BIO 2004 Plenary Sessions Celebrate Biotechnology's History, Benefits and Future
At least two luncheon plenary sessions at the June 6-9 convention will focus on patient benefits. Speakers include actress Brooke Shields and Grammy award-winner Patti LaBelle, and American Idol 2003 finalist Kimberley Locke will perform.
The BIO 2004 Annual International Convention, the world's largest biotechnology event, runs June 6 – 9 at San Francisco's Moscone Center. More than 18,000 biotech executives, investors, journalists, policymakers and scientists from at least 55 countries are expected to attend.
The convention will feature more than 150 panel sessions covering every dimension of biotech, 1,375 Exhibit Hall displays, a business forum with 240 company presentations, the industry's largest career fair, and nine plenary sessions. The full schedule is available on www.bio.org. Plenary highlights are listed below:
Sunday, June 6
12 – 1:30 p.m.: Ministerial Summit
San Francisco Marriott, Salon B
Learn about the latest international biotech policy developments firsthand from federal-level ministers of science and technology, trade, and economics. Discussion will focus on strengths, challenges, recent initiatives to grow R&D and manufacturing, and regulation and the climate for biotechnology product sales.
- Confirmed speakers:
- James Mullen, Chairman & CEO, Biogen Idec Inc
- Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Minister for Science and Innovation (U.K.)
- The Hon. Ian Macfarlane MP, Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources (Australia)
- The Hon. Georg Wilhelm Adamowitsch, State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour (Germany)
- His Excellency Suwit Khunkitti, Deputy Prime Minister (Thailand)
- The Hon. Pete Hodgson, Minister of Research, Science and Technology (New Zealand)
- Dr. Eli Opper, Chief Scientist (Israel)
Monday, June 7
7:30 – 9:15 a.m.: Industry Pioneers
At this session, biotech's most successful trailblazers will share their war stories and lessons learned during the 1970s and 1980s.
- Confirmed speakers:
- Dr. Leroy Hood, President, Institute for Systems Biology
- Thomas J. Perkins, Founding Chairman of Genentech
- William J. Rutter, Ph.D., Co-founder of Chiron
- Charlie Rose (moderator), broadcast journalist
4 – 5:30 p.m.: A Session with Scientific Visionaries
A panel of Nobel laureates whose discoveries revolutionized molecular biology will discuss the issues facing today's biological community. During this session, the Council for Biotechnology Information will present $5,000 grants to three outstanding young scientists.
- Confirmed speakers:
- Dr. David Baltimore, President, California Institute of Technology (awarded Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 1975)
- J. Michael Bishop, Ph.D., Chancellor, University of California School of Medicine (Awarded Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 1989)
- Dr. Paul Berg, Robert W. and Vivian K. Cahill Professor of Cancer Research, Emeritus, Director Emeritus, Beckman Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Stanford University (Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1980)
- Charlie Rose (moderator), broadcast journalist
Tuesday, June 8
7:30 – 9:15 a.m.: Industry Leaders
In the 1970s and 1980s, companies like Amgen, Biogen, Chiron and Genentech were small businesses with big visions. Today, they are the large-cap bellwether firms in a $40 billion industry. In this session, their top executives will describe the challenges facing a maturing industry.
- Confirmed speakers:
- Dennis M. Fenton, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Amgen
- Arthur D. Levinson, Ph.D., Chairman & CEO, Genentech, Inc.
- James C. Mullen, Chief Executive Officer, Biogen Idec
- Howard Pien, President and CEO, Chiron
- Charlie Rose (moderator), broadcast journalist
12:30 – 2 p.m.: Celebrating the Benefits of Biotechnology
BIO President Carl B. Feldbaum, who is retiring after 11 years of leading the organization, will lead off this session with a farewell address, followed by remarks from Richard Pops, chairman of BIO and CEO of Alkermes Inc. The heart of this program is a spectacular show featuring patient stories and a performance by American Idol 2003 finalist Kimberley Locke, whose debut album was released last week.
- Confirmed speakers:
- Carl B. Feldbaum, BIO President
- Richard F. Pops, BIO Chairman and CEO of Alkermes Inc.
- Kimberley Locke, professional singer (performing)
Wednesday, June 9
7:30 – 9:15 a.m.: Industry Visionaries
It seems only right that a convention celebrating biotech's history of innovation in the Bay Area begin its last day with a look toward the future. Rapid progress in biotechnology and computer and materials sciences could drive major changes in medicine, security and everyday life in the 21st century. This session brings together leaders of several companies that are making it all happen.
- Confirmed speakers:
- Dr. Susan Desmond-Hellmann, Executive Vice President, Development and Production Operations, Genentech
- Stephen P.A. Fodor, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman and CEO, Affymetrix, Inc.
- Carol Kovac, General Manger, Life Sciences Solutions, IBM
- Gregory T. Lucier, President and Chief Executive Officer, Invitrogen Corporation
- G. Steven Burrill (moderator), CEO, Burrill & Company
12:30 – 2 p.m.: Focus on Women's Health
Actress Janet Hubert, best known for her long-running role as Vivian Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, is the master of ceremonies for this session highlighting the impact of biotechnology on women's health. Actress and new mom Brooke Shields will describe how a biotechnology fertility drug helped make "a dream that was said to be impossible come true." Grammy award-winning R&B singer Patti LaBelle will also speak during the session. LaBelle is a spokesperson for the National Medical Association, the National Minority AIDS Council and the American Diabetes Association.
- Confirmed speakers:
- Brooke Shields, Actress
- Patti Labelle, R&B performer
- Janet Hubert (MC), Actress
BIO 2004 Media Registration Policy
For journalists who cover biotechnology, business or health, the BIO 2004 Annual International Convention is this year's best opportunity to learn about new trends and technologies, and to meet the leaders who will shape biotechnology for years to come. For broadcast media, the convention offers a fully equipped and staffed BIO TV studio, ample interview opportunities and colorful exhibit floor backdrops.
Registration is complimentary for credentialed news media. To register, visit www.bio.org. Freelancers and reporters for newsletters or Web-based publications must register in advance. Only reporters and editors working full-time for print or broadcast news organizations may register on site with valid media credentials (business cards are not acceptable). Reporters are urged to register as soon as possible.
About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.