Guest speakers include a UN official and major industry players
The Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), the region’s first business cluster dedicated to biotechnology, today held a conference titled ‘Business in Biotechnology Symposium’, which saw leading international experts speaking about various business aspects of this rapidly growing industry.
The Symposium discussed issues and opportunities surrounding business in this sector. Experts and industry players presented their perspectives on regulations and business strategies in the industry.
Speakers included Dr Abdulqader Al Khayat, DuBiotech Executive Director, George Tzotzos from the Chief Biotechnology
Unit at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and Fadi Ghosaini Head of Business Development, The Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX).
“Biotechnology is transforming the quality of our lives through groundbreaking research and discoveries," said Dr. Abdulqader Al Khayat, Executive Director of DuBiotech. “The symposium provided many insights on how to accelerate the conversion of biotech discoveries and innovation into viable business propositions. It also enlightened biotech businesses on how to gain access to venture capital and attract critical strategic partners," he added.
Topics discussed at the symposium included: Biotechnology: Opportunities and challenges, Biotechnology transfer: compliance with the provisions of international agreements and conventions, The VC View on the Pharma/Biotech sector, Exit strategies for VC’s for commercialization of research and Research Commercialization Business Practices and Ecosystems.
The symposium ended with a question and answer session that provied a valuable forum for the exchange of ideas on business in biotechnology.
The DuBiotech project was announced in February 2005 and will create a comprehensive infrastructure and environment
to catalyse biotech industry development in the region.
The park development will cover over 30 million square feet of built-up area. Its infrastructure offering will comprise of custom-made research and development (R&D) facilities - such as labs, clean rooms and incubators, office space and residential facilities. The first development of DuBiotech will be ready by early 2006.
Source :
www.dubiotech.com 
