<u>Media Advisory</u><br>BIO to Host Welcome Brunch for Media Attending BIO 2003 in Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 20, 2003)—Reporters registered to attend BIO 2003 are invited to attend a welcoming brunch on Sunday, June 22, to launch the meeting. Industry, government and thought leaders will discuss biotechnology applications that focus on the public health crises in the developing world (evidenced by AIDS, TB, and malaria) and what the biotech industries can and are already doing do to help.

A contributing factor to health issues is food insecurity. Nearly three-quarters of the African population is food insecure and 80% of family earnings are spent on food, while 60% of the population lives in absolute poverty. Learn what biotechnology can do to lessen both issues.

Biotech foods and refreshments will be served.

Date:	Sunday, June 22, 2003
Featured Speakers:	Host: Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell JP Garnier, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, GlaxoSmithKline Una S. Ryan, Ph.D., President and CEO, AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. Florence Wambugu, Ph.D., CEO, A Harvest Biotech Foundation International Robert B. Horsch, Ph.D., Vice President Product & Technology Cooperation, Monsanto Company Ganesh Kishore, Ph.D., Vice President, Technology for DuPont Agriculture and Nutrition
Time:	11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location:	Washington Convention Center Room 146A 801 Mount Vernon Place Washington, DC Mt. Vernon Square-UDC Metro (Green & Yellow lines)
Special Menu:	"Taste the Future" A special menu offering unique blends of tastes and textures; each dish features at least one biotech ingredient. Aperitif: Papaya smoothie First Course: Roasted root vegetable napoleon Second Course: Plum port glazed shrimp with plum papaya salsa Dessert: Chocolate almond toffee parfait

Registration is complimentary for credentialed news media. To register, please visit www.bio.org. Only reporters and editors working full-time for print or broadcast news organizations may register on-site with valid media credentials. Reporters are urged to register as soon as possible.

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.