Press Release
Contact: Robert Albright |
Phone: 919-549-7500 ext.123 |
Conference Celebrates N.C.'s Expanding Biotech Community
Biotech 2003 Pinpoints Growth, Potential of Biotechnology in the State
May 21, 2003, Research Triangle Park, NC - The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED), along with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the North Carolina Biosciences Organization (NCBIO) and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), hosted the 12th annual Biotech conference Wednesday with over 800 people participating in total. Held at the RTP's Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center, Biotech 2003: Fusing Science, Technology, and Business Leadership explained the state's role as a global player in life sciences and also offered insight into the future of biotechnology.
The conference included eight interactive panels discussing biotechnology trends such as DNA research, creative financing and international partnerships. During lunch, Durham-based Trimeris, a biotech company spun out of research at Duke University, was recognized for its anti-HIV drug FUZEON, which recently received FDA approval.
In addition, Biotech 2003 featured keynote remarks from industry and government leaders. Mary Tanner, senior managing director of the Investment Banking/Healthcare Group of Bear & Stearns Co., Inc, discussed biotech and pharmaceutical stock market trends. Steve Burrill, CEO and founder of San Francisco-based Burrill & Company, highlighted investment trends guiding future activity in biotechnology. North Carolina Governor Mike Easley, who commemorated the day's events by calling May 21 “Biotech Day,” spoke of the industry's importance to North Carolina's economic future. Easley said he would work to ensure funding for biomanufacturing job training programs in the state.
Helga Leftwich, a member of Hutchison & Mason PLLC and co-chair of Biotech 2003, said the conference showcased past, present and future achievements of the state's biotech community.
“Biotech 2003 celebrates the progress North Carolina has made, and will continue to make, in biotechnology. As seen by the crowd today, people's enthusiasm toward biotechnology continues,” Leftwich said. “With the strong infrastructure including universities, community colleges, biotech investors, well-respected corporations, and entrepreneurs, North Carolina's potential is tremendous.”
Monica Doss, CED's president, said North Carolina's collaborative and innovation-based climate makes the state an attractive place for biotechnology.
“The Triad's infrastructure is coming on very strong in terms of recent company investments and the N.C. Biotech Center's location of a new office,” Doss said. “In addition, Asheville has some interesting options in terms of building its biotech economy. From the mountains to coast, North Carolina continues to improve upon its strong biotech environment.”
About CED: The Council for Entrepreneurial Development, located in Research Triangle Park, NC, is a private, non-profit organization formed in 1984 to stimulate the creation and growth of high-impact companies in the greater Research Triangle region. CED provides education, mentoring and capital formation resources to new and existing high-growth entrepreneurs through annual conferences, seminars, workshops and monthly programs on entrepreneurial management and finance. CED is the largest entrepreneurial support organization in the nation with more than 4,000 members representing 1,100 entrepreneurial companies, financiers and professional firms. www.cednc.org
About the North Carolina Biotechnology Center: The North Carolina Biotechnology Center is a private, non-profit corporation funded primarily by the state's General Assembly. Its mission is to provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina by supporting biotechnology research, business and education statewide. www.ncbiotech.org
About the North Carolina Biosciences Organization: NCBIO is a trade organization promoting the development of the biosciences industry in North Carolina. NCBIO provides cost-effective, organized legislative and advocacy efforts on behalf of the industry at the state and federal levels.
About the Biotechnology Industry Organization: The Biotechnology represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. www.bio.org