ABLE participated in the India-Scotland Business Meeting from 4th-6th March in Edinburgh, Scotland, leading a delegation of Indian companies. The event was organized by the Consulate General of India at Edinburgh and Scottish Development International, in collaboration with FICCI, ABLE, Grant Thornton UK and Scottish Enterprise at the City Chambers in Edinburgh, Scotland facilitating key discussions on strengthening biotech collaborations between the two nations. Mr Siddharth Malik, Consul General of India in Edinburgh played a key role in organizing this important business connect meeting. The delegation included Mr Narayanan Suresh, COO of ABLE Dr. Balasubramanya S, General Manager of ABLE; Dr. Maneesh Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Manipal-GoK Bioincubator; Mr. Roderick Stuart, Managing Partner of Cellagility Biomed and Mr. Midhun A Kunj, Founder of Vowels Lifesciences.

An MoU was signed between ABLE India & the Scottish Lifesciences Association, in the gracious presence of Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. While Mr Narayanan Suresh, COO, signed the MoU on behalf of ABLE, Scottish Lifesciences Association was represented by its CEO, Mr Scott Johnstone. Scotland deputy First Minister (deputy CM) Rt. Honourable Ms Kate Forbes, endorsed the MoU as a witness.

This partnership aims to foster cross-border innovation, investment, and technological exchange between Scotland and India, strengthening life sciences and technology-driven Foreign Direct Investment. The MoU aims to enhance the global competitiveness of companies in both nations, support collaborative R&D in key focus areas, and promote entrepreneurship among young innovators. The MoU serves as a strategic initiative to build strong linkages between biotechnology companies in Scotland and India, driving mutual growth and innovation in the sector.  With 130+ business delegates from India and Scotland, this event marked a significant step in fostering innovation, partnerships, and growth in the life sciences sector.

As part of the India-Scotland Business Meeting, sectoral site visits were organized by the Consulate of India at Edinburgh, offering valuable insights into Scotland’s thriving biotech and life sciences ecosystem. The delegation visited Piramal Pharma Group’s Manufacturing Site, Heriot-Watt University, Roslin Institute, and Edinburgh Technopole, engaging with key stakeholders in research, innovation, and manufacturing.

Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, also had an enriching interaction with Indian Ph.D. students at Roslin Institute, fostering academic and research collaboration.

The Indian Biotech delegation led by ABLE also participated in the Lifesciences roundtable organized in collaboration with Scottish Lifesciences Association & ABLE. This roundtable brought together key stakeholders from the Department of Biotechnology, Scottish Enterprise, and other leading biotech companies from India & Scotland to discuss collaboration in biotech, healthcare, and innovation. Mr Suresh presented an overview of India’s Biotech Industry and how its manufacturing expertise in biopharmaceuticals and vaccine is key to ensuring that there is a stable, equitable, and affordable healthcare system in the world. A dynamic Q&A session with Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, and industry leaders sparked insightful discussions on strengthening partnerships, driving research, and fostering innovation in the life sciences sector.

Rt. Honourable John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland (equivalent to CM) hosted a special reception at his residence for the India delegates on 4th March 2025.