The Hindu Business Line : Bio-2004 ends with optimism

THE BIO 2004 annual international convention, which drew a record participation, came to a close on Wednesday amid tremendous optimism among participants about the future of the biotech industry.

The success of the convention and exhibition may be gauged by the fact that 16,900 registered delegates representing 61 countries and 49 US states as also 10 Canadian provinces took part. The exhibit hall featured a record 1,469 displays drawn from 60 countries.

The economic impact on the city of San Francisco, its hotels, restaurants, taxi operators, etc is estimated at $35 million, also a record, organisers asserted.

"Networking among stakeholders and education that went on for four days will have effects for years to come as new discoveries are pursued and new drug therapies find their way to patients," the organisers said.

Protests and police action to quell violent action marred the peaceful atmosphere to an extent. Activists numbering a few hundreds were seen demonstrating outside the venue and at other places, raising protests against genetically modified organisms. Protesters this correspondent spoke to charged life science corporates such as Monsanto of impoverishing small farmers, especially those engaged in organic cultivation.

Clearly, all of them were emotionally charged. Many who take part in the demonstration appeared to be under-employed and with limited academic achievement.

Philadelphia is the site for BIO 2005, to be followed by Chicago (2006), Boston (2007), San Diego (2008), and Atlanta (2009).

BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organisations in all 50 US states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.