BIO to Host Briefing on Intellectual Property and Biotech Innovation

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 1, 2003) — The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) will host a breakfast, panel briefing tomorrow, Friday, May 2, to discuss the important role intellectual property plays in the American biotechnology industry.

WHO:
Jasemine Chambers, Ph.D., J.D., U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Jim Davis, Ph.D., J.D., Human Genome Sciences Inc.
Christopher Palatucci, Ph.D., Athena Diagnostics
Jeff Kushan, Esq., representing Genentech
Rita Khanna, Ph.D., J.D., University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute

WHAT:
A panel discussion of what constitutes a genetic invention and how the PTO determines what is patentable, how small and medium-size biotech companies use gene patents to develop their product pipelines, and how gene patents bring academia and industry together to develop life-saving diagnostics and therapies.

WHEN:
Friday, May 2, 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:
Room HC-5, Capitol Building

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.

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