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Biotech Leaders to Confront Industry Issues at Milan Conference March 5-7, 2007

Topics at BIO-Europe Spring to include globalization, new financing models, scientific trends and M&A trends

Carlsbad, CA and Munich, Germany, February 20, 2007 – EBD Group today announced that on Monday, March 5, international biotechnology industry leaders will descend on Milan, Italy, for BIO-Europe Spring (March 5-7)  to discuss and analyze the market, new business approaches, scientific developments and policy trends that will shape the biotechnology of the future.

On Monday, March 5, at the Milano Conference Center, some of the most respected names in the industry will confront hot current issues.

Highlights of the day will include:

• Rethinking the Biotech-Pharma Partnering Model: Will the whole ever be worth more than the sum of its parts?  A plenary session exploring whether the current explosion of M&A deals is sustainable and how it will impact drug development. Will new drugs reach the marketplace sooner if smaller firms exit the process earlier and earlier? Moderated by Roger Longman, Managing Partner, Windhover Information, the plenary panel will feature Robert I. Blum, President & CEO, Cytokinetics, Inc.; Dr. Judith Hills, Corporate and Business Development, VP, Licensing, Europe, Japan & Asia Pacific, Bristol-Myers Squibb; Louis J. Scotti, VP, Marketing and Business Development, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Rob Wills, VP, Alliance Management, Johnson & Johnson.

• Financing Innovation - The View of Entrepreneurs and VCs. A panel considering whether traditional VC models will remain affordable and exploring new modes of financing biotechnology innovation.  With moderator Ian Nicholson, CEO, Chroma Therapeutics and panelists Joel Besse, Partner, Atlas Venture;  Dr. Francesco De Rubertis, Partner Life Sciences, Index Ventures Management;  Dr. Claudio Semeraro, CEO, Z-Cube, and Dr. Francesco Sinigaglia, CEO, BioXell

• The Globalizing of Biotech Dealmaking. A panel examining how biotech entrepreneurs are leveraging the cost and regulatory advantages that exist outside of Europe and the US,  for example what are the new types of transactions and alliances that can enhance access to capital, technology, markets, and drug development expertise on a global basis  With moderator Dr. Simba Gill, CEO, moksha8 and Venture Partner, Entrepreneur in Residence, TPG Growth and panelists Hans Peter Hasler, Senior VP, Head of International, Biogen Idec;  Gardiner Smith, Advisor, SHI Link; Dr. Greg Wiederrecht, VP, External Scientific Affairs, Merck & Co., Inc.

• The Combination of White and Red Biotechnologies. A discussion of achievements and developments in the exciting new field of “white” – or industrial biotech – expected to be a major source of new products, and its convergence with “red” – or medical biotech. With Martin Austin, Managing Director,TransformRX;  François Arcand, CEO, ERA Biotech; SA, Camille Burel, Industrial Biotech Project Administrator, EuropaBio;  James C. Greenwood, President & CEO, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO);  Jack Grushcow, President, Linnaeus Plant Sciences Inc.

Other workshops and panels featured on Monday, March 5, are:

• Biocatalysis – Biology Catalysing Chemistry – Does It Work?
• Financing Innovation - The View of Entrepreneurs and VCs
• Licensing and Strategic Alliances: How to Get Married and Avoid an Ugly Divorce
• A Different Perspective on Alliances:  Partnerships with Research Tools and Service Companies as a Mechanism to Build Value in Early Stage Biotechs
• Biotech to Biotech Deals - How does Big Pharma look at these Collaborations?
• The Globalization of Biotech Dealmaking  
• Size Isn’t Everything – Can Mid-Size Pharma Compete For The Best In-Licensing Opportunities?
• Bio-Drug Discovery – The Combination of White & Red Biotechnologies
• Cancer Therapeutic Session
• What is Next in the Antibody Space?
• Infectious Diseases
• CNS/Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Italy: A Platform for Successful Growth and Innovative Business
• Biotechnology in Italy 2007: A Financial and Strategic Analysis
• How to Close the Funding Gap
• Spotlight on Europe
  

A complete list of workshops, panels and abstracts can be accessed at: www.ebdgroup.com/bes/ws_panels.htm

Notes to Editors:
Entry to BIO-Europe Spring is free to the media, as is full access to the partnering system, sessions, press conferences, workshops, and pre-arranged partnering meetings. Visit the BIO-Europe Spring conference website at www.ebdgroup.com/bes/registration.htm for detailed information on this year’s conference and online registration. When you register online, please write into the comment field within the registration form that you are requesting a complimentary press registration. Please fax a copy of your press pass to complete your complimentary media registration to fax number +49 (89) 23 88 756 - 55.

About EBD Group
EBD Group is the leading partnering firm for the global biotechnology industry. Since 1993, firms in the life sciences have leveraged EBD Group’s partnering conferences, technology and services to identify business opportunities and develop strategic relationships that drive their business.
EBD Group’s conferences (run in collaboration with leading industry partners and international trade associations such as BIO and Eucomed) include BIO-Europe, the world’s largest stand-alone life science partnering conference; BIO-Europe Spring; the investor conference, BioEquity Europe (co-organized with BioCentury Publications); and the convergent medical technology partnering conference, BioDevice Partnering.  EBD’s novel, web-based, partnering software system is also used at numerous third-party events around the world. Outside of the conference format, EBD Group’s consultants can provide hands-on assistance for firms seeking to in- or out-license products and technologies.

EBD Group has offices in San Diego, Munich and London. For more information visit www.ebdgroup.com or www.bioeuropespring.com for conference related issues.

If you are interested in attending the conference, or require further information, please contact: