President's Message
Wishing You And Your Families Merry Christmas And A Very Happy New Year.
2024-12
At the outset, I would like to thank the members who participated to successfully conclude the 22nd Annual General Meeting of ABLE on 14th December 2024 in Bengaluru. The active participation and appreciation for the varied activities conducted by the Association within the country and outside will further boost the members of the Governing Body and the Secretariat to spread the message of our industry’s immense contribution to the $ 151 billion BioEconomy.
The day was also significant as we could conduct the National finals of BEST (Biotech Entrepreneurship for Student Teams) and voice for BT (Public speaking contest for final year Undergrad and first year Masters BT students), two of ABLE’s popular events that engages and encourages, the budding BT students and future industry leaders. The top 2 zonal winning teams from North, East, West and South in the BEST competition and the Top 2 winners of voice for BT from the 4 zones competed fiercely for the winner’s slots on December 14. I would like to thank the 5 jury members, Dr B Gopal (Indian Institute of Science), Mr Arun Chandru (Pandordum Technologies), Ms Sowmya Shresth (Novonesis), Dr Maharnob Sircar (Yokogawa Technologies) and Dr Sridhar Ramanathan (IKP Edge) for their valuable insights provided to the BEST teams and patiently listening to the amazing speeches by the voice for BT contestants and finally choosing the Top 2 winners.
I am very happy to inform you that ABLE’s efforts in the past 12 years to push for significant changes in the Biological Diversity Act have seen traction. The government has notified a large number of changes suggested by ABLE to make the implementation of the Act very smooth for biotech companies. We conducted a webinar to explain the salient features of the industry friendly changes incorporated in the Act. The Webinar was moderated by our in-house expert, Mr Ravi Bhola (K & S Partners) and the two external speakers Dr Malathi Lakshmikumaran and Dr Suhas Nimbalkar highlighted the importance of the key changes. The webinar was very well attended and all the participant queries were answered. In addition, ABLE has submitted the recommendations from members about the need for some more changes required, in a memorandum submitted to the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) of India for further action. ABLE experts participated actively in the two stakeholder meetings conducted by the NBA on 19th December 2024 to further emphasize the need for some more changes to make the biodiversity rules even better.
ABLE is yet again hosting the India Pavilion at the forthcoming BIO International Convention in Boston, USA from June 16-19, 2025. The India Pavilion at the same event in 2023 at San Diego was a great hit with participants making very useful business connections. The limited space at the India Pavilion is fast filling up and I request members to book their preferred booths at the earliest.
The ABLE Governing body members representing various focus groups have had meetings with our members from various segments of BT business to prioritize on key areas of growth. You would see more development in this front and solicit your valuable inputs.
THE ABLE ‘BIOECONOMY CONCLAVE’ IS SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2025 AT BANGALORE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND SUPPORT. YOU WILL HEAR MORE ON THIS SOON.
Thank you all for your great support and cooperation in 2024 and we would like to seek your continued support and cooperation in 2025.
WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Happy reading!