5th Annual Scientific American Worldview Report and Bio-Innovation Scorecard released today at 2013 BIO International Convention
Washington, D.C. (April 22, 2013) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today issued the annual Scientific AmericanWorldview Report and Bio-Innovation Scorecard. On Wednesday, April 24, the Scientific American Worldview Super Session will take place during the 2013 BIO International Convention, the global biotechnology event, in Chicago, Ill. at McCormick Place.
Moderated by Fareed Zakaria, author, journalist and host of CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS, the Convention Super Session is the marquee discussion forum among industry leaders on the state of biotech hubs and innovation around the globe. Panelists include Trevor Mundel, President, Global Health Program for The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Robert Hariri, Chief Executive Officer, Celgene Cellular Therapeutics; Tomas Philipson, Daniel Levin Professor of Public Policy, The University of Chicago; and Sam Pitroda, Chairman, National Innovation Council, Government of India. The session will be held from 3:45pm to 5:15pm.
The fifth annual edition of Scientific American Worldview explores ongoing challenges and opportunities in the biopharmaceutical industry, including the looming potential of an “innovation cliff.”
“We are honored to once again partner with Scientific American on its report that aims to provide a framework to measure the progress and potential of countries—especially those that are not currently regarded as world leaders—as they develop and nurture biotech sectors,” said Jim Greenwood, BIO’s President and CEO.
This year’s issue boasts the longest list of countries in the Scientific American Worldview Scorecard. The first Scorecard, published in 2009, analyzed 36 countries, while this year’s version has expanded to include 54. That increase reflects the ongoing development of the industry itself.
The Worldview Scorecard’s growing history provides companies, countries and other biotechnology stakeholders with useful data to assess potential collaborations. The recent growth in collaborative activities parallels indications of potential industry recovery reported in the 2012 Scorecard.
Many experts believe that biotechnology remains in its infancy, leaving room for growth. The overall volatility makes it difficult to accurately assess trends within individual countries, but the mission of Worldview is to create an increasingly precise picture of the evolution of biotechnology innovation around the world. “As we gather more information over time, this tool proves increasingly valuable for companies assessing locations for expansion and countries evaluating their strengths and weaknesses in biotech innovation,” says Mike May, editorial director for Scientific American Worldview. “Moreover, Worldview stimulates discussions in the industry that go beyond each issue’s cover.”
The Worldview Bio-Innovation Scorecard illustrates various nations’ strengths in such categories as work force availability, education and intellectual property protection, and what countries still need to improve their capacity for creating biotech innovation locally.
In addition, this year’s report profiles three leaders in agricultural biotechnology and how they are working to address the issue of global hunger. Country Spotlights feature biotechnology stories from around the world, including a collaboration between Costa Rica and Spain, draught-resistant tea in Malawi, biotechnology meetings in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, among others.
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.
About Scientific American
Scientific Americanis at the heart of Nature Publishing Group's consumer media division, meeting the needs of the general public. Founded in 1845, Scientific American is the oldest continuously published magazine in the U.S. and the leading authoritative publication for science in the general media. Together with scientificamerican.com and 14 local language editions around the world it reaches more than 5 million consumers and scientists. Other titles include Scientific American Mind and Spektrum der Wissenschaft in Germany. Scientific American won a 2011 National Magazine Award for General Excellence. For more information, please visit www.scientificamerican.com.
Upcoming BIO Events
BIO International Convention
April 22 – 25, 2013
Chicago, IL
World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology
June 16-19, 2013
Montreal, Canada
BIO IPCC Conference
November 6-8, 2013
Washington, DC
Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioenergy
December 8-11, 2013
San Diego, CA