2009 Mid-Atlantic Bio ConferenceAttracts Record Number of Bioscience Companies

Howard Dean, RJ Kirk, Tom Watkins, Representatives Charles Boustany (R-La.) and
Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Among Others, Reveal Industry Insights

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
The 2009 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference drew more than 750 participants-including a
record number of more than 300 bioscience companies in attendance-for its annual
bioscience and investor conference. For its fifth year, the conference brought
together industry luminaries, innovators, capital sources, academic and research
organizations, and government agencies representing 30 states and the
international community.

During today`s Closing Plenary Luncheon, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean
projected the affects of healthcare reform policy and regulatory changes on the
bioscience and investment communities. Dean covered a number of topics,
including the need for protections of intellectual property that serves to
inspire innovation.

Billionaire investor RJ Kirk, who provided insights at a plenary session, said,
"the next 20 years of bioscience is ten times more exciting than the last ten."
He added, "game changing science will draw investments." He also provided
bioscience companies with tips to better appeal to capital sources, which has
been increasingly challenging as capital markets are becoming tighter.

Other plenary session speakers included Thomas Morrison, Co-Founder and Chief
Strategy Officer of NaviNet, and Tom Watkins, CEO of Human Genome Sciences.

Yesterday, at the "Healthcare Policy Panel," Representative Charles Boustany
(R-La) and Thomas Morrison discussed how healthcare and healthcare IT policy and
regulatory changes will impact the future of the bioscience industry, while
Steve Usdin, Senior Editor, BioCentury Publications, Inc. provided an update to
the progress of the healthcare debate. Additionally, Representative Bob
Goodlatte (R-Va.) made remarks at the "CEO & Investor Reception."

The 2009 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, November 4 through 6, is held in
Washington, D.C., at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center. Mid-Atlantic Bio is
co-hosted by the region`s most influential life science and investor
associations, MdBio Division of the Tech Council of Maryland (TCM/MdBio), the
Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), and the Virginia Biotechnology
Association (VaBIO).

"Considering the challenging economy and current national trends, we are
gratified to have drawn such an exceptionally high level of industry
participation," said Host Committee member Mark A. Herzog, executive director of
Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO). "This conference continues to
provide a forum for companies to collaborate and advance their business
interests."

A key aspect of the conference program included twenty-four life science
companies, who were competitively selected to present to an audience of venture
capitalists, industry professionals, and potential strategic partners. This
year`s conference featured two distinct tracks: the "Showcase" track with nine
later stage companies and the "Growth Watch" track with fifteen emerging
companies. The companies, at various stages of development, range from seed and
early stages to later stage growth, and represented a cross-section of industry
sectors.

Innovation Corridor Science posters unveiled the latest research findings from
the region's top academic and corporate entrepreneurs, researchers, faculty
members, and students. A variety of scientific, business and investor workshops
and panels rounded out a full programming agenda.

Diamond sponsors for the 2009 conference included BioMaryland, Virginia Economic
Development Partnership, and Human Genome Sciences. For a complete list of
sponsors, visit www.midatlanticbio.org.

The Mid-Atlantic Bio Host Committee announced plans for the 2010 conference,
which will be held at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center,
October 25-27, 2010, in Bethesda, Md.

ABOUT MID-ATLANTIC BIO

Mid-Atlantic Bio is co-hosted by the region`s most influential life science and
investor associations, MdBio Division of the Tech Council of Maryland
(TCM/MdBio), the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), and the Virginia
Biotechnology Association (VaBIO). Mid-Atlantic Bio benefits from broad regional
support from the investor and greater business communities, academic
institutions, government agencies, and partnering regional associations. For
more information, or to register or sponsor, please visit
www.midatlanticbio.org.

Mid-Atlantic Bio
Kelly Dieter, 703-288-8684
Cell: 704-619-5508
kdieter@hayespr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009