Life Sciences & Healthcare Seminar (9th Nov-Mumbai) : Abstract.15/11/2017

Life Sciences & Healthcare Seminar

On the 9^th of November, on the occasion of the State Visit of Their Majesties, the King and the Queen of the Belgians, the Wallonia Trade & Investment Agency at the Consulate of Belgium in Mumbai organised The Life Sciences and Healthcare Seminar at Hotel Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai. Indian and Belgian companies from the Healthcare & Life Sciences sector with a focus on Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology and Medical Device.

Presence of Her Majesty the Queen of the Belgians and His Excellencies from India and Belgium as well as top lifesciences and Healthcare companies from both the countries

Her Majesty the Queen of the Belgians made the closing session special. H.E. Dr.Deepak Sawant, the minister of Health and Welfare of Maharashtra, H.E. Willy Borsus, Minister President of Wallonia, Minister Secretary De Crem, Federal Govt. of Belgium, Mrs. & Mr. Poonawalla among other dignitaries. Top companies from Belgium and India from Life Sciences & Healthcare sectors attended the event.

Attracting characteristics for both countries

On one hand, it should come as surprise to no one that the Indian life sciences and healthcare sectors present an exciting opportunity to both foreign and domestic players. Indeed, the Indian healthcare sector is growing rapidly and advance at a CAGR (Compound Average Growth Rate) of 17 %. Moreover the sector enjoys a strong support from the government. It results to an increase of the investments both foreign and domestic and creates important innovation opportunities.

On the other hand, Belgium also has particularities to be argued in life sciences and healthcare industry. The main attractions of Belgium in the life sciences and healthcare sectors are a broad talent pool of academics and entrepreneurs, a cutting-edge innovation ecosystem, a strategic location and smart financing options.

In the first Session, “Innovation: “Breakthrough cases and (future) collaboration between India & Belgium”, 7 Belgian companies presented themselves and made a pitch related to the topic: Cardiatis, Syngulon, Reynders, Minafin, Trasis, Cerepharma, and 4XScience. It was followed by a panel discussion led by Pr. Foidart and Dr. Laskar

During the second Session, “Innovation: health Issues, challenges and how Belgium and India can bring complementary solutions in this regard?” 8 Belgian companies shared their point of view: IBA, Mithra, Univercells, Zeus Soft, Vesale Pharma, UCB, Amplycells, and Revatis. It was followed by a panel discussion led by Dr. Vikram Patel & Dr. Shaligram.

The concluding session was addressed by of Dr. Sudeep Gupta, Director of the Tata Memorial Centre, Dr. Deepak Sawant, H.E. Minister of Health & Welfare, Government of Maharashtra and H.E. Willy Borsus, Minister President of Wallonia.

Prominent Industry representatives and Ministries from both the countries had interaction with HM the Queen of Belgian at VVIP Lounge.

A networking cocktail followed seminar, the session ended with meet and greet with HM the Queen of the Belgians.

Reviews

Alain Gerardy, Chief of Protocol of the Royal Palace, Belgium : 

We experienced a wonderful and intense week! We succeeded in complementing the "Indian way of working" where needed, working together in a way I have rarely experienced in recent years.

Such a team work has only been possible thanks to the personal commitment of each one of you. The King and the Queen have returned from this State visit with a feeling of great satisfaction. 

In their names and in my personal name, I thank you warmly for you kind cooperation, your continuous availability, your good advice and you professionalism.

I wish you all a good rest and a nice (short) weekend together with your family.

I congratulate you once more with this fine result!

Jean-Manuel Fontaine, Head of External Affairs,Mithra Pharmaceuticals:

On behalf of François Fornieri (CEO) and Pr. J.-M. Foidart we would like to express our congratulations and gratitude to the AWEX team for the fantastic job you have done in setting-up this life sciences seminar. The organisation, moderation, follow-up was smooth and continuous and we have felt very well accompanied to deliver a great job.

Moreover, the support you provided has been instrumental to ensure our prospects were present at the seminar and hence contribute importantly to our BD.

Harpinder Pal, Revatis SA/NV:

Thanks a lot for your appreciation; and your proactive steps to organise our meetings and all types of support. Our meeting with Mr Poonawalla was very productive.  Seminar and all events were well organised and provided us great opportunities to interact and share ideas. We had a pleasant stay in Mumbai.  We are very hopeful to establish our presence in India and move further.

Eric Poskin, Corporate & Strategy Director, Vésale Pharma International:

Thanks to the Life Sciences seminar where we presented Vésale Pharma, we were able to meet another local actor with whom we have already signed an NDA with a view to setting up a joint development partnership and specific probiotic products combined.

This mission backed by the State Visit was therefore a great success for our company; we started it with fanfare in New Delhi and ended it on a very promising note in Mumbai. Personally but in the name of Vésale Pharma too, thank you again to you and the team for what you have allowed us to achieve in India.

Dr. Sudeep Gupta, M.D., D.M., Deputy Director, (CRC) ACTREC:

I enjoyed the meeting. All the best.

Chandrashekhar Tike,Vice President - Sales & Marketing, Torrent Pharmaceuticals : 

Thank you very much for all the coordination and successful completion of the event. Yes, it was a fruitful interaction with the Belgian Companies.

Meenu Batolar, Country Representative & Head – Regulatory Affairs Indi, UCB India:

Thanks AWEX for the opportunity. All the best.

Dale Emerson, Zeus Soft : 

Congratulation to AWEX team – not easy to organize. I personally enjoyed the event I learnt a lot – as Dr Welling said he does not often take the time to keep up to date with things – this event was a good learning event for him as well. I am happy my non-life science input was appreciated – it was a challenge for me to adapt from my ‘normal’ market and adapt to a broader presentation of product innovation and market fit. – I am glad if I brought something worthwhile it certainly forced me to get out of my comfort zone and develop new capacities – I thank you for this. Indian Partner company and our company are moving closer to a collaboration thanks to your efforts – these events and the Royal input are positive factors.

Once again, well done.

Rajesh K Sinha, Associate Vice President – Business Development & In Licensing, Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd.: 

Our sincere thanks for providing opportunity to Sun Pharma and inviting us to the consulate seminar for Life Sciences and extending the opportunity to meet and greet Her Majesty, the Queen of Belgians. It was a great honor for us.

It was indeed pleasure to meet our potential Belgian Partner, and we sincerely believe that we had good partnering discussions. As a next step depending on our progress, some of our colleagues may have to travel in near future to Belgium. We will solicit your help and assistance, if required in near future.

We once again deeply appreciate your help in arranging this meeting.

Thanks and warm regards

Dr Laskar, Tata Mémorial Center:       

Thank you very much. Regards.

Dr. Umesh Shaligram, Director, Serum Institute of India: 

Thanks lot for your kind invitation. It was indeed pleasure to meet Her highness Queen and His highness king.

Thanks for everything and excellently organised event. Greatly appreciated.

Keep in touch.

Ravi Mathur, Senior Director Supply Chain - Head of Logistics, Central Planning and Corporate Sourcing, Dr. Reddys:       

Congratulations for organising the wonderful event and thank you for the invitation. It was indeed an honour to shake hand with Her Majesty.