BIO expects growth in attendance at BIO Investor Forum.

Press Release Summary:



Scheduled for Oct 29-31 in San Francisco, Seventh Annual BIO Investor Forum will include more than 240 venture capital and public market investors, representing 40% increase in participation compared to 2007. Forum will also feature more than 140 presentations by private and publicly traded companies, 28 distinguished clinicians and investigators, 9 Therapeutic Workshops(TM), and 6 Business Roundtables, which have been reviewed by Advisory Committee of industry leaders.



Original Press Release:



Significant Growth of Biotech Investor Participation Expected for Seventh Annual BIO Investor Forum



Attendance levels reflect continued confidence in high-quality biotech companies despite down market

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Tuesday, October 21, 2008) - The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today announces a substantial increase in anticipated investor participation in the Seventh Annual BIO Investor Forum, taking place Oct. 29-31 in San Francisco, Calif. at the Palace Hotel. More than 240 venture capital and public market investors are expected to attend - representing a 40 percent increase in participation compared to 2007.

The Seventh Annual BIO Investor Forum will feature more than 140 presentations by private and publicly traded companies, 28 distinguished clinicians and investigators, nine Therapeutic Workshops(TM) and six Business Roundtables, which have been reviewed by an Advisory Committee of industry leaders. Experts hand-selected to speak at this conference will focus on current biotechnology pipeline innovation, and the latest in clinical strategy, capital access and creative funding techniques. BIO launched independent investor meetings more than a decade ago to ensure access to qualified investors for entrepreneurial biotech companies - even in times of economic duress. One of BIO's priorities is to stimulate and support investment in biotech innovation.

A list of the companies of registered investors can be found at investorforum.bio.org/bif/2008/Investors.html.

"The fact that investor attendance for BIF is up over last year's strong level shows that despite these difficult market conditions, investors continue to be interested in both innovative companies pursuing cutting edge scientific advances and high quality programming," said Jim Greenwood, BIO President and CEO. "As investor and corporate interest in the conference continues to grow, we anticipate three days of engaging discussions from leading biotech experts representing innovative private and public companies, investors and the entire financial community."

"I have found the BIO Investor Forum to be one of my favorite conferences for seeing new investment ideas, meeting individually with management teams and attending insightful panel discussions that speak to investors who closely follow this industry," said Ashley Dombkowski, PhD, Managing Director of MPM Capital. "Companies selected to present and featured experts represent some of the most innovative technologies, clinical development programs and industry infrastructure issues today, which is a refreshing reminder of what draws investors and partners to this conference."

This year's meeting will continue to explore current and competitive therapeutic development trends and investment opportunities in life sciences through therapeutic, business and plenary panels.

Development-stage companies presenting at the BIO Investor Forum were chosen through a competitive screening process taking into consideration company size, financing history, near-term clinical catalysts, innovation in a particular therapeutic field and level of unmet medical need.

The conference will also feature BIO's web-based partnering system to arrange one-on-one meetings between registered companies, investors, and industry business development, licensing and therapeutic franchise heads.

To register for the BIO Investor Forum, visit investorforum.bio.org/. Registration is complimentary for qualified investors and credentialed members of the media.

Private and public biopharmaceutical companies interested in speaking at the conference in the limited number of presentation slots available can contact BIO Customer Service at biopartnering@bio.org or 866.356.5155 (US), 1.202.962.6666 (International).

The BIO Investor Forum is a national investor conference featuring leading private and emerging public companies. The meeting attracts healthcare venture and private equity investors, buy-side investors and research analysts. In addition, the BIO Investor Forum draws business development executives from leading global pharmaceutical and mature biotechnology companies.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,200 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 products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

Upcoming BIO Events

Intellectual Property Counsels' Committee Fall Conference and Meeting

October 20-22, 2008

Orlando, Fla.

BIO HR Conference 2008

October 26-28, 2008

San Diego, Calif.

BIO-LES Advanced Business Development Course

October 27-29, 2008

San Francisco, Calif.

BIO Investor Forum 2008

October 29-31, 2008

San Francisco, Calif.

Advanced Business Development Course

November 14-16, 2008

Mannheim/Heidelberg, Germany

BIO-Europe 2008

November 17-19, 2008

Mannheim/Heidelberg, Germany

BIO National Venture Conference

March 31 - April 1, 2009

Boston, Mass.

2009 BIO International Convention

May 18-21, 2009

Atlanta, Ga.

Contact Erin Reese

202-962-9235

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