From Editor's Desk

This issue highlights important presentations made at ‘The Indo-Australian Conference on Biomaterials, Implants, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (BITE&RM 2007)‘ organized jointly by the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum and Australian Education International (AEI) , a part of the Australian Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) and supported by Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi. It was held between January 10-12, 2007 at Trivandrum.

As per Mr John McCarthy, High Commissioner, Australian High Commission, New Delhi , “The theme of the Conference was particularly important as new concepts and frontiers in the area of biomaterials, medical devices and artificial organs are already being recognized as the core of the medical / healthcare. This calls for incorporation of biological knowledge with materials science and engineering principles and techniques.”

Mr. D.L. Pandya

Editor

An integrated Australian delegation of leading scientists participated in the conference to share new developments in the area with fellow Indian scientists. It was felt that the two countries offer great potential to collaborate in this area.

Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology is already well known to the Indian Medical Devices Industry. Australian Education International (AEI) is part of the Australian Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST).

In India, AEI was established in 1995 and is located at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi. It has taken a proactive role in developing collaborative linkages between Australian and Indian education institutions particularly in the area of science and technology. It has succeeded in bringing Indian and Australian academic community at a common platform to share their research to pave way for the long-term collaborative and mutually beneficial partnerships.

The “Global Trends” covers a very important survey of top executives at pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device firms conducted by Deloitte revealing that these companies will likely need to adopt dramatic changes in their business strategies between now and 2015 if they want to maintain their success. A number essential relevant issues are discussed.

This issue also covers an important article by Dr G L Jain on “Classification Of Medical Devices” alongwith other regular features including , Industry News , mediNET Forum as well as events.

D.L. Pandya