San Diego To Host BIO 2001 International Convention
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 7, 2000) – San Diego will host the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s (BIO) annual convention next June. More than 12,000 biotech industry leaders and executives from around the world are expected to gather, showcasing the latest advances in health care, agriculture, industrial manufacturing and environmental management.
The BIO 2001 International Biotechnology Convention & Exhibition will be held June 24-27 at the San Diego Convention Center.
“San Diego is a virtual hot spot for biotechnology having thethird-largest concentration of biotech companies in the United States and numerous world-class research institutions, such as the University of California San Diego, the Salk Institute, the Burnham Institute and the Scripps Research Institute,” said BIO President Carl B. Feldbaum. “With more than 2,500 biomedical companies, California is a worldwide center for biotech developments. We look forward to capturing both the local spirit and the global pulse of our industry at BIO 2001 as we learn about the newest biotech innovations in health care, agriculture, manufacturing and environmental management.
“The theme of our meeting,” Feldbaum added, “is ‘PartneringFor Life,’ highlighting the dramatic advances being made in biotechnology, including the more than 100 biotech drugs and vaccines on the market today. These medicines have helped more than one-quarter billion people worldwide live longer, healthier and more productive lives.
“This year we are introducing HealthFest 2001, a new event to our convention, ” Feldbaum observed. “Featuring educational, interactive pavilions staffed by patient advocacy groups, research institutions and biomedical companies, HealthFest will give the public an opportunity to learn about local resources and biotech products in development and on the market.”
The HealthFest will be Sunday, June 24, at Embarcadaro Parkand is open to the public. Admission is free. For more information on BIO 2001 and program updates, visit BIO’s Web site, www.bio.org.
BIO 2001 is the largest biotechnology exhibition of its kind. The conference will feature more than 200 symposia and presentations on the latest scientific research and product developments; bioethics and other public policy issues; business, regulatory and financial strategies; and the growing number of partnerships between high-tech and biotech companies. In addition, more than 750 exhibitors will display their most advanced product innovations in an 80,000-square-foot exhibition hall.
William H. Rastetter, president and CEO of IDEC Pharmaceuticals, and Kevin W. Sharer, CEO of Amgen, are co-chairs for the BIO 2001 steering committee. Duane Roth, chairman and CEO of Alliance Pharmaceuticals, chairs the executive committee.
BIO represents more than 920 biotechnology companies, academic institutions and biotech centers in all 50 states and in 26 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the news media. Advance registration, which ends June 1, 2001, is recommended for all reporters and editors. It is required for freelance journalists.
To register, go to the BIO 2001 section in Events on BIO’s Website (www.bio.org). Enter “Registration” and click on “Press Registration.” Information about hotel room discounts is available in “Housing & Travel.”
Reporters and editors working full-time for print, broadcast orInternet news organizations must present picture identification from their employers when they check in at the conference. Onsite registration for these journalists will be available.
Freelance journalists must register in advance of the conference to receive free admission. In addition to filling out the registration form on BIO’s Web site, freelancers must mail in a letter from the editor of the news organization that assigned them to cover the conference. The letter should be on the news organization’s stationery. Please send the letter to: Carrie Housman, Biotechnology Industry Organization, 1625 K Street NW Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20006. Freelancers will have to present a copy of the letter with picture identification when checking in at the conference.
Without proper, approved credentials media registration will be denied.
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