Representative Altmire Honored as BIO Legislator of the Year

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its
selection of Congressman Jason Altmire (D-PA) as Legislator of the
Year for 2007-2008. Representative Altmire will receive the award
during the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In on April 16, 2008.

"BIO commends Representative Altmire for his leadership in the New
Democrat Health Care Task Force and his consistent support of our
industry," said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. "His influence
within the House Small Business Committee and championship of the
Small Business Investment Expansion Act will allow small biotechnology
and medical device companies to secure critical financial resources
for research and innovation."

"Congressman Altmire is a determined advocate for advancing
biotechnology innovation within the commonwealth," said Pennsylvania
Bio President Dennis M. "Mickey" Flynn. "He is committed to providing
the tools for our growing companies to succeed and compete and has
been a leader of economic development, job creation and continued
innovation."

During the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In, more than 200 biotechnology
industry representatives from 36 states, including Pennsylvania, will
participate in hundreds of meetings with key Members of the House and
Senate. Participants will discuss issues critical to the biotechnology
industry, including follow-on biologics, FDA appropriations, biofuels,
and patent reform.

The awards ceremony will take place at 12:15 p.m. during a
luncheon at the Reserve Officers Association in Washington, D.C.

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 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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The Biotechnology Industry Organization
George Goodno, 202-962-6660
www.bio.org

Copyright Business Wire 2008