Dr M Vidyasagar elected new ABLE president

Dr  M Vidyasagar has been elected the new president of the Association for Biotechnology led enterprises (ABLE) –the umbrella body representing Indian biotech sector.

Dr Vidyasagar has been elected for a period of three years from 2009 to12, said ABLE, announcing  offices bearers  for the next three years during the executive council meeting held on the 2nd of April 2009.

“The Indian biotechnology industry will play an increasingly major role on the global stage in years to come.  Even in the current economic situation, the India cost advantage remains as compelling as ever.  Going forward, India will be attractive not just for its low cost but also for its intellectual contributions,” said Dr Vidyasagar.

Dr M Vidyasagar is, currently, Executive Vice President,Tata Consultancy Services. 

This is the third executive council of ABLE  since inception in 2003.

Mani Iyer,  executive director, Intas Biopharmaceuticals Ltd has been elected as the new vice president.        

Anuradha Acharya,  managing director, Ocimum  Biosolutions Ltd and  Dr P M Murali, managing director, Evolva Biotech Pvt Ltd are the new treasurer and general secretary, respectively

The other members of the executive council are:  Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon Ltd;  Dr Rashmi H Barbhaiya , MD, Advinus Therapeutics Pvt Ltd; Dr Vijay Chandru , chairman & CEO, Strand Life Sciences Pvt Ltd; Nitin Deshmukh ,CEO, Private Equity, Kotak Mahindra Bank; Prof. Subba  Rao, president R & D, Bigtec Pvt Ltd; Dr K K Narayanan, managing director, Metahelix Life Sciences;  Pramod Chaudhari, chairman & managing director, Praj Industries;  Sarath Naru, managing director, Ventureast Fund Advisors India Pvt Ltd.   

ABLE (www.ableindia.org) was established in April 2003, is a national forum that represents the Indian Biotechnology Sector. The primary objective of ABLE is to accelerate the pace of growth of the biotechnology Industry in India, through encouraging entrepreneurship and greater investment in the sector, providing a platform for domestic and overseas companies to explore collaborations and ventures, partnering with the Government of India in their Biotechnology endeavours and forging stronger links between academia and industry.