C21 BioVentures Creates Life Science Partnering Opportunities.

MONTEREY, Calif. -- This year's 8th Annual C21 BioVentures Conference (C21) will be held from May 23-25, 2006 in Monterey, California. Supported and designed by leading figures within the biotech industry and major financial institutions, C21 is the leading meeting place for global bio investors allowing an invaluable insight into future opportunities within this specialized sector. C21 brings together the world's leading life science business groups in one investment conference and provides the perfect platform to showcase innovative venture-stage life science companies to a range of potential investors and partners from the US, Europe and Asia. Fifty-four life science companies have been selected to offer a 14-minute podium presentation on their funding and partnering objectives. Current presenting slots for this year's C21 are now full, but if you would like to be put on a waiting list, you may still apply to present should a vacant slot become available.

To apply as presenter for your company at C21 BioVentures, please visit the conference website: http://www.techvision.com/c21/registration/presenter/apply/.

Dr. Roger Graham, VP of Corporate Development, Inimex Pharmaceuticals Inc., was a presenter at C21 in 2005 and is returning to present again this year. He remarked, "C21 is a 'must-attend' conference for biotechnology companies seeking to secure venture financing. The combination of formal and informal interactions provides a remarkably effective and efficient forum for building relationships with top tier west coast venture investors."

Highlights of this year's conference include Leadership sessions and Trends and Issues sessions moderated by leading executives and key decision makers in the life science and investment industries. Leadership sessions include:

--"The Buying Power of Cash: M&A Transactions to Accelerate the Pharma Product Pipeline" - chaired by Burrill & Company and featuring speakers from Alta Partners, Aquilo Partners, SV Life Sciences, Cowen & Company, and Aisling Capital

--"Pharma's Perspective on Venture Investing" - chaired by Sanderling Ventures, and featuring speakers from Johnson and Johnson, Amgen Ventures, Takeda Research Investment, Pfizer, Lilly, and Astellas Venture Management LLC 

--"VC Survivor: What it Takes to Stay in the Game" - chaired by Cooley Godward LLP and featuring speakers from and Skyline Ventures, SV Life Sciences, Alloy Ventures, and Venrock Associates

Trends and Issues sessions include topical discussions on many of the hottest trends and issues, including consolidation of the medical device industry and its impact on new ventures and venture returns, alternative liquidity options for US-based companies, the biotech IPO process, and reducing the costs of bringing drugs to market. Trends and Issues sessions include:

--"Consolidation of Medical Device Industry and Impact on New Ventures and Venture Returns" - chaired by Ferghana Partners Group and featuring speakers from Prism Venture Partners, Orthofix, and Prospect Venture Partners

--"Alternative Liquidity Options for US-based Companies" - chaired by Equity4Health and featuring speakers from Entelos, Inc., Paramount Biocapital Inc., Osborne Clarke, and Earlybird Venture Capital

--"The Biotech IPO Process: What It Takes to be Successful IPO and What it Takes to Survive Afterwards" - chaired by CIBC World Markets and featuring speakers from Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., SGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Threshold Pharmaceuticals, and CIBC Markets

--"Reducing the Cost of Bringing Drugs to Market: International Strategies" - chaired by SVB Silicon Valley Bank and featuring speakers from Chaksu Research, EGeen International, and Bridge Pharmaceuticals

--"Successful Strategies for Maximum ROI - Enhancing Value Throughout a Company's Life Cycle" - chaired by Comerica Bank and featuring speakers from Pappas Ventures, Montreux Equity Partners, RBC Capital Markets, and MDS Capital

--"Monetizing Life Science Tools Investments - How Corporate Deals Get Done in a Consolidating Industry" - chaired by Square 1 Bank and featuring speakers from Applied Biosystems, Versant Ventures, and Sequenom, Inc.

Matt Gardner, President of BayBio, a public-private partnership and forum organized to strengthen the competitiveness of northern California as the premier global location for bioscience research, education, and industry commented, "C21 is a touchstone event every year. It is more than an ideal setting to re-connect with colleagues and explore a rapidly growing set of opportunities. C21 takes place at a critical time of year for assessing progress - clinical, financial, and otherwise. The tone is set for the second half of the year."

For more information on registering for C21 BioVentures, please visit the conference website: http://www.techvision.com/c21/

Confirmed presenting companies:

Actimis Pharmaceuticals, Adnavance Technologies, Ambit Biosciences, Amcyte, Amkor Pharma, Inc., Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc., Aragen BioSciences, Astex Therapeutics Ltd., Athenagen, Avera Pharmaceuticals Inc., Avidia, Inc., BioSeek, Inc., Borean Pharma A/S, Clera Inc., Colby Pharmaceuticals, Cumbre Pharmaceuticals Inc., Cylene Pharmaceuticals Inc., DiObex, Evolva SA, F2G Limited, Genetix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., iCo Therapeutics Inc., immatics, Inimex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., KAI Pharmaceuticals Inc., Kemia, Inc., Kinexis, Inc., Lymphosign Inc., Nanospectra Biosciences, Nerites Corporation, Neugenesis Corporation, NeuroTherapeutics Pharma, Novasite Pharmaceuticals, Nura Inc., ODC Therapy, Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc., PIramed Ltd, Pivotal BioSciences Inc., PLx Pharma Inc., PolyMedix Inc., Prolexys Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Quintessence Biosciences, Rincon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Saegis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sapphire Therapeutics, Inc., SkinMedica, Inc., Taligen Therapeutics, Theregen, Inc., TransOral Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Trellis Bioscience, Inc., Twinstrand Therapeutics Inc., Viventia Biotech Inc., Xenome Ltd., XYTIS Inc.

Conference Sponsors

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, BayBio, Burrill & Company, CIBC World Markets, Comerica, Cooley Godward LLP, Deloitte, Earlybird, Ferghana Partners Group, Life Science Analytics, Inc., NVCA, Prism Venture Partners, Sanderling Venture Capital, Silicon Valley Bank, Solomon-Page Group, Square 1 Bank, SV Life Sciences, TVM Capital

Conference Supporters

BioCentury Publications, Business Wire, Citigate, Life Science Angels, Red Herring, Tenex Medical, Inc.