Media Advisory: BIO to Preview 2008 BIO International Convention, Announce a Keynote Speaker

What:             Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood will join senior officials from San Diego-based biotech companies along with state and local biotech association leaders to provide a preview of the upcoming 2008 BIO International Convention and discuss the anticipated economic benefits for San Diego and California.  Southern California will serve as home to the global biotechnology community as more than 20,000 biotech leaders from around the world gather in San Diego to attend the 2008 BIO International Convention, running June 17-20, 2008 at the San Diego Convention Center.   

                        The media briefing will include the announcement of a major keynote speaker and an overview of the innovations, industry trends and the exciting array of speakers and educational sessions that make the International Convention the global event for biotechnology. 

Who:               Speakers include:

·         Jim Greenwood, president and CEO, BIO

·         Stephen Ferruolo, partner, Goodwin Procter LLP

·         Greg Lucier, chairman & CEO, Invitrogen

·         Joe Panetta, president & CEO, BIOCOM

·         Matt Gardner, president & CEO, BayBio

·         David Gollaher, Ph.D, president and CEO, California Healthcare Institute, Inc.

When:             Thursday, February 28, 2008
                        12:00 PM Pacific Time/ 3:00 PM EST
                        (Lunch will be provided.)

Where:           Sheraton La Jolla Hotel
                        Wind and Sea Room
                        3299 Holiday Ct.
                        La Jolla, Calif. 92037

                        The 2008 BIO International Convention is expected to attract more than 20,000 attendees from around the world.  The convention was last held in San Diego in 2001 and attracted 14,731 professionals.

                        The BIO International Convention helps support BIO programs and initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a policy environment that enables the industry to continue to fulfill its vision of bettering the world through biotechnology innovation.  For more information on the global event for biotechnology, including program and housing information, please visit www.bio2008.org. 

Upcoming BIO Events

 ·   Partnering for Global Health  
    March 10-12, 2008
    Washington, DC

 ·   BIO-Europe Spring 
    April 7-9, 2008
    Madrid, Spain

 ·   BIO National Venture Conference 
    April 22-23, 2008
    Boston, Mass.

 ·   World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing  
    April 27-30, 2008
    Chicago, Ill.

 ·   2008 BIO International Convention 
    June 17-20, 2008
    San Diego, Calif.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,150 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology technologies. BIO also produces the annual BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

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