Hovione will be in at the 1st BioFine event in Berlin, so yes we did feel there was space for another show. In fact our thoughts are that some shows may have become too large and far too expensive, trying to be all things to all people, and with their gigantic size working against some of their users. Many of us, tired and with sore feet, wonder why we have to stand in queues waiting for expensive average food. We are looking at Bio-fine as a differentiated show - one that focuses away from commodities and is sensitive to pairing customers with suppliers eager to provide service and know-how.

In giving our best wishes to the managers of BioFine, we would remind them that this is a global industry where English is the lingua franca and the outlook is international. We all have full agendas and tight schedules so please do choose venues where foreigners are welcome, taxis cheap and plentiful, airports near-by and hotels at the convention centre and not a wet 5 (in fact 15) minute walk away! Please time your shows away from other well-established and popular industry events, do consider traditional holidays of the key nations involved, keep away from locations in seasons that are predictably wet and cold. A great show was CPhI 1997 in London in Earl´s Court - everyone spoke English, the walk to the tube was 2 minutes, it was sunny September, and close to all the hotels.

If Bio-fine wants to do really well look to how organisers of US shows do it. Food is free, no queues, no wet walks - and it is inexpensive. Charging attendees makes sure the quality stays high; keeping it small and with a smart market positioning makes sure the right people show up, business is done and time is not wasted. Going forward, security concerns are also a factor, keeping away from big crowds or major cities may be a plus.

At BioFine we will be offering our customers the latest technology we have added to our capabilities: particle size design, from lab to large-scale, with a focus on reproducibility of physical characteristics. Our customers tell us that the galenic interface is where most of our competitors fail. We are doing for particle size and crystal form what we did for injectable grade APIs in the 90´s, becoming a leader and defining bench-marks.

Guy Villax
CEO Hovione
Loures, 4th May 2004