BIO Announces First Annual Biotechnology Conference Showcasing Asia and the Pacific Rim

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 23, 2001) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today announced its first international conference focusing on the biotechnology industry in Asia and the Pacific Rim, April 18-19, 2001, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

More than 500 representatives of the international biotechnology community, including established and emerging companies, pharmaceutical companies, investors, academic and research institutions and delegations representing several Asian countries will launch this conference, which will highlight the growth of biotechnology in this region.

BIO AsiaPacific will feature plenary sessions and panel discussions on cutting-edge biotechnology topics including “Lessons from Asia’s Biotech Entrepreneurs,” also Trans-Pacific partnering, agricultural biotechnology in Asia, bioinformatics and genomics, and biotechnology investment opportunities in the Pacific Rim.

“Considering the dramatic growth and development of the life sciences and biotechnology industry in Asia, we fully expect BIO AsiaPacific to be the world’s premier conference bringing together the international science and investment communities to focus exclusively on this region,” said BIO President Carl B. Feldbaum. “BIO AsiaPacific attendees will benefit from access to new companies and technologies that are already shaping this region’s life sciences community,” Feldbaum added.

Scheduled speakers and panel participants include Dr. Randy Scott, chairman of Incyte Genomics and CEO of Genomic Health Inc.; Mr. John Wall, president, NASDAQ International; Dr. Tse-Sen Soong, first vice president, China Development Industrial Bank; Dr. Krishna Ella, president, Bharat International Ltd., India; Dr. Hong Gil Nam, vice chairman, Korea BioVenture Association; Dr. Goran Ando, executive vice president and president, research and development, Pharmacia Corporation; and The Honorable Benjamin J. Cayetano, Governor of Hawaii.

In addition, more than 90 international life science companies and delegations from Asian countries will present their technologies and partnering interests to conference attendees in what will be an unparalleled opportunity to meet and gain access to the emerging biotechnology industry in the Asian and Pacific Rim region.

The conference is open to representatives of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, scientific and research institutions, financial and investment organizations and the media. Organizing partners of the conference are BIO, Technology Vision Group LLC and BioCentury Publications, Inc. The High Tech Trade Association of Hawaii is hosting the conference. For more information, please contact Wesley Triplett at (212) 292-5500, wtriplett@bio.org, or visit the conference Web site at www.bioasiapacific.com for the preliminary program.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Registration for the news media is complimentary. Members of the media with proper news credentials may register on site. For more information, contact Carrie Housman at (202) 962-9200, chousman@bio.org.

BIO represents more than 950 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.

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