BIOTECHNICA 2011 on Course for Success
This year’s BIOTECHNICA will revolve around four keynote themes: In the “Biotechnology” section, the emphasis will be on R&D innovations and promising applications in the fields of healthcare, food production, industry and the environment. The “Laboratory Equipment” showcase will feature new developments in bioprocess technology, bioengineering and bioanalytics, while services for the biotech and pharmaceutical industries will be highlighted in the “Services” section. Finally, “Marketplace Technology Transfer” will put innovators in touch with potential investors. “We feel confident that these new thematic clusters perfectly reflect the needs and objectives of the markets we serve,” added Kühne. “Both in terms of exhibitor participation and booked space, the figures are already much higher than for the same timeframe last year. We therefore have every reason to look forward to what is sure to be a truly winning event.”
The show’s special mix of exhibitor offerings, conferences and dedicated displays makes it uniquely attractive and ensures full, in-depth coverage of today’s hottest topics, including biomedicine and bioinformatics as well as the newly featured topics of bioservices, food markets of the future and industrial biotechnology.
New showcases for added value
Four new special showcases will be launched this fall. According to Kühne “the first BioServices Platform will attract not only pharmaceutical and biotech companies but also highly specialized service providers involved in research in the area of bio-pharmaceutical medicine and the development and production of bio-pharmaceutical agents.” An accompanying scientific conference will provide in-depth information on the latest developments and trends in personalized medicine, biosimilars and bio-pharmaceutical agents.
Food biotechnology will be a major focus reflecting the fact – as Kühne explained – that this area has assumed increasing significance. “Consumers and legislators are increasingly demanding higher standards in relation to the safety and quality of food. And they expect conscientious and thorough food control.” Consequently, recent developments in food analysis and process technology are central to the dedicated “Biotechnological Innovation in Food” display and symposium which are premiering this year.”
Another first this October will be the “Industrial Biotechnology” display and a parallel forum focusing on innovative biotech applications for real-world industrial processing. The forum will also feature promising applications vying for state support in connection with the “BioIndustry 2021” initiative of the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF).
Another new program highlight is the special display “Biotech meets Pharmatech”. This new platform will showcase the combination of pharmaceutical products with biotech methods and is geared, in particular, to exhibitors and visitors from the fields of bio-processing, automation, clean room technology and sterile production processes.
Platform for business leads and technology transfer
A diverse supporting program will facilitate networking with the scientific community, industry, the services sector and government. The German-Russian Forum for Biotechnology will open up opportunities for future bilateral cooperation projects in research and education. An interesting agenda includes lectures and workshops for future-oriented cooperation models, financing programs for bilateral research projects, as well as a guided tour of BIOTECHNICA.
BIOTECHNICA provides start-up companies with a perfect networking platform. The Bio@venture Conference will give start-ups the opportunity to impress investors and venture capitalists with their innovative ideas. In addition, BIOTECHNICA will feature the “jobvector career day” especially for companies looking for qualified personnel.
Open forums held in the exhibition halls create additional opportunities for business leads. The INNOVATION FORUM will provide exhibitors with an excellent platform for company lectures, while the German Ministry for Education and Research will showcase government-funded projects aimed at networking science and industry. Finally, companies in the life-sciences research division (LSR) of the German Diagnostics Industry Association (VDGH) are organizing the Life Science Spotlight Forum, which will inform visitors about new methods in protein, stem cell and forensics research.
Opening Ceremony and Exhibitors’ Evening now united as “BIOTECHNICA NIGHT”
Starting in 2011, the BIOTECHNICA Opening Ceremony is being combined with the traditional Exhibitors’ Evening to create a single event called BIOTECHNICA NIGHT. BIOTECHNICA NIGHT 2011 will be held on the evening of the first day of BIOTECHNICA, 11 October, in the on-site Convention Center. The organizers are expecting to host an audience of about a thousand experts from the ranks of R&D, industry, the services sector and government.
Changes concerning the EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD
Among the changes made in connection with the EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD competition, the terms of entry have been altered such that an international panel of judges is now responsible for nominating the universities, companies or individuals to submit entries matching the keynote theme chosen by the jury each year. This year’s theme is technology transfer. The winner will have the opportunity to present its company and expertise in a keynote held at BIOTECHNICA NIGHT.