2008 BIO International Convention to Help Heal, Fuel, and Feed the World

              “Our convention attendees have expressed a desire to see the varying ways our industry is working to help heal, fuel, and feed the world across all sectors of biotechnology -including healthcare, industrial and environmental, and food and agricultural industries,” said Robbi Lycett, BIO’s vice president, Conventions and Conferences.  “Our diverse program of session tracks will help to further promote the drive for innovation in all parts of this growing industry.”

                The 2008 BIO International Convention program will set the groundwork for discussions on current and future ways in which biotechnology will heal, fuel, and feed the world:

•                 New developments in clinical research, drug development and healthcare are providing cutting-edge therapies to help heal the world.
                  -     Orphan Drugs – Learn more about the clinical and regulatory pathway for these drugs and the patients who depend on them.
                  -     Therapeutic Gene Silencing – Recent advances in RNA biology lead to new challenges and opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry.
                  -     Personalized Medicine – Personalized, targeted therapies have the potential to provide patients with more effective and efficient methods of treatment.

•                Creating a greener environment through alternative energy sources is just one of many ways that biotechnology is working to help fuel the world.
                  -          Clean Tech – A successful green clean-tech model can create efficiencies and benefits that result from integrating biological, economic, production, energy, water and societal aspects of production.
                  -          Building Sustainable Industries – See how sustainability translates into real-world applications in a variety of industries beyond biofuels.
  
  
•                 Exploring new and innovative ways to improve our food supply and be better stewards to the environment are a few ways that biotechnology is helping to feed the world.

                          -          Plant Biotechnology - Modern agricultural biotechnology is exploring new ways to sustain food supply with drought resistant and higher yield crops.

                          -          Genetically Engineered Animals for Food - Learn how consumer opinion is changing with respect to animal biotechnology in agriculture.

                For more information on the 2008 BIO International Convention and its program, please visit www.bio2008.org. 

                In 2007, the convention attracted 22,366 attendees and exhibitors with approximately one-third from countries outside the U.S. The Boston event also hosted more than 300 domestic and international public officials including 7 US governors.

                Growth of the meeting, and BIO overall, has paralleled that of the dynamic industry that BIO represents. BIO currently projects more than 20,000 attendees for the 2008 BIO International Convention in San Diego. The convention was last held in San Diego in 2001 and attracted 14,731 professionals.

                Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the news media. To register, please visit www.bio2008.org/mediaregistration.  Reporters and editors working full-time for print, broadcast, and online news organizations may register onsite with valid media credentials. All freelancers, college and online publications are strongly encouraged to register in advance by Wednesday, June 4, 2008.

                Registration for attendees is offered at an early-bird discounted rate until May 8, 2008. Online registration is open at www.bio2008.org/registration..

                The BIO International Convention helps to support BIO programs and initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a policy environment that enables the industry to continue to fulfill its vision of bettering the world through biotechnology innovation.  For more information on the global event for biotechnology, including program and housing information, please visit www.bio2008.org.   Also, be sure to check out our blog, www.bioontheroad.org for up to date information on all BIO events. 

Upcoming BIO Events

 ·   Partnering for Global Health  
    March 11-12, 2008
    Washington, DC

 ·   BIO-Europe Spring 
    April 7-9, 2008
    Madrid, Spain

 ·   BIO National Venture Conference 
    April 22-23, 2008
    Boston, Mass.

 ·   World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing  
    April 27-30, 2008
    Chicago, Ill.

 ·   2008 BIO International Convention 
    June 17-20, 2008
    San Diego, Calif.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,150 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology technologies. BIO also produces the annual BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

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