Singapore, Jan 13, 2012: The BIO Asia International Conference will feature industry leaders discussing the future of the Asian biotechnology industry and new deal models between Western and Asian companies. BIO Asia is the longest running biotechnology partnering conference in Asia. The conference, produced by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), will be held January 31 – February 1, 2012 in Osaka, Japan for the first time.

“BIO Asia provides a unique forum for leaders of Western and Japanese biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to engage in high level discussions about several new deal models, as well as exchange their vision of how innovation will evolve in Asia. This conference will explore what the future holds for investors and executives alike," said Mr Alan Eisenberg, executive vice president, Emerging Companies and Business Development.

The biotechnology market in Japan was estimated at approximately $22.6 billion (1.76 trillion yen) in 2005, second only to that of the United States. The market has grown considerably since then and could represent a significant opportunity for Western companies looking to do business in Asia.

Based on this growth and a potentially promising outlook, BIO Asia’s Opening Plenary session will feature an in-depth look at the Takeda/Nycomed deal, which was the largest cross-border transaction by a Japanese company in 2011.