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Industry Veterans to Speak at Biotech 2003 Conference
Bear Stearns' Senior Managing Director Mary Tanner to Deliver Keynote; Burrill & Co. Founder, CEO Steve Burrill to Give Luncheon Address
March 21, 2003, Research Triangle Park, NC - The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) today announced that two biotechnology industry veterans will deliver keynote and luncheon addresses at the Biotech 2003 conference. Mary Tanner, senior managing director of the Investment Banking/Healthcare Group of Bear & Stearns Co., Inc., will give a keynote address. Steve Burrill, CEO and founder of San Francisco-based Burrill & Company, has also agreed to deliver a luncheon speech at the conference
Biotech 2003: "Fusing Science, Technology, and Business Leadership," scheduled for May 21, 2003, at the RTP's Sheraton Imperial Hotel, will pinpoint the state's global impact on life sciences and will offer insight into the future of the area's flagship industry. The conference is presented by CED, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the North Carolina Biosciences Organization (NCBIO) and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).
Helga Leftwich, a member of Hutchison & Mason PLLC and co-chair of Biotech 2003, said both speakers would bring important perspectives on the dynamic biotechnology environment.
"Especially in these times of uncertainties in the markets, we are fortunate to have Mary Tanner, whose wide-ranging experience in the industry uniquely qualify her to assess the current state and future prospects of the life science industry," Leftwich said. "Also, Steve Burrill has been an active investor in and supporter of North Carolina's life science companies and thus can offer a unique perspective on the state of the industry in North Carolina."
Tanner, a 24-year veteran of the health care and consumer products industry, has extensive experience with numerous initial public offerings, financings, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. She has effected more than 500 transactions with a total disclosed value of $100+ billion.
Burrill has been very involved in the growth and prosperity of the biotechnology industry for 35 years. An early pioneer in the biotechnology industry, he is one of the original architects of the industry and one of its most avid and sustained promoters. Burrill is currently Board Chairman for Paradigm Genetics, and he also serves on the board of Targacept.
Aside from offering speeches from industry leaders, Biotech 2003 also features 8 panel discussions on key issues in biotechnology. Inspire Pharmaceutical's CEO Christy Shaffer will moderate a panel called "Innovative Approaches to Biotech Financing." Also, the N.C. Biotechnology Center's President, Leslie Alexandre, will moderate a panel on strengthening the state's biotech industry. This panel includes community leaders from all over the state (Biltmore Farms, Pitt County Development Commission, UNC-Charlotte) discussing how they've put biotech to work in their region.
About Biotech 2003: The 12th annual Biotech conference will be held May 21 at the RTP's Sheraton Imperial Hotel. The conference will focus on the latest biotech issues, the sector's impact on North Carolina's economy, and the needed resources for future prosperity. The event features addresses from nationally known biotech leaders and panel discussions on North Carolina's latest biotechnology developments. "Early bird" registration rates end April 11. Registration increases $100 on April 12. Interested parties should visit the conference Web site at www.cednc.org/biotech/2003.
About CED: The Council for Entrepreneurial Development, located in Research Triangle Park, NC, is a private, non-profit organization formed in 1984 to stimulate the creation and growth of high-impact companies in the greater Research Triangle region. CED provides education, mentoring and capital formation resources to new and existing high-growth entrepreneurs through annual conferences, seminars, workshops and monthly programs on entrepreneurial management and finance. CED is the largest entrepreneurial support organization in the nation with more than 4,000 members representing 1,100 entrepreneurial companies, financiers and professional firms. www.cednc.org
About the North Carolina Biotechnology Center: The North Carolina Biotechnology Center is a private, non-profit corporation funded primarily by the state's General Assembly. Its mission is to provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina by supporting biotechnology research, business and education statewide. www.ncbiotech.org
About the North Carolina Biosciences Organization: NCBIO is a trade organization promoting the development of the biosciences industry in North Carolina. NCBIO provides cost-effective, organized legislative and advocacy efforts on behalf of the industry at the state and federal levels.
About the Biotechnology Industry Organization: The Biotechnology 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 healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. www.bio.org