalization, 2nd for pharma and biotech patent applications per capita. Last year, Flanders actively participated in BioAsia 2023, exploring opportunities in the Lifesciences sector, focusing on Vaccines, mRNA technological platforms, Immunotherapy, and Life Sciences university partnerships.
For the 2024 edition, Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) will bring a delegation of senior officials to engage in various B2B, G2B, and other meetings. The partnership has already witnessed several initiatives to promote trade tie-ups between the two regions, including the formation of a task force comprising industry, academia, and government representatives. This collaboration aims to foster innovation and accelerate the development of breakthrough technologies.
Expressing enthusiasm about the partnership, D Sridhar Babu, Honorable Minister for Industries and IT, Government of Telangana, highlighted the complementary strengths of Telangana and Flanders. He highlighted the exchange of knowledge and collaborative research initiatives as key drivers to create an environment nurturing innovation and accelerating technological advancements. The minister sees this exchange contributing not only to the growth of the respective life sciences sectors but also positioning Telangana and Flanders as global leaders in scientific research and innovation.
Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary of Industries & Commerce and Information Technology, Govt of Telangana, spoke optimistically about the partnership, expecting collaborative investments, joint ventures, and the establishment of research and development centers. By merging resources and expertise, both regions aim to contribute significantly to global advancements in healthcare, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
FIT, the Flemish public agency under the Flanders Government, has been active in India for the last 25 years, playing an important role in promoting economic cooperation between Flanders and India. Belgium, being the nerve centre of Europe, provides Flanders with a combination of a focused research and innovation ecosystem, a highly educated workforce with language fluency, and a well-developed transport and communication infrastructure.
Jayant Nadiger, Trade & Investment Commissioner of Flanders, Belgium for South India, expressed gratitude for the role played by BioAsia in developing a collaborative ecosystem. He highlighted the tangible exchanges over the past twelve months, strengthening economic ties and fostering a culture of innovation and knowledge exchange. The collaboration has not only strengthened economic ties but has also provided a platform for businesses, researchers, and policymakers from both regions to come together and explore collaborative opportunities.
BioAsia 2024, themed “Data & AI: Redefining Possibilities,” is scheduled to be held from 26th to 28th February 2024 in Hyderabad. The event aims to attract global leaders from over 50 countries. With Flanders, Belgium as the International Regional Partner, the platform is expected to accelerate connections between businesses and developing enterprises. Shakthi Nagappan, Director (Life Sciences and Pharma), Govt of Telangana and CEO – BioAsia, highlighted the importance of this partnership.
He called it a evidence to two similar regions coming together, increasing connectivity, and paving a path for a future driven by robust research, innovation, and excellence. Over the three days of BioAsia 2024, industry leaders, scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs will gather to discuss humanizing healthcare. Constructive discussions will revolve around how cross-sectional ecosystems can be integrated, how disruptive technologies can be best utilized, and how quality healthcare with accessibility and affordability can be prioritized in the near future.
