2007 BIO International Convention Set to Bring the World to Boston.

World's Largest Biotechnology Event Will Convene International Leaders, Highlight Global Biotech Advances and Showcase Benefits

WASHINGTON -- The world's leading event for biotechnology is gearing up for a return trip to Boston, Massachusetts. The 2007 BIO International Convention, sponsored by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) will take place May 6-9, 2007 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The global event for biotechnology will draw more than 20,000 industry attendees, as well as 300 public officials from more than 30 countries and will host more than 1,800 exhibiting companies for four days showcasing the biotechnology industry and its global impact. Furthermore, the BIO Business Forum, held May 7-9, 2007 is expected to host in excess of 10,000 partnering meetings during the event.

"We are thrilled to be returning to Boston, one of the cradles of biotechnology," stated Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO. "On our last visit to Boston in 2000, the BIO International Convention attracted just over 10,000 attendees. In the last seven years, the International Convention has experienced phenomenal growth, reflecting the continued expansion and underlying strength of the global biotechnology industry. While we have experienced dramatic growth, the quality of our attendance remains continually high, consisting of more than 70% upper management titles. This year's event promises to be our best ever with outstanding speakers, 'must attend' program sessions, partnering meetings and, of course, the latest advancements in all aspects of biotechnology."

This year's event, themed "New Ideas. Bold Ventures. Global Benefits," will feature a program packed with more than 200 sessions and speakers focusing on the global aspects of biotechnology, including business development, global health, clinical research/clinical trials, policy, bioethics, devices and diagnostics, biopreparedness, intellectual property/legal, food and agriculture, and industrial and environmental issues. International seminars will spotlight national-level developments from more than 30 countries and regions worldwide. To view the full conference program, please visit http://www.bio2007.org/Attendees/educational_sessions/index.html.

A 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall will showcase a record number of state, regional and international pavilions. The BIO Business Forum partnering sessions promise to be the most successful to date. Networking opportunities will abound at evening and special events.

The annual BIO Career Fair will be held Sunday, May 6, 2007 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Seaport World Trade Center, Boston. Free to job seekers, the BIO Career Fair will have more than 45 exhibiting companies, free seminars and job posting services.

The Innovation Corridor, sponsored by AstraZeneca and the Government of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, will provide a forum for the sharing of ideas, groundbreaking technology, and collaborations between industry professionals and academia. More than two dozen categories of biotech applications will be covered in the Corridor. For more information about the Innovation Corridor, please visit http://www.bio2007.org/Exhibitors/Innovation_Corridor.htm.

General registration for the BIO International Convention is now available at http://www.bio2007.org/Registration/index.html. Early-bird discounted registrations of more than 30 percent are available until March 23, 2007. For more information about the global event for biotechnology, including housing and program updates, please visit the event homepage at www.bio2007.org.

Advance media registration for the BIO International Convention is now available online. Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the news media. To register, please visit http://www.bio2007.org/Media/index.html. Reporters and editors working full-time for print or broadcast news organizations may register onsite with valid media credentials. All freelancers, college and online publications are strongly encouraged to register in advance by Friday, April 20, 2007.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

Upcoming BIO Events

--  2007 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
    March 21-24, 2007
    Orlando, FL

--  BIO International Convention
    May 6-9, 2007
    Boston, MA

--  BIO VentureForum-East 2007
    June 18-20, 2007
    Montreal, Canada

--  BIO Mid-America VentureForum 2007
    Sep. 24-26, 2007
    Milwaukee, WI