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Governor Quinn, Mayor Daley Welcome 2010 BIO International Convention To Chicago; Recognize Biotechnology’s Importance to Illinois’ Economy and Leadership in Innovation

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Friday, April 23, 2010) - Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley joined Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood, Baxter International Inc. Chairman and CEO Robert Parkinson, Jr. and Dave Miller, president and CEO of the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO) to preview the 2010 BIO International Convention, the global event for biotechnology, and to comment on Illinois’ biotechnology community.  The BIO International Convention runs May 3 to 6 at McCormick Place in Chicago and is expected to contribute more than $25 million to the local economy, according to estimates from the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, and draw industry leaders from 48 states and 60 countries.

 

"Illinois is a leader in biotech and other emerging fields due in large part to our ability to support diverse industries," said Governor Quinn. "I am proud to welcome the global community to the 2010 BIO International Convention. Here in Illinois we provide bioscience entrepreneurs with the right balance of highly skilled workers and essential capital, community and international access. We know that entrepreneurs will come to Chicago and recognize that our city and state offer an environment where businesses thrive."

 

“Biotechnology is one of the major growth industries of the 21st century. Chicago and Illinois already are major players in this field – and we welcome the opportunity to showcase the depth and breadth of biotechnology in the Midwest to the international leaders of the industry,” said Mayor Daley. “Chicago is a city where everyone understands the value of conventions and trade shows to our city’s economy. We are thrilled to be hosting the 2010 BIO International Convention.”

 

The BIO International Convention returns to Chicago after an inaugural trip to the city in 2006.  Illinois is known for significant contributions across multiple biotechnology disciplines with more than 440 corporate R&D facilities and 200 academic, government and nonprofit research institutions.   Illinois delivers a broad range of products and services, including medicines, medical devices, nutritional products, food and agricultural applications, alternative fuels, industrials, and environmental solutions. The convention steering committee is co-chaired by Chicagoland-based companies Abbott and Baxter. Both are global, innovation-driven health care companies with leading biotech products. 

 

“Baxter is pleased to welcome BIO and its International Convention attendees to Chicago and to serve as a Convention sponsor,” said Parkinson.  “This convention is a great opportunity to showcase the considerable scientific and biotech expertise, leadership and innovation that Chicago, Illinois, and the Midwest have fostered over the years.  At the same time, such a gathering facilitates valuable sharing of information and insights across the many industries participating – including companies, researchers, investors and government officials.”

 

"We're excited to return to Chicago after an extraordinary 2006 convention," said BIO’s Greenwood.  "Chicago is an international city with a strong and vibrant biotech community including first-rate research institutions, top global companies and emerging enterprises. And the Midwest region as a whole hosts companies working across the full spectrum of our industry – health and medical, food and agriculture, and industrial and environmental.  We look forward to showcasing everything the region has to offer."  BIO is the host of the annual BIO International Convention.

 

"We're proud of the unparalleled diversity of our biotech products here in Illinois and the Midwest," said David Miller, CEO of iBIO. "The Convention is a wonderful opportunity for us to build partnerships so critical to success in today's global economy."

 

The theme of this year’s BIO International Convention is “Fulfilling the Promise: Heal, Fuel, Feed the World,” highlighting the diverse practical applications of biotechnology. The biosciences encompass a varied set of companies and individual industry sectors that span manufacturing, services, and research activities.

 

This year's BIO Exhibition will cover an estimated 180,000 net sq. ft. and host more than 1,700 exhibitors with approximately one-third expected to come from countries outside the U.S. The 2010 Convention also will host numerous domestic and international public officials including nine U.S. governors.

 

This year’s convention will host more than 125 breakout sessions in 17 tracks focusing on top industry issues and trends, research and development, partnership opportunities, and new business models required to meet global health challenges.  New tracks for 2010 include Delivery and Manufacturing of Biologics, Global Drug Development and Marketing, Innovations in Vaccines, and MarketPlace Watch. 

 

A highlight of the convention for exhibitors and attendees will be the BIO Business Forum, which offers a unique platform for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic research institutions, and investors from around the world to gather and discuss strategic opportunities. An estimated 14,000 face-to-face business development meetings are expected to take place at the convention. The ability to schedule up to 80 one-on-one meetings within just a few short days with biotech leaders from around the world presents a wonderful opportunity for companies to maximize their return on investment for the registration and travel investment for this event.

 

The BIO International Convention helps to 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 http://convention.bio.org.  

Upcoming BIO Events


Partnering for Global Health
May 3, 2010
Chicago, IL
McCormick Place Convention Center

BIO International Convention
May 3-6, 2010
Chicago, IL
McCormick Place Convention Center

2010 BIO Human Resources Conference
May 4-7, 2010
Chicago, IL 

World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
June 27-30, 2010
Washington, DC

BIO India
September 21 - 22, 2010
Hyderabad, India

 

 

BIO’s Livestock Biotechnology Summit
September 28-30, 2010,
Sioux Falls, SD

 About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,200 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 products. BIO also produces the 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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