CalBioSummit '95, fourth annual health tech conference, finds industry on upswing.

SAN DIEGO--(HealthWire)--Oct. 12, 1995--San Diego's fourth annual statewide biotechnology and medical device conference, CalBioSummit '95, is expected to reflect the current upbeat mood of the industry when the estimated 500-600 attendees meet at the Oct. 25 event at the Sheraton Grande Torrey Pines.

CalBioSummit '95 Chairman Duane Roth said, ``This conference has proven to be highly effective in the past for our industries.''

Roth, who is chairman, president and chief executive officer of Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp., added: ``In such rapidly evolving industries, it is essential for executives to keep up with a wide range of issues. The strength of our conference is that we have top industry, financial and government leaders covering all the major issues in a concentrated fashion.''

The theme of CalBioSummit '95, ``Healthcare Technology -- Tomorrow's Challenges and Opportunities,'' contrasts the continuing complex financial, regulatory and marketplace issues confronting the biotechnology and medical device industries with the progress bioscience companies have made in creatively dealing with current realities to improve their prospects.

Indeed, CalBioSummit '95 offers prominent business and government leaders' assessments of subjects that include the impact of the managed care healthcare delivery/financing system on biotech product development, marketing and acceptance; FDA regulatory direction and reform; capital formation challenges and opportunities; pending legislation; and the patenting of genetic information.

Of course, the industry cornerstone -- the promise of future technologies -- is addressed in several discussions.

``We make an effort to assure that CalBioSummit is timely and focuses on the significant issues impacting the healthcare technology industry,'' said Ann Randolph, managing director of BIOCOM/San Diego. ``This year, FDA reform legislation is imminent and managed care, capital formation and the issue of gene patenting are crucial to the health of the biocommerce industry.''

Among the confirmed speakers coming to CalBioSummit are Brook H. Byers, partner of Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers; Peter F. Drake, executive vice president of Vector Securities International; Tom Heyman, executive vice president of Johnson and Johnson; Carl B. Feldbaum, president of Biotechnology Industry Organization; James Benson, senior vice president of Health Industry Manufacturers Association; Henry Miller of Stanford University's Hoover Institution; and William Osheroff, medical director of PacifiCare of California.

In addition, a satellite-delivered dialog with a Washington, D.C., legislator is planned to discuss FDA and tax reform efforts.

To further advance CalBioSummit attendees' understanding of the bioscience industries and to give bioscience insiders a better chance to exchange ideas with their peers, a newly added feature for this year's program is the ``Meet the Companies'' exhibition at which senior management members of 50 or so biotech and medical device companies will showcase their technologies and product development plans.

Jim Schumacher, chairman, president and CEO of Biomagnetic Technologies and chair of the exhibition committee, said, ``Based on some initial positive comments about this approach, we are counting on this being an important addition to our previous CalBioSummits.''

The presenting sponsor of BIOCOM/San Diego's CalBioSummit is Advanced Bioresearch Associates, which has recently relocated its corporate headquarters from the Bay area to La Jolla, Calif., and also has offices in Washington, D.C.

Contributing sponsors include Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison; Brown Martin Haller & McClain; the city of Chula Vista; Cooley Godward Castro Huddleson & Tatum; Ernst & Young; Fisher Scientific; Genetronics Inc.; Imperial Bank; Johnson & Higgins; Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers; Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear; KPMG Peat Marwick; Marsh & McLennan Inc.; Pillsbury Madison & Sutro; Price Waterhouse LLP; San Diego Gas & Electric; Sequana Therapeutics Inc.; and VWR, which recently acquired Baxter Scientific.

Supporting sponsors include Clark, Richardson & Biskup; Cruttenden Roth; GTE Mobilnet; Johnson & Johnson Biotechnology Center; Morrison & Foerster; Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.; the San Diego Daily Transcript; Stroock & Stroock & Lavan; and The Wilkerson Group.

CONTACT: BIOCOM/San Diego

Ann Randolph, 619/455-0300