Newswise — The biotechnology industry is ready to produce new jobs and revenue streams by using cutting-edge innovations already incubating in research and science parks worldwide. Academic and industry leaders will convene in Atlanta May 15 and 16 at BioParks 2009, to focus on new opportunities to grow this emerging sector and fuel the world's economic recovery.
The Association of University Research Parks BioParks 2009 conference is hosted by The University Financing Foundation. BioParks around the globe provide the key to the commercialization of new technologies and development of new companies.
The biotechnology industry is expected to rebound and outperform healthcare and the rest of the market this year, according to an investor perception report released in February 2009 by Thomson Reuters and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).
The keynote speaker at BioParks 2009 is James Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO, the world's largest biotechnological organization, who will speak on "The Future of Biotechnology." BIO represents more than 1,200 biotech companies, academic institutions, state biotech centers and related organizations across the nation and in 30 other countries. Corporate members range from start-up companies to Fortune 100 multi-nationals. Greenwood served as U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania from January 1993 until January 2005 and was a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
"The economic growth associated with research, science and tech parks is substantial," said Gregory Deason, president of AURP. "Through job creation and start-up company support, research, science and tech parks play a vital role in economic recovery by providing new products, services and ways of doing business."
Additional speakers include H. Jay Bellwoar, Managing Director, Merrill Lynch, Global Markets & Investment Banking, Kenneth C. Stewart, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development, William Dean, Director, Piedmont Triad Research Park and Chairman, North Carolina Research Parks Network, Kornelius Bankston from the Georgia Department of Economic Development; Dr. Eric Tomlinson, President and CEO of Altea Therapeutics Corporation, and Dr. Thomas H. Callaway, President of Life Science Partner, Inc.
These and other biotech leaders will address topics including:➢ Updates on funding programs➢ Perspectives from the biotechnology companies➢ Creating a state infrastructure for research➢ The marriage of life science and engineering
Conference sponsors include Wexford Science and Technology, Whiting-Turner and The University of Financing Foundation, Booz Allen Hamilton, University Wellness, Purdue Research Park and Site Selection Magazine. The BioPark 2009 conference will be held at Westin Peachtree Plaza at 210 Peachtree St. in downtown Atlanta. Pre-conference sessions will be held on Friday, May 15. BioParks 2009 begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 16. Discounts are available for registration before April 3. For detailed information, visit www.aurp.net.
BioParks traditionally precedes the annual BIO International Conference, which will be held this year May 18 through May 21 in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center. For information, visit www.bio.org.
About Association of University Research Parks (AURP)The mission of AURP is to promote the development and operation of research parks that foster innovation, commercialization and economic competitiveness in a global economy through collaboration among universities, industries and government. An international non-profit organization, AURP serves more than 350 members from around the world, with more than 400 research parks in varying stages of development.For more information, visit www.aurp.net.
About The University Financing Foundation (TUFF)TUFF is an independent non-profit organization created specifically to provide development and financing expertise and execution ability to institutions of education and research " primarily colleges and universities. Established in 1982, TUFF has evolved and is evolving into a cutting edge solution provider for real estate development on and around campuses across the country. For more information, visit www.tuff.org.
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