BIO International Convention Adds New Focus Zones to Exhibition

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 9, 2007) -- The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today announced the addition of six product focus zones to the BIO Exhibition at the 2007 BIO International Convention. A product focus zone is a collection of exhibit booths which highlight a topic or application area important to BIO International Convention attendees. The BIO International Convention, produced by BIO, will bring more than 20,000 global biotechnology industry leaders and government officials to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center May 6-9 in Boston, Massachusetts.

"We believe that the addition of these highly specialized 'zones' will be extremely beneficial to our meeting attendees and exhibitors," explained Robbi Lycett, vice president for conferences and conventions at BIO. "Attendees will now be able to better plan their visit to the exhibition based on their specific needs and interests."

The new focus zones represent the newest products, processes and ideas within the biotechnology industry. New zones for 2007 include:

• Clinical Trials – This zone will focus on biomarkers and the FDA's Critical Path, global product and disease registries and clinical trial designs

• Devices and Diagnostics - This zone will center around delivery system challenges, imaging science, personalized medicine, and targeted therapies

• BIO Process – This zone will include bioanalytical methods & assay development, contract services & outsourcing, drug delivery, fermentation & cell culture, formulation, fill & finish, information technology, manufacturing, regulatory compliance, separation & purification, single-use technologies, and validation & quality issues. As an added feature, the BIO Process Zone will also include free theater presentations on the exhibition floor. To view the full schedule, please visit http://www.bio.org/Attendess/exhibition/process.htm.

• Therapeutics – Specialties covered in this zone will include RNA interference, gene silencing, retroviral vector based gene therapy products, and xenotransplantation products.

Zones returning this year include:

• Industrial & Environmental – A sample of topics in this zone includes biofuels, cellulosic ethanol, forestry, and white biotechnology.

• Products and Services – This zone focuses on many aspects of the industry, such as biotechnology focused law firms, facility design and management groups, lab and clean room equipment suppliers, office equipment, supplies and services, logistics providers such as car services, insurance, employee benefits services, and other business support organizations.

This year's BIO International Convention, themed "New Ideas. Bold Ventures. Global Benefits," will feature a program packed with more than 200 sessions and speakers focusing on the global aspects of biotechnology, including business development, global health, clinical research/clinical trials, policy, bioethics, devices and diagnostics, biopreparedness, intellectual property/legal, food and agriculture, and industrial and environmental issues. International seminars will spotlight national-level developments from more than 30 countries and regions worldwide. To view the full conference program, please visit www.bio2007.org/attendees/educational_sessions/index.html.

General registration for the BIO International Convention is now available at www.bio2007.org/registration/index.html. For more information about the global event for biotechnology, including housing and program updates, please visit the event homepage at www.bio2007.org.

Advance media registration for the BIO International Convention is now available online. Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the news media. To register, please visit www.bio2007.org/media/index.html. Reporters and editors working full-time for print or broadcast news organizations may register onsite with valid media credentials. All freelancers, college and online publications are strongly encouraged to register in advance by Friday, April 20, 2007.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

Upcoming BIO Events