Scottish biologists head to South Korea

Scottish Development International, the economic development arm of the Scottish Executive, has organized a delegation of companies and universities from Scotland's life sciences sector to attend the Bio Korea 2008 conference and exhibition, the first event to be held at the Osong Bio-Health Science Technolpolis in the Chungbuk Province, South Korea.

Representatives from Scottish organizations, including Avanticell, Vitrology and the Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, will travel to South Korea for the event. They will attend targeted business partnering sessions with some of Asia's largest pharmaceutical companies and speak in pre-arranged forums on a wide variety of subjects, including regenerative medicine, investment attraction and technology commercialization. The bio sector is now seen as the key growth industry in South Korea and its government is aiming to be the world's seventh largest biological market by 2016.

Tony Baker, director life sciences and chemicals at Scottish Development International, said: "during the current economic slowdown it is more important than ever for companies to explore new markets that exploit their strengths, and we are delighted that so many companies are making the trip to Bio Korea 2008."