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Leadership Summit to Highlight the Commercial Potential of Emerging Agricultural and Industrial Biotechnologies at the 2012 BIO International Convention

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The 2012 BIO International Convention looks to give a global perspective on regulatory and acceptance issues within the food and agriculture and industrial and environmental sectors of the industry through the Leadership Summit.&nbsp;</p>

USDA Under Secretary Woteki to Keynote Summit Held June 18-21, 2012 in Boston

WASHINGTON, DC – (June 11, 2012) – The 2012 BIO International Conventionlooks to give a global perspective on regulatory and acceptance issues within the food and agriculture and industrial and environmental sectors of the industry through the Leadership Summit. Hosted by theBiotechnology Industry Organization(BIO), this year’s global event for biotechnology will take place June 18-21, 2012 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, MA.

Dr. Catherine Woteki, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, will keynote the Leadership Summit’s opening panel addressing an array of agriculture, energy, and sustainability issues that are important to our nation. It will also highlight federal opportunities, including USDA funded research programs.

“President Obama has directed the federal government to take decisive steps to support the development of a biobased economy, which will create jobs and drive innovation where biobased products are grown and manufactured,” said Woteki. “Numerous applications exist for biofuels and bioproducts to make the bioeconomy a reality, creating jobs and innovation while lessening our dependence on foreign oil.”

Thomas W. Hicks, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy of the United States Navy, will moderate the panel focused on government investment in a biobased economy, and will discuss how public and private efforts combined can increase use of American biofuels leading the nation’s effort to achieve energy security.

The Leadership Summit: Harvesting the Commercial Potential of Emerging Agricultural and Industrial Biotechnologies is a special event, Monday, June 18, 1:00 – 4:45 p.m., which will engage high-level leaders from government, the finance industry, public institutions and private companies to examine the needs, risks, and strategies for financing development and commercialization of innovative agricultural and industrial biotechnology products.

Leadership Agenda includes:

1:00 – 1:10 p.m.: Welcome Remarks

Naomi Stevens, Head of Market Acceptance for BioScience, Bayer CropScience,

1:10 – 2:30 p.m.: Government Investment in the Biobased Economy

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Catherin Woteki, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Reasearch, Education and Economics

Speakers: Dr. Jonathan Burbaum, Program Director, U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) and Mel Ustad, Director of Commercialization, South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development

Moderator: Thomas W. Hicks, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy, United States Navy

2:20 – 3:15 p.m.: The Role of Public Institutions in Developing Emerging Technologies

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ray Goldberg, George M. Moffett, Professor of Agriculture and Business, Emeritus, Harvard Business School

Speakers: Dr. David Hobson, Manager, Technology Transfer, Catalyst Centre, University of Guelph and Dr. Chris Somerville, Director, Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California Berkeley

Moderator: Dr. Kelly Tiller, President & CEO, Genera Energy

3:25 – 4:20 p.m.: Investing in Private companies to Bring New Technologies to Market

Keynote Speaker: Douglas Sterkel, Managing Director, AgriCapital Corporation

Speakers: Mitchell Presser, Partner, Paine and Partners, LLC and Mark Riedy, Partner, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo

Moderator: Dr. Neal Gutterson, President & CEO, Mendel Biotechnologies Inc.

4:20 – 4:30 p.m.: Closing Remarks

Jim Greenwood, President & CEO, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)

The BIO International Convention will highlight the latest trends and the newest opportunities for executives, investors, scientists, policy leaders, and media from around the world. Speakers at the sessions will share breakthroughs in medicine, diagnostics, the environment, energy production, business operations, financing, partnerships, policy issues and food and agriculture. Visit http://convention.bio.org/program/ for the most up-to-date program and speaker information.

The Convention also features the BIO Business Forum, a unique platform for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic research institutions, and investors from around the world to gather and discuss strategic opportunities. For registration, conference agenda and exhibitor information, visit2012 BIO International Convention.