Record number of institutional investors at CEO

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.

Southward Bound for Partnering for Global Health

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

Sen. Brownback to speak at Global Health conference

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  

Get the Deep Dish on Biotech at the World Congress

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/

Boston in the Spring Time is Even More Lovely with BIO

BIO will debut a new conference in Boston April 22-23.  The National Venture Conference will draw early-stage, private biotech companies and healthcare venture partners.  I hope to see you there, but in the meantime, check out http://bnvc.bio.org for more details in the coming months.

Biotech World to Descend on San Diego

The 2008 BIO International Convention is the place to be for anyone covering the life sciences, investments and policy.  If you have attended in the past, you’ll notice a few changes – the day pattern will be Tuesday through Friday, come into town early though for the golf outing. I’ll be dragging my Patti Berg’s to California, should be fun. Check out the new program tracks – Biomarkers, Growing the Biotech Workforce, and International Case Studies.  Join me June 17-20 in San Diego. And, if you haven’t already, book your hotel room soon since they fill up fast – www.bio2008.org