Lastman, Flaherty & Collenette To Kick-Off BIO 2002

On behalf of all three levels of government, Mayor Mel Lastman, Ontario Enterprise, Opportunity & Innovation Minister Jim Flaherty and Federal Transport Minister David Collenette (Minister responsible for the Greater Toronto Area) will officially welcome BIO 2002 to Toronto this Thursday, June 6.

BIO 2002 is the world's largest annual biotechnology conference, and will bring some 14,000 attendees from 50 different countries to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre June 9-12.

Details of the kick-off event are as follows:

DATE:	Thursday, June 6, 2002
TIME:	10:00 AM
LOCATION:	Hospital For Sick Children - Atrium Garden Terrace 555 University Avenue Enter via Elizabeth Street south of Gerrard
PARTICIPANTS:	Carl B. Feldbaum, President of BIO Mayor Mel Lastman Hon. Jim Flaherty Hon. David Collenette Alan Gayer, HSC President & CEO Dr. Manuel Buchwald, HSC Chief of Research

Also in attendance will be J. Mark Lievonen, President of Aventis Pasteur Ltd & BIO 2002 Steering Committee Chair, and Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research.

** PHOTO-OP: Following their remarks, Mr. Feldbaum, Minister Flaherty and Minister Collenette will be given a demonstration by Hospital for Sick Children scientists on genetics and proteomics research. Cameras will also be given access to one of the HSC labs to gather additional visuals.

MEDIA SHOULD BE PREPARED TO SHOW CREDENTIALS.