Decision to move to an annual timeslot was reached after extensive market analysis, and with the full backing of the Biotechnica exhibitors' committee, which had unanimously voted for the new rhythm
Europe's biggest biotechnology trade fair, Biotechnica, will now be taking place every year at its home base in Hannover, Germany.
So following Biotechnica 2007 (9-11 October), Hannover will be playing host to the international biotech industry again in 2008 and every year thereafter.
"The industry's key players want to have a major European trade fair every year, rather than a succession of smaller events.
"And with Biotechnica we can give the industry the flagship European event it is looking for", says Deutsche Messe board member Stephan Kuhne.
"At the same time we are expanding the conference programme, which will make the show even more appealing than ever.
"Having a regular annual platform will also make networking easier and provide the continuity that high-powered conferences need".
Biotechnica is regarded as the leading event of the year for the European biotech industry, covering all sectors of biotechnology in depth - from basic biotechnology research, equipment, bioinformatics and services to the five principal areas of application - pharmaceuticals and medicine, industry, nutrition, agriculture and the environment.
But Biotechnica is far more than just a trade show and exhibition.
With its many conventions and specialised events it offers exhibitors and visitors a central platform for knowledge transfer.
About 900 companies from more than 30 countries are expected to take part in the exhibition.
One of the highlights of Biotechnica is the much expanded conference programme.
Distinguished speakers from industry, the scientific community and government will be reporting on the latest developments in the biotech industry.
In addition, the show is hosting some 20 high-level international conferences and seminars, including the German Biotechnology Days (formerly the BMBF Biotechnology Days), the Conference for Regenerative Medicine and the Vaccine Development Days.
Biotechnica Partnering: the purpose of this new matchmaking event is to bring together companies that would not normally have contact with each other in their day-to-day business dealings - a global pharmaceutical giant and a young biotech start-up, for instance.
The main focus of the Biotechnica partnering event is the emerging field of medicine known as 'drug-device combination therapy'.
Among the innovative products on display are tiny devices implanted in blood vessels.
Here they secrete the drug directly where the disease is active.
European Biotechnica Award: this is regarded as the world's most exciting competition aimed at encouraging and motivating young biotech companies.
The prize money has been increased by 60,000euros this year to a princely 100,000euros.
The finalists will be chosen by an international jury of experts.
The switch to a regular annual schedule will significantly enhance the appeal of Biotechnica.
The majority of exhibitors voted in favour of making the show the foremost industry gathering in Europe - on the basis of a broader concept that includes more international conferences and seminars as well as the new partnering event.
The effect of this will be to significantly increase the appeal of the show to potential exhibitor and visitor target groups, particularly in the market populated by core biotechnology companies.
At the same time the leading trade fair for the biotech industry is also repositioning itself on the global stage.
This summer Biotechnica is celebrating its debut in China with a new overseas trade show: the first Biotech China opens its doors to the public in Shanghai from 4-6 July 2007.
The new show gives exhibiting companies an ideal platform for establishing new business contacts in Asia.
It enables Western firms to secure a foothold in a market with vast growth potential.
In the USA plans are being finalised for a joint venture involving Biotechnica and the US trade fair Interphex.
So from 26-28 March 2008 Biotechnica America and Interphex will take place in parallel at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, effectively pooling their combined expertise.
This will create a new international meeting place for pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
The proposed themes of the joint trade show and congress event are biotech engineering, pharma manufacturing and processing, and equipment and services.
"This means that Biotechnica is the only industry platform to have a presence in the world's three most important biotech regions: Europe, North America and the booming growth market of Asia", explains Deutsche Messe board member Kuhne.
"Biotechnica is busily building bridges for international business."
