New Delhi, Sep 21 (KNN) BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council), which has the mandate is to serve as a single window interface to promote affordable innovation in key social sectors with higher focus on start-ups & small and medium enterprises (SMEs), is organizing the 5th Innovators Meet on September 22-23 in the national capital.

BIRAC is a non-profit Public Sector Enterprise under the aegis of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.

The theme of the meet would be ‘Biotech Innovation Ecosystem - Strategizing the Next Leap’.

The Innovators Meet aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in all places of research.

It is a confluence of around 300 Scientists, Entrepreneurs & Industry Experts, and Policy Makers, who come together to discuss the contemporary issues in the biotech innovation ecosystem and to leverage the networking opportunities offered by the platform.

In the past 5 years, BIRAC has forged partnerships with reputed organizations such as Tekes, Finland; Hort Innovation Australia; and Nesta, UK. These partnerships and BIRAC's initiatives have made it possible to supported more than 300 Biotech Companies, mainly Start-ups and SMEs and over 100 young Entrepreneurs.

Today, over 35 Products/technologies mainly Healthcare Devices and Industrial products have been delivered through BIRAC support. 31 early stage technologies have been developed and 105 New Intellectual Property (IP) generated.

Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan will be the Chief Guest and Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Y.S. Chowdary will be the Guest of Honour.

The discussions will aim at chalking the action plans required to scale up the innovations pertaining to the biosciences sector that affect the lives of a 1.3 billion in India and has potential to make positive impact on the masses across the globe. 5 BIRAC Innovators would also be awarded for their outstanding contributions and Innovative products / technologies.