Press Release
Contact: Robert Albright |
Phone: 919-549-7500 ext.123 |
Conference Highlights N.C.'s Biotech Community
Biotech 2005 Draws Experts from Medicine, Finance and Government to Explore Future Potential of Life Science Sector
May 25, 2005, Research Triangle Park, NC – The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED), along with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the North Carolina Biosciences Organization (NCBIO) and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), hosted the 14 th annual Biotech conference on Tuesday and Wednesday with more than 800 people participating in total. Held at the RTP’s Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center, Biotech 2005: Fusing Science, Technology and Industry Leadership showcased the state’s position as a global player in the life science sector.
The conference kicked off Tuesday afternoon with comments from Dr. Henri Meier, Chairman of the Board of Directors, HBM Partners AG and HBM BioVentures AG. Dr. Meier shared his experience investing globally in life science companies. He noted that North Carolina was uniquely positioned to take advantage of biotechnology’s explosive growth moving forward.
“North Carolina is a great place to do business. I can’t imagine a more inviting place to do a deal,” Dr. Meier told Biotech 2005 attendees. “North Carolina must continue to leverage its collegial spirit and collaborative nature of doing business.”
Dr. Victor Dzau , Chancellor for Health Affairs, Duke University and President and CEO, Duke University Health System, also spoke Tuesday afternoon at the conference. Dr. Dzau emphasized the importance of bold, strategic collaborations to improve the pipeline of innovation and commercialization.
On Wednesday morning, the conference featured opening remarks from Leslie Alexandre, P resident and CEO of the N.C. Biotechnology Center; L ieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue; and Dr. Tanja Popovic, Acting Associate Director for Science, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Following these comments, the conference offered six concurrent panels that highlighted trends in late-stage financing, early-stage financing, global biotech, government partnerships, personalized medicines and technology convergence.
During lunch on Wednesday, Walter E. Daniels of Daniels Daniels & Verdonik received the 3 rd annual Charles Hamner Leadership Award in recognition of extraordinary contributions and service in the region’s life science sector.
David Malakoff , technology and science correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR), wrapped up the conference with a luncheon keynote address. Through humorous anecdotes, Malakoff explained the implications of fragmented media, the public’s perception of media, journalists’ role as advocates/critics, and the occasional “clash of cultures” between scientists and journalists.
After Malakoff’s comments, Biotech 2005 Conference Co-Chair Murray Spruill of Alston & Bird encouraged conference attendees to work diligently to support life sciences in North Carolina.
“I’m proud of the biotech community in North Carolina,” Spruill said. “I challenge everyone to go out and continue to do great things for North Carolina’s life science economy.”
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 3,500 members representing 1,000 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
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