Explore New Technologies, Approaches to Disease at the BIO 2005 Business Forum, June 19-22

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 2, 2005) -- The BIO 2005 Business Forum will provide a close-up look at the novel approaches biotech companies are taking to the world’s most challenging health problems, including cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, heart disease, infections and genetic disorders. More than 225 companies from around the world will give presentations at the Business Forum, and another 700+, including the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies, will also participate in partnering and other business development activities.

The BIO 2005 Business Forum runs June 19-22 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia in conjunction with the BIO 2005 Annual International Convention. At least 3,000 biotech, pharmaceutical and manufacturing executives are expected to participate.

In addition to healthcare applications, the Business Forum will explore the technologies and business plans of companies developing agricultural, industrial and environmental biotech products.

“The Business Forum is the largest, most comprehensive event of its kind in the world,” said BIO President Jim Greenwood. “It’s the best opportunity of the year to explore the biotech pipeline, from early-stage research to near-market and marketed products. Every established and emerging technology will be represented, including nanotechnology, RNA interference, stem cell therapy and systems biology.”

Greenwood added, “One of BIO’s central missions is to help biotech companies build their businesses by exposing them to potential partners, investors and the media, and BIO 2005—the world’s largest biotech gathering—is an ideal venue for the Business Forum.”

The BIO 2005 Business Forum is comprised of three components: one-on-one partnering meetings, company presentations and a one-day executive workshop on corporate positioning. The presentations kick off Monday, June 20, with speeches from representatives of several of the top 25 pharmaceutical companies.

For more information about the Business Forum visit http://business-forum.bio.org.

Advance media registration for BIO 2005 is available online. Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the news media. To register in advance, visit www.bio.org/events/2005/. On site, only reporters and editors working full-time for print or broadcast news organizations may register with valid media credentials. All freelancers and online publications must register in advance by June 10, 2005.

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.

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