4 Déc 2023 • Lifescience • Conference • Economic Development • Health Care

Healthcare and Biotech Conference Oct 2023

The Economic Development Board organised the Healthcare and Biotech Conference on 18th October 2023 at the Intercontinental Resort, Balaclava. The objective was to demonstrate the latest trends and developments in the healthcare sector and showcase the possibilities and opportunities in the clinical research, biopharmaceuticals and wellness segments. Around 325 delegates, comprised mainly of professionals from healthcare, biotech, academia, and industry attended the conference.

The main goals of this conference were to present recent advancements in the healthcare and biotech industries, highlight the opportunities and possibilities in these fields in Mauritius, give public and private stakeholders a global platform for networking and knowledge sharing, encourage industry-academia collaboration, and promote trade and business ties between domestic and foreign biotech and healthcare companies.

17 speakers renown experts in the biotech and healthcare sectors were invited by the EDB. Notable attendees were Dr. Timothy Rebbeck, Professor of Cancer Prevention at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health; Dr. Ram Sasisekharan, Professor of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Dr. Regis Pignol, Global Group Leader Clinical Pharmacology, Sanofi.

6 thematic were covered during the conference, namely,

The foundations and application of precision medicine,
Wellness concepts and their integration with global healthcare systems,
Emerging therapies in neurology & cardiac care and use of robots in surgery,
Biopharmaceutical research and manufacturing,
The future of clinical trials and
Adapting the health system to provide value-based care – focused on diabetes, cancer and fertility

These thematic were conceptualised based on the strategy document of the Ministry of Health and Wellness in terms of key diseases impacting the Mauritius population and Government’s overarching objective of developing biopharmaceutical research and manufacturing capabilities in the country.

The conference drew significant interests from international biotech, healthcare and wellness companies to set up projects in Mauritius. Discussions are underway to ensure these interests materialise into projects that will further shape up the healthcare and biotech landscape in Mauritius.