HHS Secretary Thompson Scheduled to Speak at BIO 2002
Department of Health and Human Services, is scheduled to speak at the Biotechnology Industry Organization's 2002 International Convention and Exhibition, June 9-12, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Canada. Thompson will be a keynote speaker at the opening breakfast plenary, Monday, June 10 at 7:15 a.m.
Secretary Thompson is responsible for more than 60,000 employees, a 2001 budget of
$429 billion, and more than 300 research, health and social programs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are also part of HHS. Before his appointment, Secretary Thompson served 14 years as the governor of Wisconsin, where he gained national attention for his leadership on welfare reform and expanded health-care access.
Secretary Thompson will be available for media questions in the North Building
of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, press conference room 203C, immediately following the morning plenary session at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 10.
BIO 2002 is the world's largest biotechnology gathering with more than 12,000
industry leaders expected to attend. The conference will feature six plenary events, and more than 150 sessions and symposiums, with 800 speakers covering 18 program tracks. The convention will also include a business forum featuring partnering meetings, tech transfer and investor presentations.
BIO 2002 registration for approved, credentialed media is complimentary and
available onsite. For more information, please visit www.bio.org.
BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state
biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. Canada is second only to the U.S. in terms of BIO membership. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.