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Michael J. Fox, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan and Senator Ted Kennedy Top List of 2007 BIO International Convention Keynote Speakers



    Biotechnology industry leaders from around the world will hear
    from an exciting selection of world renowned keynote speakers during
    the 2007 BIO International Convention being held at the Boston
    Convention & Exhibition Center from May 6-9.

    Keynote speakers include founder of the Michael J. Fox Foundation
    for Parkinson's Research, Michael J. Fox, Her Majesty Queen Noor of
    Jordan, and U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy. Each speaker will provide
    insights on key biotechnology-related topics with respective addresses
    focusing on translating research into therapies, global health, and
    pressing public policy issues.

    Rounding out the keynote sessions, on Wednesday, May 9, BIO
    President and CEO Jim Greenwood will moderate a luncheon panel titled
    "A Hopeful Future: Gaining the Edge with Biotechnology." Panelists
    Virginia Postrel, Author, The Substance of Style, Dr. Phillip A.
    Sharp, Institute Professor, MIT, Dr. Robert S. Langer, Institute
    Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT, and Craig C.
    Mello, Ph.D., Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, The Blais
    University Chair in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts
    Medical School, will discuss their vision for the future of
    biotechnology over the next 10 to 20 years.

    "We are extremely excited to welcome this year's slate of keynote
    speakers to our International Convention," said Jim Greenwood,
    president and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the
    producer of the International Convention. "Mr. Fox, Queen Noor,
    Senator Kennedy, and our Wednesday panelists bring a wide spectrum of
    knowledge and experience. Their comments will highlight the key focus
    areas of the convention, spotlighting the amazing progress occurring
    in the biotechnology industry as well as its endless future
    potential."

    Michael J. Fox, founder of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for
    Parkinson's Research, is slated to deliver the keynote address on May
    7, entitled "Driving the Development and Availability of Novel
    Therapies." His speech will address the need for creative approaches
    to speed translation of the significant investments in research and
    discovery into meaningful, patient-relevant advances in human health,
    and explore strategies and solutions to "de-risk" investment in novel
    therapeutics for the biotechnology industry and academia alike.

    Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan will deliver a keynote on
    Tuesday, May 8 titled "Biotechnology and Its Impact on Global Health."
    Queen Noor's speech will discuss her vision of the future for biotech,
    and highlight the role of biotechnology in alleviating hunger and
    providing healthcare to underserved populations. Please note, Her
    Majesty Queen Noor requests that her speech be closed to the media.
    BIO and Her Majesty Queen Noor appreciate your understanding.

    The Honorable Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman, will also speak on
    Monday, May 7. In his speech, the Senator is expected to address key
    policy issues facing the biotechnology industry including follow-on
    biologics, patient safety and the Prescription Drug User Fee Act which
    is up for reauthorization by Congress this year.

    These keynote sessions will be among the more than 200 educational
    sessions during this year's International Convention. The Convention
    is the world's largest gathering of constituents in the biotechnology
    industry. This year is expected to draw more than 20,000 leaders from
    across the industry, and more than 1,900 companies will be
    represented, reflecting every aspect of the biotechnology industry,
    including food and agriculture, industry and energy, drug development,
    and policy. The Convention will also house 200,000 square feet of
    exhibition space, featuring 60 pavilions from more than 70 different
    countries, states, companies and academic institutions.

    This year's BIO International Convention, themed "New Ideas. Bold
    Ventures. Global Benefits," will feature a program packed with more
    than 200 educational sessions and over 1000 speakers focusing on the
    global aspects of biotechnology, including business development,
    global health, clinical research/clinical trials, policy, bioethics,
    devices and diagnostics, biopreparedness, intellectual property/legal,
    food and agriculture, and industrial and environmental issues.
    International seminars will spotlight national-level developments from
    more than 30 countries and regions worldwide. To view the full
    conference program, please visit
    www.bio2007.org/attendees/educational_sessions/index.html.

    General registration for the BIO International Convention is now
    available at www.bio.org/registration/index.html. For more information
    about the global event for biotechnology, including housing and
    program updates, please visit the event homepage at 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
    www.bio.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 27, 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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