San Diego’s Flourishing Industrial Biotech Sector Provides the Backdrop for BIO’s 2014 Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotech & Bioenergy

Washington, D.C. (October 15, 2014) – With a growing industrial biotech sector that is home to more than 400 biotechnology companies, San Diego is set to host BIO’s 2014 Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotech & Bioenergy.  San Diego-based industrial biotechnology companies continue to deliver next generation products and innovative technology solutions, many of which will be highlighted during the programming at this year’s Summit.  The 2014 Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotech & Bioenergy will be held December 7-9, 2014 in San Diego, California at the Westin Gaslamp Quarter.  

“Within San Diego County, more than 50,000 people are employed in the life sciences sector. The region’s industrial biotech companies are creating new economic opportunities and high-paying jobs for Californians,” stated Brent Erickson, Executive Vice President, Industrial and Environmental at BIO.  “The 2014 Pacific Rim Summit will host many industrial biotechnology companies from the area and will showcase their milestones and achievements.”  

Breakout sessions at this year’s Summit that feature presentations from California companies include:

Track 2: Renewable Chemical Platforms

Sponsored by: Verdezyne

The Pathway to Commercialization – Lessons Learned

Session 1: Monday, Dec. 8, 8:30am-10:00am

·         Michael Krel, Sofinnova Partners

·         Mark Burk, Genomatica

·         Allen Barbieri, Biosynthetic Technologies

·         Michael Leavell, Amyris

Advancements in Renewable Chemical Manufacturing and Commercialization 

Session 2: Monday, Dec. 8, 10:30am-12:00pm

·         Cenan Ozmeral, Myriant Corporation

·         Olga Selifonova, Reluceo Holdings LLC

·         Jay Kouba, Glyce

·         Lisa Dyson, Kiverdi

Biobased Nylon in Asia

Session 3: Monday, Dec. 8, 2:30pm-4:00pm

·         Lisa Kennedy, Genomatica

Strategy for Building Differentiated Renewable Chemicals

Session 4: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2:00pm-3:30pm

·         Bill Baum, Genomatica

·         J.F. van der Pol, Corbion

·         David Gogerty, Global Bioenergies

·         Maureen Cannon, Anellotech Inc.

·         Jose Laplaza, Verdezyne 

Track 3: Advanced Biofuels and Biorefinery Platforms

Converting GHG's to Achieving a Fuel and Climate Solution

Session 2: Monday, Dec. 8, 10:30am-12:00pm

·         Richard Altman, Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative

·         Dan Robertson, Joule

·         Josh Silverman, Calysta Inc.

·         Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, South Dakota State University

Supporting organizations for the 2014 Pacific Rim Summit include BIO state affiliates BIOCOM and BayBio.  BIOCOM provides opportunities and resources to help life science companies in South California.  BayBio is Northern California’s Life Science Association and provides comprehensive support and solutions tailored to the unique needs of nearly 1000 Bay Area life science companies and institutions. 

For more information on the conference, please visit http://www.bio.org/pacrim. For assistance, please contact pacrim@bio.org or 202-962-9200.

All programs at the Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy are open to attendance by members of the media. Complimentary media registration is available to editors and reporters working full time for print, broadcast or web publications with valid press credentials.