Nominations Now Open for BioFlorida’s Annual Industry Awards

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nominations are now open for BioFlorida’s three prestigious industry awards: the Weaver H. Gaines Leadership Award, the David J. Gury Company of the Year Award and the James E. King Legislator of the Year Award.

Named after the co-founding director and former chairman of BioFlorida, The Gaines Award is presented to an individual in the private or public sector who has made extraordinary contributions to the growth of Florida’s life sciences industry. David Day, vice president of technology transfer at the University of Florida, was last year’s winner.

The Gury Award honors a company that has achieved a significant technologic advancement or reached a major product development milestone. Last year’s recipient was RTI Biologics, an Alachua-based processor of orthopedic, dental, hernia and other biologic implants.

The King Award will be given to a legislator who has introduced, sponsored or endorsed significant legislation that has directly impacted the state’s life sciences sector. The award is a tribute to Sen. King, a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1986-1999, who subsequently represented the 8^th District of the Florida Senate until he died of pancreatic cancer in 2009. Sen. Ken Pruitt, who represented the 28^th District of the Florida Senate from 2000-2009, was honored with the award last year.

The deadline for nominations is August 31^st and can be made online here. Winners will be selected by a panel of industry leaders and approved by the BioFlorida Board of Directors. Awardees will be honored at BioFlorida’s 13^th Annual Conference, scheduled for October 24 – 26 at the Marriott Harbor Beach in Ft. Lauderdale. More than 400 guests are expected at this year’s conference, and a total of 50 speakers will share their insights on the latest trends and issues in biomedical research and bioscience business. This year’s conference will also feature dedicated bioscience company presentations, investor panels and interactive workshops.

Sponsors for BioFlorida’s 13^th Annual Conference include Beckman Coulter, Inc.; Novak Druce + Quigg LLP; Carey O’Donnell Public Relations Group; Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP; Saliwanchik, Lloyd & Saliwanchik; Moffitt Cancer Center; Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO); Nova Southeastern University; Pittcon 2011; Smith & Hopen, P.A.; University of Florida - UF Tech Connect; University of Miami Life Science & Technology Park; USF Connect; VGTI Florida; Mann Research Center, LLC; Business Wire; CRB; Enterprise Development Corporation; HDR Architecture, Inc.; Research Facilities Design; Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute at Lake Nona; Suffolk Construction Company, Inc.; The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company; Dean Mead; PharmaZell, Inc.; and youngStartUp Ventures.

Media partners include BioWorld Today; FierceBiotech; Florida Technology Journal; and Innovaro Pharmaliscensing.

Regular registration for the conference is $499 for BioFlorida members; $625 for nonmembers; and $150 for students, faculty and postdocs. For more information, visit www.bioflorida.com.

About BioFlorida

BioFlorida is the voice of Florida’s bioscience industry association, and represents more than 200 member companies and research organizations in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device fields. Operating as a not-for-profit organization, BioFlorida works to facilitate and advance innovations in the healthcare, agriculture and energy sectors for its membership base. BioFlorida members are involved in biomedical research and development, medical device manufacturing, clinics and hospitals, academia, government and non-profit organizations, and industry services/products. BioFlorida’s leadership and programs positively influence the growth of the industry through networking and initiatives related to capital formation, advocacy, workforce development, education and commercialization of research. This year, the BioFlorida Institute was established to provide support for K-12 science education, workforce development programs as well as professional development. For more information, visit www.bioflorida.com.