New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno to Address BioNJ 2013 Annual Meeting

TRENTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BioNJ, the trade association for New Jersey’s growing biotechnology industry, will welcome New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno to address attendees at the association’s 20^th Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 7.

“One of the key factors in the industry’s growth has been the support of our Governors and State Legislators who have developed and supported innovative policies and incentive programs that have nurtured the industry over the years and the Governor Christie Administration is a standout in that regard”

BioNJ’s signature event, the 2013 Annual Dinner Meeting, Awards Program and Networking Event will be held at the Hilton East Brunswick in East Brunswick, NJ beginning at 5:30 p.m. Highlights also include a unique fireside chat, Biotech in New Jersey…The Next 20 Years, which will feature industry, financial and academic thought leaders, and the presentation of the Dr. Sol J. Barer Award for Vision, Innovation and Leadership to Dr. Francois Nader, President and CEO of NPS Pharmaceuticals.

Debbie Hart, President and CEO of BioNJ, said the Lt. Governor’s appearance reflects State Government’s long-term support of the biotechnology industry, which has grown from 80 companies in 1998 to more than 350 today.

"One of the key factors in the industry’s growth has been the support of our Governors and State Legislators who have developed and supported innovative policies and incentive programs that have nurtured the industry over the years and the Governor Christie Administration is a standout in that regard,” said Debbie Hart. “We are honored that Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno can be with us this year. Ardent supporters of biotech, Governor Chris Christie and Lt. Governor Guadagno are committed to making New Jersey one of the most biotech friendly states in the nation.”

About BioNJ’s 20th Annual Meeting

Growing in prominence with each year, the Annual Meeting brings together executives of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, professional service providers, government officials, academic leaders and others for an evening of networking, business discussions and award presentations. More than 700 people attended the 2012 meeting.

The Dr. Sol J. Barer Award for Vision, Innovation, and Leadership was established by the BioNJ Board of Trustees in March 2008 in an effort to recognize the outstanding research and business leaders who have made and continue to make significant contributions to the growth of the biosciences in New Jersey and around the world. The honoree is voted on by the BioNJ Board of Trustees from a recommendation based on nominations received by the Nominating Committee. The award is named for and will be presented by Sol J. Barer, Ph.D., who founded the biotechnology group at Celanese that was subsequently spun out to form Celgene, one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies.

The 2013 awardee, Dr. Nader, has served as President, CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of NPS Pharmaceuticals since 2008. During his tenure, Dr. Nader transformed NPS into a leading biotechnology company focused on treatments for patients with rare disorders in gastroenterology and endocrinology. NPS’ lead product, Gattex for short bowel syndrome, was approved in the United States and Europe in 2012. NPS is also developing Natpara® for a rare endocrine disorder, hypoparathyroidism, and plans to file its Biologic License Application seeking U.S. marketing approval in mid-2013.

The fireside chat, Biotech in New Jersey…the Next 20 Years, will feature: Dr. Robert L. Barchi, President of Rutgers, The State University; James C. Greenwood, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO); Robert J. Hugin, Chairman and CEO of Celgene Corporation; Mary C. Tanner, Senior Managing Director of Burrill and Company and Burrill Securities, and Dr. Jesse I. Treu, Partner, Domain Associates. The Wall Street Journal staff writer Jonathan Rockoff will serve as moderator.

About BioNJ

BioNJ is singularly focused on advancing the growth and prosperity of New Jersey’s biotechnology cluster through advocacy initiatives directed at State and federal public policy issues and networking and educational programs that bring the community together. Founded in 1994 by New Jersey industry CEOs, the 300-member organization serves as the voice of biotechnology companies located in New Jersey, seeks to promote their economic growth and development and works to encourage new and established companies from around the world to locate to New Jersey. BioNJ represents companies engaged in biopharmaceutical, biomedical, bioagricultural and bioremedial endeavors.

To learn more about BioNJ and the 2013 Annual Dinner Meeting, please visit www.BioNJ.org.