Press Release
Contact: Robert Albright |
Phone: 919-549-7500 ext.123 |
Conference Showcases N.C.'s Biotech Community
Biotech 2004 Draws Large Crowd to Explore Life Sciences Environment
May 27, 2004, 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 13th annual Biotech conference on Wednesday and Thursday with an estimated 900 people participating in total. Held at the RTP's Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center, Biotech 2004: Fusing Science, Technology and Business Leadership highlighted the state's role as a global player in life sciences and also offered insight into the future of biotechnology.
The conference kicked off Wednesday afternoon with comments from Dr. Leroy Hood, an industry pioneer who is co-founder and president of the Seattle-based Institute of Systems Biology. Hood shared his expertise on the interconnectedness and future impact of systems biology.
“We stand at an incredible point in time with biology and medicine,” Dr. Hood told a standing-room-only crowd. “The key question is 'How do you create an environment where innovation can thrive?' The future is unbounded, and systems biology will be a real driver to catalyze other disciplines.”
Steve Burrill, CEO and founder of San Francisco-based Burrill & Company, returned to Biotech 2004 by popular demand after speaking at last year's conference. Capital markets are largely driving the life science industry today, Burrill said. He went on to note that despite the challenges for future success in biotechnology, the industry is fundamentally strong with a deep pipeline.
On Thursday, the conference featured a marquee panel of investment bankers, an analyst and two area life science executives who discussed key elements of taking a private biotech company public. Following this featured panel discussion, the conference offered concurrent panels that highlighted trends in biotech commercialization, prescription drug pricing, biomanufacturing and university-led economic development initiatives. Dr. Ralph Snyderman, chancellor for Health Affairs at Duke University and president and CEO of Duke University Health System, wrapped up the conference with a luncheon keynote address.
“We are facing a time where emerging sciences can transform medicines and technology,” Dr. Snyderman said. “The rise of risk assessment and prediction in medicine will empower people to know barriers to their health and how to get around these barriers.”
Conference Co-Chair Deborah Hylton, an attorney with Womble Carlyle Sandridge and Rice, said Biotech 2004 exhibited the growing potential of the life science community in North Carolina.
“The large attendance and very focused audience at this year's conference shows us where we've been and where we're headed in biotechnology in North Carolina,” Hylton said. “Having speakers that can provide the scientific as well as the capital markets perspective makes this a really strong event.”
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, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2004, 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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