ABLE elects new office bearers

To focus on improved strategies to catapult the industry to new heights

The executive council of the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) has elected Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director, Biocon as its first non-executive chairman in an honorary capacity. Dr P M Murali, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Evolva Biotech has been re-elected as President for a second term. Shrikumar Suryanarayan, Chairman, Sea6 Energy has been elected as the Vice President and Dr Goutam Das, the Chief Operating Officer, ABLE has been elected as the secretary and will also hold the treasurer portfolio. The new office bearers will serve in their new positions for a period of three years from 2015 to 2018.

The new office bearers will focus on addressing industry view points on Indian bio-diversity, to try to bring about a conducive climate for the growth of synthetic biology for industrial, pharmaceutical and agricultural applications, on addressing issues connected with experimental animals, to prepare a consultative draft policy paper on bio-similars regulations and to bring out a white paper on Foreign Investment Promotion Board.

Biotech industry has the potential to grow to contribute to the national overall GDP and ABLE has been playing the interface between the industry, academia, investors and the various government organisations at the state and central levels. These initiatives are aimed towards meaningful interactions with ministries in the government and act as a good guiding principle for a number of Biotech initiatives that the government is planning. The high demand for different biotech products has also opened up scope for the foreign companies to set up base here. Positive messaging and initiatives will automatically improve the investment scenario in the country which in turn will boost the growth of the sector. The biotechnology sector in India has been witnessing accelerated growth in the past and is now attaining critical mass in terms of skills and capabilities to become a truly global player after a decade of lull. The Indian biotech industry holds about two per cent share of the global biotech industry which needs to grow to double digits.