Gen. Colin L. Powell, Gov. Sonny Perdue and James C. Greenwood Spoke about Leadership...

Gen. Colin L. Powell, Gov. Sonny Perdue and James C. Greenwood Spoke about Leadership and Innovation on Day 3 of the 2008 BIO International Convention

SAN DIEGO--(Business Wire)--
Leadership was certainly the theme today in San Diego at day three
of the 2008 BIO International Convention. Political, business and
science leaders shared their insights on the innovation that BIO has
demonstrated to its attendees over the past three days. The global
event for biotechnology runs through Friday, June 20.

Highlights from today include:

-- Keynote Speakers:

-- Gov. Sonny Perdue (Ga.) highlighted Georgia's biotech
initiatives and successes and he said he looked forward to
having everyone in Atlanta next year for the 2009 BIO
International Convention, May 18-21.

-- James C. Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO, discussed
BIO's vision for innovation: healing, fueling and feeding
the world. When speaking about what draws attendees from
around the world to the Convention, he noted, "We gather
here because we share a single vision - a single ennobling
purpose. We believe that biotechnology will transform the
world."

-- General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) discussed leadership
as a whole, highlighted his career in the U.S Army,
serving as U.S Secretary of State, his role as a husband
and father. Gen. Powell discussed how leadership is what
changes people - and how we can change the world.

-- Super Sessions:

-- The dynamics of a globalized world and the future of the
biotechnology industry presented by Jim Mullen, President
and CEO of Biogen Idec, Inc; Lino Baranao, Minister of
Science, Technology and Productive Innovation for the Gov.
of Argentina; and Suwit Khunkitti, Deputy Prime Minister,
Office of the Prime Minister of the Gov. of Thailand,
discussed the evolving global business landscape and how
their governments are responding to the new 21st Century
business market.

-- Accelerating the identification and development of
biomarkers for human health through public-private
partnerships presented by Thomas Insel, Director, National
Institute of Mental Health; Gary Neil, M.D., Corporate
Vice President of Johnson & Johnson; Irene Norstedt, PhD,
Head of Sector Innovative Medicines; and Shav'ree Buckman
Deputy Director, Office Translational Science, presented
information on public and private partnerships in
biomarkers underway in the U.S. and Europe.

-- The promise and progress of the biomarkers consortium
presented by Jeff Evelhoch, PhD, Executive Director of
Medical Sciences for Amgen; Jor Gray, PhD, Associate
Laboratory Director, Bioscience for Lawrence Berkeley
National Laboratory; and Gary Kelloff, M.D., Special
Advisor of Cancer Imaging Program for the National Cancer
Institute, presented information on the specific
strategies and progress of the Consortium in addressing
cancer biomarkers.

Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the news
media. For onsite registration times, please visit
http://www.bio2008.org/subpage.aspx?pagename=cv08_media_main.
Reporters and editors working full-time for print, broadcast, and
online news organizations may register onsite with valid media
credentials.

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.

Check out BIO's events blog at www.bioontheroad.org and listen to
podcasts on the convention at www.biotech-now.org.

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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-- 2008 BIO International Convention
June 17-20, 2008
San Diego, Calif.

-- Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy
Sept. 10-12, 2008
Vancouver, BC

-- BIO Investor Forum 2008
October 29-31, 2008
San Francisco, CA

-- BIO-Europe 2008
November 17-19, 2008
Mannheim/Heidelberg, Germany
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Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
Tracy Krughoff, 202-312-9274
tkrughoff@bio.org
www.bio.org

Copyright Business Wire 2008