Experts to Consider Drug Review Reforms at BIO CEO & Investor Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 10, 2006) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) CEO & Investor Conference Feb. 14-15, 2006, at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City will include a panel discussion on reforms proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to speed reviews of innovative drugs.

The panel, “FDA Reforms to Speed Innovative Drugs to Market,” will run from 8:30-9:55 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 in the Conrad Suite.

Panel members are:

·        Steve Usdin, Washington editor of BioCentury Publications Inc.

·        Amit Sachdev, BIO’s executive vice president, health

·        Scott Gottlieb, MD, FDA’s deputy commissioner for medical and scientific affairs

·        Robert Goldberg, senior fellow and the director of the Center for Medical Progress, Manhattan Institute for Policy Research

·        Paul De Stefano, principal, Fish & Richardson P.C., will serve as moderator.

More than 2,000 companies, institutional investors, money managers and analysts will attend the eighth annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference. The conference is designed to fuel continued industry growth and to educate new investors on the value, risks and rewards offered by the industry. 

Onsite registration for media will be available beginning Monday, Feb. 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Waldorf=Astoria’s Hilton Room.  Only reporters and editors working full-time for print or broadcast news organizations may register onsite with valid media credentials.

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.

###