2008 BIO International Convention Kicks Off with Public Officials and Industry Leaders...

2008 BIO International Convention Kicks Off with Public Officials and Industry Leaders Discussing the Biggest Biotechnology Issues

-- Convention to draw estimated $83 million to San Diego area --
SAN DIEGO--(Business Wire)--
The 2008 Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Convention
officially kicked off here today at the San Diego Convention Center.
The global event for biotechnology runs through Friday, June 20 and is
expected to attract more than 20,000 attendees. This year's event sets
a new record, with more than 2,200 exhibitors spread over 220,000 sq.
ft. of exhibit space.

Highlights from today include:

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-- Keynote Speakers:
-- Governor Deval Patrick (Mass.) & Former Governor Jeb Bush (Fla.)
discussing, "Biotechnology: The Role of Government in Facilitating
Research and Discovery 2009 and Beyond." The chat was moderated by
Neil Cavuto, anchor of Fox Network's Your World with Neil Cavuto.
-- Governor Deval Patrick and Former Governor Jeb Bush discussed
various topics including, high cost of prescription drugs,
health care and biofuels.

-- Super Sessions:
-- Follow-On Biologics/Biosimilars: Protecting Patients, Enhancing
Access, and Promoting Innovation Globally
-- Speaker Stephen G. Juelsgaard, DVM, JD, Executive Vice
President, Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer,
Genentech, Inc stated, "It's not about limiting competition,
it's about preserving incentives for new innovations and
creating incentives for unmet medical needs."
-- Genomics Drives Disruptive Innovations in Biotechnology

-- Breakout Session Highlights:
-- International Networking of R&D for Neglected Diseases
-- Alternative Energy Resources in India Through Biotechnology
-- Commercializing Genetically Engineered Food Animals

-- Industry Leadership Awards:
-- BIO Governor of the Year
-- Mass. Governor Deval Patrick

-- Heritage Award
-- Henri A. Termeer, CEO of Genzyme
-- Presented by Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) and BIO
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The day concluded with a networking reception on the USS Midway.

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