2013 BIO International Convention Program to Highlight Hot Topics in the Biotech Industry

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 2013 BIO International Convention will feature a program of more than 800 speakers in over 125 sessions across 15 topic areas addressing the latest business opportunities and challenges as well as the newest innovations for executives, investors, scientists, and policy leaders. The Convention, celebrating its 20^th anniversary, will take place April 22-25, 2013 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill.

“Chicago is recognized for its cutting-edge architecture and world-class design which will serve as an appropriate backdrop for this year's 2013 BIO International Convention where a constructive blueprint for the future of the industry will be further advanced. On the cusp of new frontiers in biotech research and development, visionaries ranging from industry and academic veterans to those just starting to chart their path will find the program, exhibition and partnering meetings will provide an unparalleled set of tools to forge their ideas into products for the future benefit of patients and consumers," said John Flavin, BIO Program Committee Co-Chair, Managing Director, Flavin Ventures, LLC and Executive Director of Chicago Innovation Mentors.

The 2013 BIO International Convention program will feature three days of cutting-edge educational sessions, 60 and 75 minutes in length, as well as an increased number of advanced sessions. The 2013 program will hear from top thought leaders offering their insight on issues essential to the industry. These topic areas include: Achieving Regulatory Approval & Compliance; Biofuels & Biobased Chemicals; Biotech Patenting & Tech Transfer; Business Development; Drug Discovery & Development; Finance; Food & Agriculture; Innovations & Opportunities in Vaccines; International Spotlights & Policy Track; International Market Briefings Track; Manufacturing of Biologics & Drugs; and Market Access and Commercialization.

New this year, Monday’s program will feature the International Spotlights & Policies Track, a full day dedicated to highlighting and exploring the development strategies of the four BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) nations. The panels in this program are designed to identify and discuss specific initiatives within each country that are driving the pace of biotechnology innovation. To learn more about the BRIC special program visit here.

Additional Monday programming includes: BioTech Primer; Translational Research Forum; Biotechnology Entrepreneurship Boot Camp; Personalized Medicine & Diagnostics Forum; Breakout Sessions; and International Market Briefings.

Yet another exciting new addition to this year’s program includes the Alzheimer’s Forum, to be held Wednesday, April 24^th. The Forum will confront the issues and roadblocks to finding treatments and cures for this disease. Panel discussions during the Forum will focus on biosciences and future hope, regulatory considerations and challenges and the societal and economic impact of Alzheimer’s.

To learn more about the program and available registration packages for the Convention, please visit here.

Advance media registration is now available for qualified reporters working full time for print, broadcast and web publications with valid press credentials. To register, please visit here.

BIO performs many services for members, but none is more visible than the BIO International Convention. The Convention helps BIO fulfill its mission to help grow the global biotech industry. The event supports BIO’s ongoing programs and initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a policy environment that enables the industry to continue to fulfill its vision of bettering the world through biotech innovation.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtechNOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling “innovations transforming our world.” Subscribe to BIOtechNOW.

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO Asia International Conference
January 29 – 30, 2013
Tokyo, Japan

BIO CEO & Investor Conference
February 11 – 12, 2013
New York City, NY

BIO IPCC Conference
March 25 – 27, 2013
San Diego, CA

BIO International Convention
April 22 – 25, 2013
Chicago, IL

World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology
June 16 – 19, 2013
Montreal, Canada