The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry has organized a Seminar on Biotech and Pharmaceuticals, themed “Overview & Linkage between Biotech and Pharma” on 11th September 2024 at Williamson Magor Hall of The Bengal Chamber premises. The Biotech and Pharmaceuticals Committee is a newly formed Committee of The Bengal Chamber and this was the first programme of the Committee.

The Seminar was graced by the esteemed presence of Shri Ujjal Biswas, Honourable Minister in Charge of the Department of Science, Technology and Bio-Technology, Government of West Bengal as the Chief Guest.

With the objective of augmenting our State’s immense potential and contribution to the growth of pharma and biotech industry in the region and the country, we have also presented a recommendation on the State’s Biotech Policy to the Honourable Minister.

In the Opening Session, welcome address was given by Mr. Abhijit Banerjee, Vice President, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Managing Director, Linde India Limited.

Prof. (Dr.) Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay, Chairperson, Biotech and Pharma Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Vice Chancellor, Sister Nivedita University delivered the theme address of the programme and special address about the seminar was deliberated by Mr. Debarshi Duttagupta, Co-Chairperson, Biotech and Pharma Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Managing Director, East India Pharmaceutical Works Limited.

The Seminar also witnessed a Special Address by Mr. Abhijit Banerjee, Vice President, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Managing Director, Linde India Limited on Future of Drug Delivery Systems: Unification of Medical Gases and Biotechnology.

Followed by the Opening Session a Technical Session was also organized which was chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay, Chairperson, Biotech and Pharma Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Vice Chancellor, Sister Nivedita University and the speakers for the session were Mr. Debarshi Duttagupta, Co-Chairperson, Biotech and Pharma Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry ; Dr. Barun Kanta Bhattacharyya, Manager- R&D, East India Pharmaceutical Works Limited. They have spoken on Future trends and opportunities in the Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. Other Speakers were Dr. Debdutta Bandyopadhyay, Chief Training Officer, ATGC Diagnostics Private Limited, who spoke about Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Accelerate Investment in Health and Bio Technologies & Advancements in Drug Development; Dr. Sangita Sen Majee, Head - Technology Transfer Office, IKP-PRIME, IKP Knowledge Park, Hyderabad highlighted on Sustainable Bio-entrepreneurship in Developing Nation and Prof. Susanta Roy Choudhury, Chairman, ATGC Diagnostics Private Limited discussed about AI and Health Sciences.

This seminar represented a significant opportunity for the stakeholders to explore the dynamic intersection between biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, two fields that are not only at the forefront of scientific innovation but also critical to the health and well-being of our communities. The collaboration between these sectors adopts advancements that can lead to innovative treatments and improved healthcare solutions.

The Technical Session was followed by a Q&A Session with the audience. The Seminar was attended by more 100 delegates.