Fabales - the monthly newsletter of FABA
January | Volume 03, no. 1
As 2025 unfolds, the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) stands at the convergence of groundbreaking innovations—from revolutionizing crop genetics to pioneering gene therapies—where each breakthrough brings us closer to addressing humanity's most pressing challenges in health, agriculture, and sustainable development.
March 2025: A Month of Innovation
→ 3-7 March: Crop Improvement Course (Online)
→ 11-13 March: VESICON 2025 at Mahindra University
→ 15 March: International Conference on Healthspan and Aging at Sindhu Hospital
→ 21-23 March: AI & Cheminformatics Workshop Series (Online)
Fabales will keep you informed of all the events and activities happening at FABA and our International chapters.
Whether you're a researcher, a biotech entrepreneur, or simply interested in the field, FABA is dedicated to promoting and advancing the biotechnology industry in Asia.
Join us today to be a part of this exciting and dynamic community!
1. Distinguished Lecture Series: Frontiers of Biotechnology
FABA's commitment to fostering global scientific exchange was exemplified through two transformative lectures at the University of Hyderabad, bringing together pioneers in gene therapy and AI-driven healthcare.
Revolutionizing Gene Therapy: From Lab to Life-Saving Treatments
Dr. Roger Hajjar | Director, MGB Gene and Cell Therapy Institute, Mass General Brigham
In a captivating session, Dr. Hajjar illuminated the remarkable progress in gene therapy since 2018, with particular emphasis on groundbreaking developments in:
Oncology and rare disease treatment
Cardiovascular gene therapy for heart failure
Novel adeno-associated virus vector applications
Addressing the critical "Valley of Death"—the "challenging gap between laboratory breakthroughs and clinical applications"—Dr. Hajjar introduced his innovative "Rise" model, offering practical solutions through:
Resource sharing frameworks
Industry collaboration strategies
Sustainable funding approaches
A dynamic panel discussion, expertly moderated by Dr. Uday Saxena, explored India's emerging role in the global gene therapy landscape, highlighting both progress in cell therapy and ongoing challenges in development and patent protection.
2. AI and Healthcare: Charting the Future of Bioinformatics
Srinivas Thirunagari, MS | Founder & CEO, Karyon Bio, USA
Complementing Dr. Hajjar's insights, Mr. Thirunagari presented a compelling vision of AI's transformative role in healthcare delivery and biotechnology research. His presentation offered:
Practical Applications: Real-world implementations of AI in healthcare settings
Regional Focus: Targeted solutions for India's unique healthcare challenges
Career Insights: Guidance for emerging professionals in biotech
Ethical Framework: Considerations for responsible AI implementation in healthcare
These landmark lectures underscore FABA's role in bridging global expertise with local innovation, fostering the next generation of biotechnology breakthroughs. Through such initiatives, we continue to strengthen India's position in the global biotechnology landscape while creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration.
2. Crop Improvement: From Breeding to Genome Editing
The Agri Biotech Foundation (ABF) in partnership with FABA and Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) are presenting a timely online refresher course on "Crop Improvement: From Breeding to Genome Editing" from 3-7 March 2025. This comprehensive program brings together leading experts from around the world to explore the latest developments in crop improvement technologies.
View full brochure
In an era where food security and sustainable agriculture are paramount, this course offers a unique opportunity to learn from pioneers in the field. The program features an impressive roster of speakers including Prof. Rajeev K. Varshney from Murdock University, Australia, Dr. Giuseppe L. Rotino from CREA-GB, Italy; and Prof. A.S.N. Reddy from Colorado State University, USA, among other distinguished experts.
The course curriculum covers crucial areas including:
Advanced plant genomics and marker-assisted breeding techniques
Latest developments in genetically modified crops
RNA interference applications in crop protection
Cutting-edge genome engineering methods
Bioinformatics and nanotechnology in agriculture
A highlight of the program is the panel discussion on "Biotechnological Intervention for Sustainable Agriculture," featuring industry leaders and policymakers. The panel will explore practical applications and future directions in agricultural biotechnology.
The course is designed for a broad audience, including UG/PG/PhD students, young scientists, faculty members, and industry professionals. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance upon completion.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from global experts in crop improvement.
Registration is open until 28 February 2025.
3. The Future of Healthy Aging at Hyderabad
The intersection of aging research and healthcare innovation takes center stage at the upcoming 1st International Conference on Healthspan and Aging, scheduled for 15 March 2025, at Sindhu Hospitals in Hyderabad. This pioneering event marks a significant milestone in India's contribution to global aging research and interventions.
Distinguished biogerontologist Dr. Suresh Rattan from Aarhus University, Denmark, leads an impressive roster of speakers who will explore cutting-edge developments in aging intervention. The keynote speaker, Dr. Marcus Ranney, founder of Human Edge and a Guinness World Record holder, brings his expertise in personalized performance strategies and the innovative concept of "Longevity Athlete Builder."
Young researchers and students have a unique opportunity to showcase their work through poster presentations, with three Healthspan and Aging Innovation Awards offering substantial recognition and support for groundbreaking research. The awards, ranging from 50,000 to 2 lakh INR, demonstrate the organizers' commitment to fostering innovation in this field.
As populations age globally, this conference arrives at a crucial time, offering insights and solutions for one of humanity's most pressing challenges. It represents not just a gathering of minds but a step forward in our quest to enhance the quality of life in our later years.
4. VESICON 2025: Bridging the Gap Between Vesicle Science and Clinical Innovation
In a significant development for biomedical research in India, the Indian Extracellular Vesicles Society (IEVS) announces VESICON 2025, a three-day international conference poised to transform our understanding of cellular communication and its therapeutic applications. Scheduled for 11-13 March 2025 at Mahindra University, Hyderabad, this pioneering event brings together global leaders in extracellular vesicle (EV) research.
The conference theme, "Where Vesicle Science Meets Clinical Innovation," reflects the rapidly evolving landscape of EV research and its increasing importance in medical applications. With breakthrough developments in diagnostics, drug delivery, and disease management, EVs are emerging as crucial players in next-generation therapeutics. The conference also emphasizes nurturing young talent through mentor-mentee programs and poster presentations.
FABA is proud to sponsor several prestigious awards at VESICON 2025 to recognize excellence and foster innovation in EV research:
Best Poster Awards – Showcasing outstanding visual presentations on EV research and innovation
Best Oral Presentation Awards – Honoring impactful and engaging scientific talks
Travel Awards – Supporting promising participants with travel grants to attend VESICON 2025
Young Scientist Awards – Recognizing emerging talent and contributions to the EV community
Blog Writing Awards – Celebrating creative and insightful blog posts that advance EV research communication
This VESICON 2025 not only highlights India's growing contribution to global biomedical research but also sets the stage for future innovations in EV science and its clinical applications.
5. Advancing AI & Cheminformatics in Drug Discovery: Hands-on Workshop Series
FABA continues to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application through our popular AI & Cheminformatics Workshop series.
Led by distinguished experts including Dr. Suneel Kumar BVS, CEO of ATOMICAS AI Solutions, Dr. M. Rami Reddy from Rational Labs Inc., Dr. Arvind Rao from the University of Michigan, and Dr. Sailu Yellaboina from AIIMS Bibinagar, this comprehensive three-day program combines theoretical insights with hands-on experience in:
Advanced computer-aided drug discovery approaches
Practical applications of AI in pharmaceutical research
Healthcare data analytics and real-world applications
Drug-likeness assessment and dataset visualization
Machine learning models and molecular fingerprint clustering
The workshop features ATOMICAS' innovative teaching platform, designed to facilitate systematic learning through practical examples and interactive sessions. Participants will gain hands-on experience with industry-leading tools while working on real-world drug discovery challenges.
Registration Details:
Dates: 21-23 March 2025
Format: Online
Times: 9:00 AM IST
Ideal for students, researchers, and professionals in chemistry, drug discovery, pharma, biotech, and computational chemistry.
Register now to secure your spot in this transformative learning experience.
6. India's First National NBM-RTTO Technology Licensing Program
In a significant move to bridge the gap between research and commercialization, the National Biopharma Mission (NBM) announces its first National NBM-RTTO Technology Licensing Event. Scheduled for 24 February 2025, at T-Hub, Hyderabad, this groundbreaking initiative promises to reshape the landscape of technology transfer in India's pharmaceutical and medical sectors.
Under the leadership of Dr. Raj Shirumalla, Mission Director of NBM, this event marks a crucial step in accelerating the commercialization of indigenous innovations. The gathering brings together Regional Technology Transfer Offices (RTTOs) from across the country, creating a unique platform for stakeholders in the pharmaceutical, medical devices, and diagnostics domains.
As the country continues to emerge as a hub for pharmaceutical research and development, initiatives like these play a crucial role in translating scientific excellence into commercial success.
Join Us in Shaping Tomorrow
As these initiatives demonstrate, FABA continues to serve as a crucial bridge between pioneering research and practical implementation. Whether you're:
A researcher pushing scientific boundaries
An entrepreneur translating innovations into solutions
A student aspiring to shape tomorrow's breakthroughs
An industry professional seeking collaborative opportunities
Your journey in biotechnology finds its next chapter with us.
Join our growing community at www.biofaba.org.in/become-a-member.html
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