2009 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference Attracts Record Number of Bioscience Companies

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 2009 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference drew more than 750 participants—including a record number of more than 300 bioscience companies in attendance—for its annual bioscience and investor conference. For its fifth year, the conference brought together industry luminaries, innovators, capital sources, academic and research organizations, and government agencies representing 30 states and the international community.

“This conference continues to provide a forum for companies to collaborate and advance their business interests.”

During today’s Closing Plenary Luncheon, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean projected the affects of healthcare reform policy and regulatory changes on the bioscience and investment communities. Dean covered a number of topics, including the need for protections of intellectual property that serves to inspire innovation.

Billionaire investor RJ Kirk, who provided insights at a plenary session, said, “the next 20 years of bioscience is ten times more exciting than the last ten.” He added, “game changing science will draw investments.” He also provided bioscience companies with tips to better appeal to capital sources, which has been increasingly challenging as capital markets are becoming tighter.

Other plenary session speakers included Thomas Morrison, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of NaviNet, and Tom Watkins, CEO of Human Genome Sciences.

Yesterday, at the “Healthcare Policy Panel,” Representative Charles Boustany (R-La) and Thomas Morrison discussed how healthcare and healthcare IT policy and regulatory changes will impact the future of the bioscience industry, while Steve Usdin, Senior Editor, BioCentury Publications, Inc. provided an update to the progress of the healthcare debate. Additionally, Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) made remarks at the “CEO & Investor Reception.”

The 2009 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, November 4 through 6, is held in Washington, D.C., at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center. Mid-Atlantic Bio is co-hosted by the region’s most influential life science and investor associations, MdBio Division of the Tech Council of Maryland (TCM/MdBio), the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), and the Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO).

“Considering the challenging economy and current national trends, we are gratified to have drawn such an exceptionally high level of industry participation,” said Host Committee member Mark A. Herzog, executive director of Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO). “This conference continues to provide a forum for companies to collaborate and advance their business interests.”

A key aspect of the conference program included twenty-four life science companies, who were competitively selected to present to an audience of venture capitalists, industry professionals, and potential strategic partners. This year’s conference featured two distinct tracks: the “Showcase” track with nine later stage companies and the “Growth Watch” track with fifteen emerging companies. The companies, at various stages of development, range from seed and early stages to later stage growth, and represented a cross-section of industry sectors.

Innovation Corridor Science posters unveiled the latest research findings from the region's top academic and corporate entrepreneurs, researchers, faculty members, and students. A variety of scientific, business and investor workshops and panels rounded out a full programming agenda.

Diamond sponsors for the 2009 conference included BioMaryland, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, and Human Genome Sciences. For a complete list of sponsors, visit www.midatlanticbio.org.

The Mid-Atlantic Bio Host Committee announced plans for the 2010 conference, which will be held at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, October 25-27, 2010, in Bethesda, Md.

ABOUT MID-ATLANTIC BIO

Mid-Atlantic Bio is co-hosted by the region’s most influential life science and investor associations, MdBio Division of the Tech Council of Maryland (TCM/MdBio), the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), and the Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO). Mid-Atlantic Bio benefits from broad regional support from the investor and greater business communities, academic institutions, government agencies, and partnering regional associations. For more information, or to register or sponsor, please visit www.midatlanticbio.org.