BIO 2002 Attracts Key Canadian and U.S. Government Officials
The Biotechnology Industry Organization’s (BIO) 16th Annual International
Biotechnology Convention & Exhibition, BIO 2002, will be held June 9-12 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. BIO 2002 features six plenary events and more than 150 sessions and symposiums, with 800 speakers covering 18 program tracks. More than 14,000 industry leaders are expected to attend.
Canadian officials participating in BIO 2002 will include Ernie Eves, Premier of Ontario; Allan Rock, Canada’s Minister of Industry; Art Eggleton, Minister of National Defense; Anne McLellan, Minister of Health; Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; Robert Carberry of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency; and Dr. Peter Hackett, Vice President of Research and Technology Development at the National Research Council.
“On behalf of all Ontarians, let me say how proud we are to host BIO 2002 this year. This conference showcases a growing industry in our province and demonstrates to the world Ontario’s commitment to innovation,” said Premier Ernie Eves.
"I am delighted to welcome the world to Toronto to participate in BIO 2002,"
said federal Industry Minister Allan Rock. "This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Canada's advantages, since we are home to the second-largest number of biotechnology companies in the world."
Government officials from the United States who will participate in BIO 2002 include Dr. Lester Crawford, Deputy Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Dylan Glenn, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy; James Rogan, Director of the Patent & Trademark Office and Undersecretary of Commerce; Dr. Richard F. Meyer, Director of the Bioterrorism Rapid Response and Advanced Technology Lab at the Centers for Disease Control; Dr. Gregory Milman, director of the Office for Innovation & Special Programs at the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases; Mark Paster of the Office of Industrial Technology at the Dept. of Energy; and Paul J. Luckern of the U.S. International Trade Commission.
At least five U.S. state governors are also expected to participate in BIO 2002:
Governor Bob Holden of Missouri, Gov. Scott McCallum of Wisconsin, Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa, Gov. Paul Patton of Kentucky, and Gov. Mark Schweiker of Pennsylvania. More than 20 other foreign dignitaries from the United Kingdom, the European Commission, Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland will also be involved with BIO 2002.
BIO 2002 registration for approved, credentialed media is complimentary, and
advance registration is encouraged. All freelancers must register in advance. To register please visit www.bio.org. In order to ensure housing, reporters are urged to register as soon as possible.
BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.
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