Zurich, Switzerland and Grenoble, France – April 24, 2012: EBD Group, the leading partnering firm for the life science industry, will host the fourth annual EuroMedtech™ international medtech partnering conference in Grenoble, France May 31–June 1, 2012 at the Convention Center of the WTC Grenoble.

"We are excited to hold EuroMedtech in Grenoble this year, as the city is home to a fast-growing life science industry," said Carola Schropp, President of EBD Group. "Our host organizations are committed to the life sciences. This is evident in ADEBAG's work for creation of Biopolis, a novel incubator for innovative start-up companies working in biotechnology, healthcare and telemedicine."

"As one of Roche Group's sales affiliates, Roche Diagnostics France is, within the Grenoble region, an important economic player, specifically in the healthcare sector. From this perspective, it is with great pleasure that I agreed on supporting this event," said Bertrand Le Bert, President of Roche Diagnostics France. "It is our way to make, and I should say increase, our contribution to all the initiatives promoting the economic, research and education potential on a regional scale."

EuroMedtech is Europe's leading medical technology partnering conference, providing collaboration opportunities to medtech decision makers and investors. EuroMedtech caters to companies involved in all parts of the advanced medical technology industry, from those serving mainline therapeutic categories such as orthopedics and neurology, through diagnostics, imaging and eHealth, to those involved in platform technologies such as biomaterials and augmented medicine. Also attending are companies serving the industry, such as manufacturers, law firms, CROs and distributors.

"Engaging in targeted partnerships to integrate novel diagnostic technologies is an integral part of our strategy to improve patient care," said Jean Deleforge, VP of Molecular Unit at bioMérieux. "We are very pleased that EuroMedtech has chosen Grenoble to bring together an exceptional array of innovators to foster tomorrow's healthcare solutions."

Featuring EBD Group's sophisticated, web-based partnering system, partneringONE^®, the event enables delegates to efficiently identify, meet and do business with attending companies, from large international medtech companies and just launched start-ups, to venture capitalists and private equity firms.

Grenoble is a key center of excellence and a thriving life science hub, and is the eleventh largest city in France with a population of 600,000. Grenoble also boasts the ninth largest university complex in France. The healthcare industry accounts for more than EUR 4.1 billion in turnover and over 8,500 jobs. The city also has over 200 public laboratories and four key international research equipment facilities. ADEBAG, the Grenoble Health Cluster, is a key player in the promotion of Grenoble's bioindustry sector and a co-host of EuroMedtech 2012.

"ADEBAG's role is the development and promotion of medtech, biotech, bio-industry and e-health innovative companies of Grenoble and the Isere region," said Cécile Real, President of ADEBAG. "Our sponsorship of EuroMedtech is based on our mutual goals to broker profitable partnerships within the advanced medical technology industry including cutting edge medical devices. Grenoble's Health Cluster is perfectly poised to provide the support network necessary to develop these new companies."

Also co-host of EuroMedtech 2012 is CCI Grenoble, the region's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which cited the scientific culture as the most telling example of the region's strength. In 2011, Grenoble had a total of 18 winning projects in the government-funded Equipex program (equipment for excellence) for academic institutions, which resulted in allocations of more than EUR 42 million out of a total of EUR 210 million. These equipment allocations have enabled Grenoble laboratories to continue the highest-level research using cutting-edge equipment. This investment has benefited the regional economy as well as the quest for innovation.

"Grenoble is an emerging hot-bed of life science innovation. EuroMedtech will give our local industry a platform to showcase its innovators to global industry leaders, and develop the collaborations that will accelerate the development of our companies and industry," said John Vaylet, president of CCI Grenoble.

ADEBAG and CCI Grenoble are pleased to bring together the following companies to be the EuroMedtech regional host committee: Roche Diagnostics, Becton Dickinson, bioMérieux, Cabinet Regimbeau, Minitubes, Trixell, AEPI, Banque Populaire des Alpes, LETI Health, Minalogic, UBIFRANCE, Conseil Général de l'Isère, Entreprise Europe Network, Grenoble Alpes Métropole, Région Rhône-Alpes and Ville de Grenoble.

Online registration for EuroMedtech 2012 will close on May 29, 2012 at 15:00 CET. Information can be found at www.ebdgroup.com/emt.

Additional links and information:
For more information about EuroMedtech 2012, go to www.ebdgroup.com/emt.

Follow EuroMedtech 2012 on Twitter: twitter.com/EuroMedtech (hashtag: #EMT12)

LinkedIn Event site: linkd.in/vCy2Db

partnering360: www.partnering360.com

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