Clinical Experts to Discuss Biotechnology’s Impact on New Medicine at BIO CEO & Investor Conference

 WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 15, 2005) -- Leading clinical experts working in major disease areas will discuss the impact of biotechnology and its role in the future of medicine at the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s (BIO) seventh annual CEO & Investor Conference in New York on February 23 and 24, 2005.  The plenary session is scheduled for 7:45 am on Thursday, February 24, in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf=Astoria.

"We are only beginning to see the effect biotechnology will have on medicine," says Tracy T. Lefteroff, Global Managing Partner, Life Sciences Industry Services for PricewaterhouseCoopers.  "With more products coming on the market every year and the advent of personalized medicine, the impact of the industry in the next 25 years will be much more dramatic than it has been in the last 25 years."

Mr. Lefteroff and Michael King Jr., Managing Director & Senior Equity Research Analyst at Banc of America Securities LLP, will moderate the discussion. Panelists include:

·              Louis A. Cannon, MD, FACC, FACP: founding President of the Michigan Cardiovascular Institute, previous President of the Heart Group and the President of the Cannon Cardiac and Vascular Research Center;

·              Roger B. Cohen, MD: Director of Phase 1 Trials at Fox Chase Cancer Center;

·              Mary K. Crow, MD: Associate Chief for Rheumatology Research at Hospital for Special Surgery, Cornell University;

·              Roman Perez-Soler, MD: Chairman of the Department of Oncology at Montefiore Medical Center.

This year’s conference will include more than 200 presenting companies from the U.S., Europe and Canada.  The conference will also feature “focused” panel discussions with company executives along with clinical, financial and regulatory experts who will present their views on the most promising developments in medical biotechnology for diseases and medical conditions such as hepatitis, lupus, cancer, HIV, diabetes and eye disorders.  Industry experts will also host roundtable discussions on hot button business issues affecting the industry including commercialization strategies, value creation and emerging regulations from the Food and Drug Administration as well the Securities and Exchange Commission.  One-on-one meetings will be arranged between investors and corporate management.

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

MEDIA: For more information about BIO CEO & Investor Conference 2005 or to register on-line, please visit www.ceo.bio.org  Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the news media and qualified investors.  Advance registration is required for freelance journalists and web publications and is available online until February 16.  Reporters and editors working full-time for print or broadcast news organizations may register onsite with valid media credentials. 

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