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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