BIO-Europe Spring(R) 2008 Program Shines a Light on Biotech Industry Developments in Spain

As an addition to the varied and in-depth workshops and panels
where luminaries cover the business of biotechnology, EBD Group today
announced that it will feature a special emphasis on biotech
developments in Spain during the BIO-Europe Spring(R) 2008 conference,
held April 7-9, 2008 at the Palacio Municipal de Congresos, Madrid.

On Monday, April 7, BIO-Europe Spring will feature a workshop
entitled "Focus on Spain", moderated by Mr. Federico Manrique Ruiz,
General Director, General Directorate of Technological Innovation,
Madrid Regional Ministry of Economy and Consumer Affairs. Panelists
will feature Luis Ruiz Avila, CEO, Advancell; Ignacio Gonzalez Ochoa,
General Director, Biopolis; Pedro M. Franco de Sarabia, President,
Biotools B&M Labs.; and Alfonso Casal, Marketing and Sales Director,
PharmaMar.

The workshop will showcase four examples of pioneering and
established Spanish companies and explain their keys to success:

-- Advancell, a world leader in nanomedicine, which is developing
a product for the topical treatment of psoriasis and other
skin diseases.

-- Biopolis, a producer of high value products by fermentation of
microorganisms with industrial applications in the agri-food
and pharma-chemical fields.

-- Biotools B&M Labs, a leader in real-time kits based on its
patented Lionprobes technology.

-- PharmaMar, a leading biopharmaceutical company, with five
novel compounds committed to advancing the treatment of cancer
through the discovery and development of new marine-derived
medicines.

Commenting on the fast-evolving Spanish biotechnology industry,
Rogelio Pardo, Manager of Madrid Biocluster, stated, "Biotechnology
offers interesting business opportunities and is one of the best
performing high technology sectors in Spain. The number of companies
in Spain with biotechnology related activities is 581, most of which
are located in bioregions and bioclusters that foster synergies
between these various bio-industry players. Madrid Biocluster, the
heart of the Spain´s Biotechnology industry, is pleased to welcome
BIO-Europe Spring."

According to Jose Luis Jorcano, President of Genoma Espana, "The
business relevance of the Spanish biotechnology industry is growing
very positively. From 2000-2006 the number of biotechnology companies
has grown 166%, turnover has increased 200%, and sector employment has
grown 750%. Additionally, according to the Spanish Bio-industry
association Asebio, the number of Spanish biotechnology alliances has
increased in the last two years, and 37% of these alliances have an
international partner. The BIO-Europe Spring conference provides a
highly visible and unique opportunity for the global biotech community
to experience the potential that is the Spanish biotech industry."

With an anticipated 1,400 participants, BIO-Europe Spring 2008 is
expected to be one of the most productive and content-rich partnering
conferences of 2008.

Notes to Editors:

Entry to BIO-Europe Spring(R) 2008 is free to the media, including
full access to the partnering system, sessions, press conferences,
workshops, and pre-arranged partnering meetings. Visit the BIO-Europe
Spring conference website at http://www.ebdgroup.com/bes/press_reg.htm
for detailed information on this year´s conference and online
registration. When you register online, please indicate in the comment
field that you are requesting a complimentary press registration.
Please fax a copy of your press pass to complete your complimentary
media registration to fax number +49 (89) 23 88 756 55.

About BIO-Europe Spring 2008:

The BIO-Europe Spring(R) event brings together international
decision-makers from all sectors of the biotechnology industry, and
features the successful combination of one-to-one meetings, company
presentations, panel discussions and a lively exhibition.

Positioned as the springtime counterpart to EBD Group´s flagship
conference, BIO-Europe, the BIO-Europe Spring event continues the
tradition of providing life science companies with high caliber
partnering opportunities. The event enables biotechnology companies to
identify, meet and network with companies across the life sciences
value-chain from large biotech and pharma companies to financiers and
innovative start-ups.

The local hosts of BIO-Europe Spring 2008 are Madrid Biocluster,
PromoMadrid, Red de Parques y Clusters de la Comunidad de Madrid,
Camara de Madrid, Genoma Espana, INTERES Invest in Spain, Sistema
madri+d and CEIM.

About Biotech in Spain and Madrid:

The number of biotech firms in Spain has doubled in the last six
years to 150. There are almost 600 enterprises in Spain that are
engaged in the biotech arena, producing a turnover in excess of EUR
20,000 Million. Today, Madrid leads Spain with 27 % of total biotech
companies and, significantly, accounts for 45.2 % of sales and 45.5 %
of employment by biotech companies. Madrid is characterized by its
potential as an innovative area specialized in biotechnology, due to
its good scientific-technological base, dynamic entrepreneurial
sector, infrastructures and advanced services and its prestigious
hospital network. With a highly skilled workforce of 5,000 researchers
and 600 new PhDs each year in Life Sciences, Madrid Region has become
one of the most important research clusters in Europe, attracting
international key players.

Biotechnological companies, public and private research centers,
universities, hospitals and the Regional Government of Madrid are
involved in the Madrid Biocluster. The biotechnology cluster
coordinates biotechnological development in the Region of Madrid and
specially stimulates research, transfer of knowledge and the growth of
its entrepreneurial sector.

About EBD Group:

EBD Group is the leading partnering firm for the global
biotechnology industry. Since 1993, firms in the life sciences have
leveraged EBD Group´s partnering conferences, technology and services
to identify opportunities and to develop strategic relationships that
drive their business.

EBD Group´s conferences (run in collaboration with leading
industry partners and international trade associations) include
BIO-Europe, the world´s largest stand-alone life science partnering
conference (organized with the support of the Biotechnology Industry
Organization, BIO); BIO-Europe Spring(R); BioPharm America(TM) (EBD´s
new North American partnering event); and BioEquity Europe
(co-organized with BioCentury Publications and BIO).

EBD´s sophisticated web-based partnering service,
partneringONE(TM), is also used at numerous third-party events around
the world. Outside of the conference format, EBD´s consultants can
provide hands-on assistance for firms seeking to in- or out-license
products and technologies. EBD Group has offices in the USA and
Europe.

For more information visit www.ebdgroup.com