2007 BIO International Conference to Highlight Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology as the Wave of the Future

From May 6-9 in Boston, Massachusetts, the 2007 BIO International
Convention will showcase how industrial biotechnology, by introducing
environmentally positive manufacturing methods, is revolutionizing the
way we produce energy, chemicals and plastics, and is having a
significant impact on the global economy. More than 20,000 leaders
from across the industry, many of whom will be focusing on the
opportunities and benefits of biotechnology to industrial and
environmental applications, will be in attendance. Seen as the "Third
Wave of Biotechnology," the use of enzymes to replace chemicals and
microorganisms to manufacture polymers or transportation fuels from
renewable resources - including dedicated energy crops - are just a
few of the topics that will be in focus at this year's BIO
International Convention.

"Innovations in industrial biotechnology are now successfully
competing with traditional manufacturing processes, and the
possibilities are limitless," stated Jim Greenwood, president and CEO
of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the producer of the BIO
International Convention. "Biotechnology is helping us unlock the
benefits of crop feedstocks and previously unusable agricultural
residues by converting them into biofuels, alternative energy sources,
and biodegradable products. These advances can help reduce the
nation's dependence on foreign oil, clean the environment, increase
economic development in rural areas, and potentially save over $20
billion by 2050 if a successful conversion to biofuels occurs."

Each year, industrial and environmental issues have become a
larger component of the BIO International Convention. This year's
convention features ten panels focusing on topics such as energy crops
for biofuels, biodiesel, and industrial biotechnology investing. Some
of the key panels include:

-- "Energy Crops for Biofuels"

-- "Fuel for the Future: Biodiesel Facts and Fiction"

-- "Leading Pretreatment Technologies with Corn Stover and Poplar
Wood"

-- "From Fuel to Food: the Global Benefits of Biotechnology"

Seeing the economic potential of this "Third Wave of
Biotechnology," states such as Iowa, Wisconsin and Nebraska, all of
which are leading the charge for industrial biotechnology in the
United States, will have pavilions on the BIO International
Convention's the 200,000-square-foot trade show floor. Each pavilion
will feature exhibits from research organizations and companies who
are pursuing innovations to bolster this promising component of an
already successful industry. The pavilion will open on Monday, May 7
at 9:30 a.m. and will be open each day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.,
except for Wednesday, May 9 when it will close at 3:00 p.m.

This year's BIO International Convention, themed "New Ideas. Bold
Ventures. Global Benefits," will feature a program packed with more
than 200 sessions and speakers focusing on the global aspects of
biotechnology, including industrial and environmental issues, business
development, global health, clinical research/clinical trials, policy,
bioethics, devices and diagnostics, biopreparedness, intellectual
property/legal, food and agriculture. International seminars will
spotlight national-level developments from more than 30 countries and
regions worldwide. To view the full conference program, please visit
http://www.bio2007.org/Attendees/educational_sessions/index.html.

General registration for the BIO International Convention is now
available at http://www.bio2007.org/Registration/index.html. For more
information about the global event for biotechnology, including
housing and program updates, please visit the event homepage at
http://www.bio2007.org/.

Advance media registration for the BIO International Convention is
now available online. Registration is complimentary for credentialed
members of the news media. To register, please visit
http://bio2007.org/Media/index.html. Reporters and editors working
full-time for print or broadcast news organizations may register
onsite with valid media credentials. All freelancers, college and
online publications are strongly encouraged to register in advance by
Friday, April 20, 2007.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic
institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations
across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are
involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural,
industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

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Upcoming BIO Events

-- BIO International Convention
May 6-9, 2007
Boston, MA

-- BIO VentureForum-East 2007
June 18-20, 2007
Montreal, Canada

-- BIO Mid-America VentureForum 2007
Sep. 24-26, 2007
Milwaukee, WI
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