BIO International Convention to Highlight Biotechnology's Effort to Fuel the World

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
Biotechnology's contributions to a cleaner, more sustainable world
will be highlighted during the 2008 BIO International Convention.
Hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the global
event for biotechnology will take place June 17-20, 2008 at the San
Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif.

"The biotechnology industry strives to create new, cleaner, more
sustainable ways in which to fuel the world," said Brent Erickson,
BIO's executive vice president, Industrial and Environmental Section.
"The 2008 BIO International Convention will help put a spotlight on
the latest innovations in biofuels and other sustainable energy
sources."

The Leadership Summit on Biofuels and Cleantech will bring
together industry leaders to discuss how biofuels and cleantech
technology-related business models are offering returns for investors
and customers while addressing energy and environmental global
challenges.

Taking place Monday, June 16 from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., the half-day
summit will include two general sessions featuring key CEOs and global
thought leaders followed by roundtables titled "Sustainable Biofuels:
Where Do We Go From Here?" and "The Biotech Cleantech Nexxus." The
Summit will provide a valuable opportunity to walk away with insight,
business opportunities and relationships that catalyze the growth into
new biotechnology and cleantech markets.

The future of environmentally-friendly travel will be on display
on the BIO Exhibition floor. The North Carolina BIOFlight plane, which
uses a blend of car gas and biofuels, will make the trip from Kitty
Hawk to Lindbergh Field in San Diego courtesy of the Biofuels Center
of North Carolina. The aircraft is just one example of the
capabilities and potential that biotechnology and biofuels have to
offer.

Additionally, the Industrial and Environmental education track
will provide a number of sessions highlighting the multiple aspects of
biotechnology, energy and the environment. A few sessions include:

-- The Business of Climate Change -This session will focus on
legislation, and legal issues and incentives, to highlight for
the biotech industry how best to exploit opportunities and
avoid risks as the race to create technically and economically
viable alternative biofuels intensifies.

-- Realizing Lignocellulosic Biofuels--Socioeconomic,
Environmental and Policy Challenges - Learn about the
environmental benefits and costs of large-scale LC biofuel
production, particularly with respect to carbon neutrality,
nitrogen use, water requirements and the risks versus benefits
of introducing new technology.

-- It's Not Only Energy: The Chemical is a Key Driver in Building
Clean-tech Clusters - Discuss the driving forces toward
industrial biotechnology in the chemical industry. Is it
innovation and new materials or substitution of
petrochemistry?

-- The US Department of Energy Bioenergy Research Centers:
Transformational Science Fueling the Future - Learn about the
three proposed DOE centers, their research agendas and their
objectives.

The BIO International convention will highlight how biotechnology,
the life sciences, investments, policy, and the international
community work together to heal, fuel, and feed the world. This year,
the day pattern will change to Tuesday through Friday (previously, the
convention was held Sunday through Wednesday). The convention features
more than 200,000 square feet of exhibitions showcasing the latest
advancements in biotechnology alongside an array of potential
partners, service providers, and state and international delegations.
The 2008 convention also will include more than 175 breakout sessions,
keynotes from global leaders, business partnering meetings, and
several networking events.

BIO anticipates more than 20,000 industry leaders, government
officials, and others will attend the 2008 International Convention.
The convention was last held in San Diego in 2001 and attracted 14,731
professionals. In 2007, the convention attracted 22,366 attendees and
exhibitors with approximately one-third from countries outside the
U.S. The 2007 event also hosted more than 300 domestic and
international public officials including seven U.S. governors.

Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the news
media. To register, please visit www.bio2008.org/mediaregistration.
Reporters and editors working full-time for print, broadcast, and
online news organizations may register onsite with valid media
credentials. All freelancers, college and online publications are
strongly encouraged to register in advance by Wednesday, June 4, 2008.

Registration for attendees is offered at an early-bird discounted
rate until May 8, 2008. Online registration is available at
www.bio2008.org/registration.

The BIO International Convention helps to support the
association's 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, registration, and housing
information, please visit www.bio2008.org.

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.

Upcoming BIO Events

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-- 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.

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Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
Tracy Krughoff, 202-312-9274
www.bio2008.org

Copyright Business Wire 2008