Schwarzenegger, Venter, Numerous Industry Leaders Headline Day Two of the 2008 BIO International Convention
SAN DIEGO--(Business Wire)--
Day two of the 2008 Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
Convention attracted the biggest names in biotech along with public
officials who highlighted the day's top issues. The global event for
biotechnology runs through Friday, June 20. More than one third of
this year's attendees are international, representing more than 70
different countries.
Highlights from today include:
-- Keynote Speakers:
-- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.) discussed California's
biotech revolution which, in 2008, will be donating $3
billion to stem cell research. Gov. Schwarzenegger also
discussed his father-in-law Sargent Shriver's battle with
Alzheimer's disease, stating "I've witnessed the disease
first hand, along with millions of others and know that
changes need to be made."
-- J. Craig Venter, PhD, Founder, Chairman and President of
the J. Craig Venter Institute discussed From Reading &
Writing the Genetic Code and noted there are not enough
scientists on the planet to study genes.
-- Super Sessions:
-- The Burrill State-of-the-Industry Report presented by
Steven G. Burrill, CEO of Burrill and Company, highlighted
where health care will be in the year 2020. Burrill's
prediction - more of an emphasis on the wellness of
society rather than sickness. This will be achieved by
implementing genetic screening to understand diseases on a
biochemistry level.
-- Building on Success: Ernst & Young's Global Biotechnology
Report 2008 presented by co-editors and leaders in the
biotechnology industry Glen Giovannetti and Gautam Jaggi
discussed three key drivers that will transform the drug
industry and compel it to fundamentally reinvent its
business models.
-- Press Conferences:
-- The Orphan Drug Act: 25 Years of Innovation highlighted
stories from multiple perspectives: patient, advocacy
community, corporate, policymaker and government agency.
-- Battelle's State-By-State Analysis of Bioscience Trends
highlighted national, state and metropolitan bioscience
employment growth trends during 2001 to 2006. The total
U.S. employment in the biosciences reached 1.3 million in
2006, up from 1.2 million in 2004.
-- The benefits of genetically engineered food animals were
shared by the authors of a paper release today on the
topic. Speakers emphasized the need for a regulatory
framework to support robust development of genetically
engineered food animals.
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.biotechnow-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
Tracy Krughoff, 202-312-9274
tkrughoff@bio.org
www.bio.org
Copyright Business Wire 2008
