The Inaugural BioPharm America™ Partnering Conference Kicks Off in Atlanta

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The inaugural BioPharm America™ partnering conference yesterday opened its doors to an enthusiastic crowd of close to 400 biotechnology deal-makers at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. EBD Group’s President Carola Schropp, welcomed a delegation representing 258 companies from 24 countries, saying, “This is EBD Group’s first U.S.-based partnering conference and we are very excited to extend our proven format for partnering to the North American marketplace.”

“Data show that the total number of annual bio-partnering deals has doubled from 600 in 1997 to more than 1,200 in 2007, led by approximately 400 biotech-big pharma collaborations in 2007, followed closely by biotech-academia/nonprofit deals and biotech-biotech partnerships, both with more than 300 each.”

“BioPharm America is the direct response to your repeated calls for a stand-alone life science partnering event in the United States., one that is able to attract corporate decision-makers and licensing opportunities from around the world. We look forward to growing BioPharm America into another valuable event that facilitates partnering within our industry, complementing our European conferences BIO-Europe and BIO-Europe Spring®.”

Charles Craig, President, Georgia Bio, remarked, “EBD Group’s decision to launch its first BioPharm America conference in Atlanta reflects its confidence in the South East as a biotech region.” The South East boasts three of the top ten biotech centers in the U.S.A.; has attracted USD 1.8 billion in venture capital in 2007 and the region employs 180,000 biotech workers.

Ken Stewart, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, told the BioPharm America audience that “EBD Group’s conference concept is right on. It is all about fostering partnerships and relationships.”

According to the BioWorld BioPartnering Report 2009, “Data show that the total number of annual bio-partnering deals has doubled from 600 in 1997 to more than 1,200 in 2007, led by approximately 400 biotech-big pharma collaborations in 2007, followed closely by biotech-academia/nonprofit deals and biotech-biotech partnerships, both with more than 300 each.

There has been no abatement in 2008. Deals continue to overshadow drugs as the defining industry trend. Partnering transactions continue at record-breaking rates and financial levels, while annual FDA approval rates remain flat.

The deal is still the thrill in drug development markets, as biotechnology innovation continues to be the temptation from which big pharma cannot afford to abstain.”

About BioPharm America™

BioPharm America™ is where biotech industry partnerships get started. Meet one-to-one with biotech and pharma executives from around the world to identify and enter strategic relationships. BioPharm America is the only partnering event in North America based on the same winning formula as EBD Group’s acclaimed European events BIO-Europe and BIO-Europe Spring®. BioPharm America is simply an unmatched opportunity for companies across the biotech value-chain to meet and do business. For more information please visit www.ebdgroup.com/bpa

About EBD Group

EBD Group is the leading partnering firm for the global life science industry. Since 1993, biotech, pharma and medical device have leveraged EBD Group’s partnering conferences, technology and services to identify business opportunities and develop strategic relationships essential to their success.

EBD Group’s conferences are run with the support of leading corporations and international trade associations include:

• BIO-Europe and BIO-Europe Spring^®, the world's largest stand-alone life science partnering conferences, supported by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
• BioPharm America™, EBD Group’s North American partnering event
• EuroMedtech™, EBD Group’s new partnering event for the innovative medical technology industry
• BioEquity Europe, co-organized with BioCentury Publications and BIO

EBD Group’s sophisticated Web-based partnering service, partneringONE™, is used as the partnering engine at numerous third-party events around the world. Outside of the conference format, EBD Group’s consultants provide hands-on assistance for firms seeking to in- or out-license products and technologies.

EBD Group has offices in the USA and Europe.

For more information please visit www.ebdgroup.com.