CARLSBAD, Calif., ZURICH and VIENNA--(Business Wire)--
Biotech industry leaders will descend upon Vienna, Austria next week as
BIO-Europe 2009 assembles for the 15th consecutive year. The three-day event
will welcome more than 2,500 attendees representing about 1,350 companies and
will feature panels and workshops on effective partnering and development
strategies in an uncertain economic landscape.
According to Arlene Morris, President and CEO of Affymax, biopharmaceutical
companies face unique challenges in a protracted economic downturn. "If
companies have less than two years of cash to support operations, they would be
wise to take measures to conserve resources to support development of their
programs with the greatest potential," explains Morris, who will sit on
BIO-Europe`s opening plenary panel titled "Rethinking the Drug Development
Business Model."
Besides proposing strategies for weathering the current economic slowdown, the
panel will share its insights on the metamorphosis of the life science industry
and the impact recent developments will have on corporate business strategies.
"Flexible and creative partnering models will be a key success factor for pharma
and biotech companies," explains Hakan Bjorklund, CEO of Nycomed. "A balanced
risk approach combined with realistic valuations will be essential to continue
funding and fostering true scientific innovation."
Other BIO-Europe panels will focus on funding early stage programs in difficult
times, and changes in the industry that will affect the drug development
business model.
Yet other industry experts maintain that there is opportunity in times of
crisis: "In a changing market environment it is even more important to seek new
opportunities for growth, and to focus on innovation to address unmet medical
needs," says Michael Yeomans, Senior VP Global Business Development and
Licensing, Bayer Schering Pharma. "This goes hand in hand with continuously
improving R&D processes to create true value for patients." Yeomans will
participate in a panel called "Looking for a Silver Lining: 2009 and Prospects
for the Year Ahead," along with Barbara Yanni of Merck & Co., Shelagh Wilson of
GSK's European CEEDD and moderator Ben Bonifant of Campbell Alliance.
In addition, BIO-Europe will host its longest running panel "A Day in the Life
of Experienced Dealmakers." The session, which is in its 7th consecutive year,
will include topics such as strategic partnering and M&A, generating
non-traditional capital, the future of large company spin outs, project
financing, out-licensing and divestments. James Watson, of Burrill & Company
will moderate a panel that includes Doug Giordano, of Pfizer; Gino Santini, of
Eli Lilly & Company; Heather Preston, of TPG Biotech; and Shaun Grady, of
AstraZeneca.
About BIO-Europe
BIO-Europe is the preeminent stand-alone partnering event for the biotechnology
industry. Delegates from all parts of the biotechnology value chain come to
BIO-Europe to efficiently identify, engage and enter into the strategic
relationships that drive their business successfully forward. The annual
BIO-Europe partnering event draws over 2,500 industry attendees from almost 50
countries, representing more than 1,350 companies for three days of high level
networking. BIO-Europe is organized by EBD Group with the support of the
Biotechnology Industry Organization.
For more information please visit http://www.ebdgroup.com/bioeurope
Notes to Editors:
Entry to BIO-Europe 2009 is free to members of the press, including full access
to the partnering system, sessions, press conferences, workshops, and
pre-arranged partnering meetings. Visit the BIO-Europe conference website at
http://www.ebdgroup.com/bioeurope for detailed information on this year`s
conference and online registration. When you register online, please indicate in
the comment field that you are requesting a complimentary press registration:
http://ebdgroup.com/bioeurope/press_reg.htm.
About EBD Group
EBD Group is the leading partnering firm for the global life science industry.
Since 1993, biotech, pharma and medical device companies have leveraged EBD
Group`s partnering conferences, technology and services to identify business
opportunities and develop strategic relationships essential to their success.
EBD Group`s conferences are run with the support of leading corporations and
international trade associations, and include:
* BIO-Europe and BIO-Europe Spring®, Europe`s largest life science partnering
conferences, supported by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
* BioPharm America, the fastest growing partnering event in North America
* EuroMedtech, EBD Group`s partnering event for the innovative medical
technology industry
* BioEquity Europe, the investor conference co-organized with BioCentury
Publications and BIO
* ChinaBio® Partnering Forum, the first dedicated biotech/pharma partnering
conference in China, co-produced with ChinaBio® LLC
* Biotech Showcase, a unique forum in San Francisco for presenting to investors
and business development executives, co-produced with Demy-Colton Life Science
Advisors
EBD Group`s sophisticated web-based partnering service, partneringONE®, is used
as the partnering engine at numerous third-party events around the world.
Outside of the conference format, EBD Group`s consultants provide hands-on
assistance for firms seeking to in- or out-license products and technologies.
EBD Group has offices in the USA and Europe.
For more information visit www.ebdgroup.com
EBD Group
Constantine Theodoropulos, 617-292-7319
ctheodoropulos@ebdgroup.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009
