The final numbers are in and we have good reason to celebrate (perhaps we should get a three-day weekend?!) - there were a record number of institutional investors at the CEO & Investor Conference, 1,050 in total. Most of the more than 200 company presentations were full rooms, since in total we had more than 2000 participants. And obviously a lot of dealmaking and potential dealmaking was in the works with more than 1400 one-on-one meetings.
Despite a delayed train, I got home at 11:30 last night, not too bad considering how bad it could have been! At least the thirty minute delay allowed me to hang out with Mary from Amtrak who repeatedly got requests from folks trying to move up their reservations and she had the pleasure of turning them away one after another since all the trains were filled to the brim. At least she offered them all the option of being ‘duck taped to the side of the train,’ that has to be the best quote I’ve heard in awhile. Thanks for a truly spectacular conference, everyone!
I’m heading south – and closer to home – next month. Join me from March 10-12 in Washington, DC, for our first ever, international Partnering for Global Health Forum. Ok, so technically, I jump on Amtrak in a few hours to go back home to DC, but you get the point! DC in the spring is fabulous – as long as it doesn’t rain. And the conference will be a can’t miss event, even if it does rain. So why come? Four great reasons:
-
An open exchange with world-renowned leaders in global health, industry, government and the donor community
-
Opportunities to meet one-on-one with leading companies, researchers and donors
-
Presentations from innovators pursuing technologies and products applicable to diseases of the developing world
-
Perspectives from public and private funders supporting global health R&D
-
Sen. Brownback is speaking!
Make sure you register today. Spaces are already filling up! Click on http://pgh.bio.org
Conference Slide Show
Published February 13, 2008 Business & Financial , Events , General 0 CommentsTags: BIO, biotechnology, CEO and Investor Conference, New York
Industrial biotech does it all. The Third Wave in biotech is looking bright for the future. Industrial biotech represents the confluence of market demand and the potential for market solution, according to David Berry, MD, PhD of Flagship Ventures - one of the panel speakers. Synthetic biotechnology, for one, is enabling the next generation in biofuels, while companies like Mascoma are commercializing cellulosic ethanol. The future vision for industrial biotech is to have a significant and meaningful impact on the world. In order to achieve this, one important step is to narrowly focus the problem that needs to be resolved and target specific innovations to that problem rather than creating one-size-fits all solutions. Panelists further discussed all the various applications of industrial biotech - from fuel to food to fashion - as the session title aptly points out.
Validation with big pharma – is it still necessary? Depends on who you talk to. This was one of several questions posed to panelists at today’s business roundtable session. Arguments can be made on both sides, but one thing is for certain, the life sciences financing community has become much more sophisticated in recent years. And biotech and pharma companies have become more sophisticated in doing deals because they have a lot more experience to draw from. That’s definitely a win-win for everyone involved.
Global health is the spotlight as BIO teams up with BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) and the Gates Foundation to host the first Partnering for Global Health conference in Washington, D.C. Kansas Senator Sam Brownback will be a key speaker. This brand new, international event will focus on opportunities for the biotech industry to help accelerate the development of medicines for neglected diseases of the developing world. More info is at http://pgh.bio.org/opencms/PGH/2008/index.jsp
The biggest buzz aside from biotech at the CEO conference is definitely the light snowfall outside. Word on the street is that it will continue to warm up and the snow won’t stick, hopefully no one’s travel will be dramatically inconvenienced tomorrow. If you want a second opinion: www.weather.com
Check it out:
Chicago is my kinda town. Meet me there April 27-30 for the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing. There’s a great lineup of sessions and speakers highlighting the latest in industrial biotechnology. Now in its fifth year, the Congress continues to grow in size and scope. This event has something for everyone - session tracks will cover relevant topics in the areas of biofuels and bioenergy; renewable feedstocks; renewable chemicals and biomaterials; fine chemicals; food ingredients and pharmaceuticals; and business development, infrastructure, and public policy - not to mention an exhibit hall and business partnering opportunities. Check out the web site at www.bio.org/worldcongress2008/
