Presentation of Charles Hamner Award:

Charles E. Hamner, Jr.

Keynote Remarks:

Mary C. Tanner
Senior Managing Director, Investment Banking/Healthcare Group
Bear Stearns & Co., Inc.

Session I:  Strengthening North Carolina's Biotech Industry, One Region at a Time
North Carolina recently ranked 4th nationally in Brookings Institution's study of states with strong biotech sectors. The epicenter for this record of success has long been the state's flagship economic research engine - the Research Triangle Park. However, the state now looks to add to its biotechnology arsenal by supporting the emergence of significant biotech development across the state. For instance, communities from the west to the east, including the Triad area and Charlotte - are all employing thoughtful leadership from industry, research and educational institutions, and private and public economic development organizations to further cultivate the state's biotechnology strengths.

Working with realistic expectations, long-term vision, and cohesive partnerships across the diverse biotechnology spectrum, as well as relying upon the unique expertise of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center - the first of its kind in the nation, communities statewide will in coming years both build on and enrich North Carolina's existing strengths in development and commercialization of biotechnology. This panel will provide an overview of these regional initiatives and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing North Carolina's future biotechnology achievements.

Moderator:

• Leslie Alexandre, President and CEO, North Carolina Biotechnology Center

Panelists:

• John F.A.V. Cecil, President, Biltmore Farms
• John D. Chaffee, Executive Director, Pitt County Development Commission
• Bill Dean, President, !dealliance
• Mark S. Wdowik, Executive Director, Office of Technology Transfer, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Session II:  50 Years of DNA Research - A Time Travel Discussion
Since the discovery of DNA a half of a century ago, tools for probing the chemistry and biology of such a seemingly uncomplicated substance have brought an overwhelming amount of data and information. How much knowledge has been gained, and what has been applied to our everyday lives? Are the prospects good for continued innovation in this field? Panelists will discuss the early days of DNA research and its foundation to genomics, the systems biology approach to DNA research where computers and bioinformatics are the "lab bench," the application of pharmacogenomics to understand the DNA "blueprint" for the field of predictive medicine, and an entrepreneur's outlook for the next 50 years.

Moderator:

• Gary Pace, Vice President of Corporate Development & Legal Affairs, Gentris Corporation

Panelists:

• Frank Armstrong, University Professor of Biochemistry, Emeritus, North Carolina State University
• Michael Murphy, President and CEO, Gentris Corporation
• John Wilbanks, President and CEO, Incellico, Inc.

Session III:  Going Global - Creating Value Through International Alliances
To compete in today's biotechnology marketplace, North Carolina's bioscience companies must embrace the concept of globalization at increasingly earlier stages of development. This session will explore the expanding role of international partnerships in developing bioscience companies. From the perspective of both the bioscience company and large pharma partner, panelists will examine how to identify, nurture and manage an international alliance, including elements of the transaction, contractual provisions for maximizing return and reducing risk, and do's and don'ts of managing the relationship.

Moderator:

• Bill Bullock, International Business Development Manager for Biotechnology, N.C. Department of Commerce

Panelists:

• Dimitri F. Dimitriou, Chief Executive Officer, DyoDelta Biosciences, London, U.K.
• N. Peter Kostopulos, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
• Michael Recny, Vice President for Corporate Development, Trimeris, Inc.

Session IV:  The Latest in Biotech Tech Transfer
From its latest biotechnology innovations to its impact on economic development, this session will explore the creative initiatives and approaches within North Carolina's technology transfer offices.

The panelists will discuss the dynamic influence that technology transfer plays in North Carolina and the unique models and initiatives of their respective institutions, including such topics as the latest medical innovations in the universities' biotech pipeline, the unique models of tech transfer and university outreach, and current tech transfer and university initiatives.

Moderator:

• Russ Lea, Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs, The University of North Carolina

Panelists:

• Mark Crowell, Associate Vice Chancellor for Economic Development and Director of Technology Development, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Spencer Lemons, Director, Office of Technology Asset Management, Wake Forest University
• Peter M. Pellerito, Higher Education Policy Advisor, Biotechnology Industry Organization
• Marti Van Scott, Director, Office of Technology Transfer, East Carolina University

Lunch Speaker:

G. Steven Burrill
Chief Executive Officer
Burrill & Company

Session V:  Creative Financing in the Current Environment
Today more than ever, management teams across the industry spectrum must explore creative financing alternatives for continued growth. In addition to two local CEOs who have successfully utilized multiple vehicles of financing, the distinguished panelists for this session represent a nationally recognized venture capital firm, the venture arm of a large pharmaceutical company and a well-respected investment banking firm, each of which specializes in life science companies and has either invested in or assisted with the financing of several local companies. The panelists will offer their unique perspectives on the wide range of financing strategies available to life science companies - both traditional and non-equity - and will share with the audience some recent success stories

Moderator:

• Christy Shaffer, Chief Executive Officer, Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Panelists:

• Scott Beardsley, Managing Director, Health Care Group, USBancorp Piper Jaffray
• Clint G. "Skip" Dederick, Jr., Chairman, CEO and President, Merix Bioscience, Inc.
• Garheng Kong, Principal, Intersouth Partners
• Terry McGuire, Co-founder and Managing General Partner, Polaris Venture Partners
• Ed Torres, Principal, Lilly BioVentures
• Peter F. Young, President and CEO, AlphaVax, Inc.

Session VI:  Biomanufacturing Undercapacity: A North Carolina Opportunity
Biomanufacturing shortfalls in physical capacity and talent threaten to slow down the production and commercialization of new drug discoveries, spelling lost revenues for biotech companies through the middle of the decade. Over the next few years, the biotechnology industry will be hard pressed to meet demand for promising new therapeutics now emerging from the laboratories.

This panel discussion features decision makers from the biotechnology community along with leaders from North Carolina’s universities and community colleges. Attendees will learn about the explosion in the number of biotechnology products entering the market and the corresponding "scarcity" of manufacturing resources, as well as gain insight into North Carolina’s strategies to seize this economic opportunity.

Moderator:

• Paul Wood, Vice President, Business & Technology Development, North Carolina Biotechnology Center

Panelists:

• Bruce Kaylos, Managing Director, Wyeth Vaccines
• Roger J. Lias, Vice President, Business Development & Commercial Operations, KBI BioPharma, Inc.
• Hal Price, Director of Manufacturing Administration & Community Relations, Biogen Inc.

Session VII:  North Carolina's Contributions to Improving Global Health
This session will highlight North Carolina's contributions to global public health concerns. Areas of contribution include pharmaceuticals, vaccines, diagnostics, and agriculture. Panel speakers will also provide their vision of the future of biotechnology, with a reference point to North Carolina.

Moderator:

• Noah M. J. Pickus, Director, Institute for Emerging Issues

Panelists:

• Jim Bongiorno, Senior Manager, Ernst & Young LLP
• Nelson J. Chao, Director, Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Duke University Medical Center
• Roland Johnson, President and CEO, Piedmont Pharmaceuticals, LLC
• Mike Luther, Vice President, Discovery Research, GlaxoSmithKline

Session VIII:  The Future of Biotechnology: A Public Policy Perspective
Key legislative staff and industry group advocates will discuss current issues facing the biotechnology industry at the federal level, including such topics as drug pricing, health care funding, bioethics, and tax policy. Panelists will discuss ongoing North Carolina initiatives for bioprocessing, and worker training, and compare other states' programs for supporting the biotech industry; as well as assess the current long-term trends in the relationship between government and the biotechnology sector and the prospects for change.

Moderator:

• Jeff Lane, Federal Government Relations Group, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC

Panelists:

• Patrick Kelly, Vice President, State Government Relations, Biotechnology Industry Organization
• Sam Taylor, Executive Director, North Carolina Biosciences Organization