Numerous Conference Premieres

One of the key aims of BIOTECHNICA was to provide a networking hub for industry, government and research. In the Biotechnology Project Forum the German Ministry of Education and Research presented all subsidized research projects completed in 2008. Around 120 scientists were available over the three-day show to talk with visitors and answer their questions. The "Science to Market" forum staged by the European Association of Pharma Biotechnology (EAPB) was staged to promote collaboration between industry and research in the area of pharmaceutical biotechnology. An excellent platform for direct networking between exhibitors and visitors was provided by the "BIOTECHNICA Innovation Forums", which were integrated into the exhibition and allowed for exhibitor presentations of their companies and products. The program of conferences, forums and workshops drew over 3,000 attendees in all.

The BIOTECHNICA partnering concept proved a successful mechanism for bringing business partners together from all over the world. International participants from 190 companies used this platform to widen their circle of business contacts. The number of scheduled business meetings was up a total of 30 percent on the previous year.

The "jobvector career day" careers platform highlighted a host of attractive career prospects in the life sciences sector. Job-seekers visiting the event were able to speak personally with HR managers from leading companies.

A traditional exhibition highlight was the presentation of the EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD, carrying a prize purse of 100,000 euros. This year's winner was the Swiss biopharmaceutical company NovImmune.