Carlsbad, USA, Zurich, Switzerland, and Milan, Italy, February 24, 2009: The BIO-Europe Spring® partnering conference taking place on March 16–18, 2009 at the Milano Convention Centre (MIC), Milan, Italy will host international biotech and pharma leaders for three days of partnering. In addition to conducting dozens of one-to-one partnering meetings, these industry executives will take part in 16 conference panels and workshops. With over 1,200 decision makers registered for the conference, and 1,500 expected to attend, these sessions are already tracking high attendance.

This year’s conference program includes business development sessions, therapeutic sessions, spotlight sessions and industry workshops, many of which will advise biotech companies on how to “stay in the game” during the economic downturn and emerge with a great deal.

Dr. James Manuso, President and CEO, SuperGen will sit on the “Biotech CEO/CFO Roundtable — Developing a Solid Business Strategy in a Turbulent Economy” at BIO-Europe Spring. He described the motivations of the panelists: “To say this is a difficult time for biotechs would be an understatement. Funding is limited and everyone is looking toward the same sources to stay afloat. In this session my colleagues and I will offer examples of how we have effectively managed to separate ourselves from the pack by generating or increasing revenues, decreasing costs, raising money, and M&A alternatives, for private and public companies.”

While the roundtable session will give emerging biotechs advice on how to make their company more appealing to potential partners, “The Shakeout — Surviving the Complexities of a Changing Market”, a panel featuring executives from Merck, J&J, Amgen and Shire Pharmaceuticals, will provide a realistic portrait of what biotechs can hope to obtain for their assets. Ben Bonifant, Vice President and Head of the Business Development Practice, Campbell Alliance elaborated: "In this current market environment, it's evident that some emerging and midsize companies will survive while others will not. Those companies with strong product profiles in desirable therapeutic areas are most likely to thrive. During our panel we'll discuss the conflicting market pressures that in-licensing companies are considering when evaluating the potential assets of smaller companies. I think many delegates will see that the market is more competitive and uncertain than ever before."

For those companies that manage their current resources well and succeed in finding a deal, “there is nothing more important to a company's continued financial viability than getting the terms of the deal right,” explained Diane Romza-Kutz, Chair, Life Sciences Practice Group, Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg, and moderator of the panel discussion “Negotiations for Successful Dealmaking”.

“Understanding more about negotiating specific terms to be written into the licensing or deal documents can make the end product, which dictates the party’s relationship going forward, a better agreement and therefore a better deal,” added Diane.

Conference Links:

http://www.ebdgroup.com/bes
http://www.ebdgroup.com/bes/ws_panels.htm

Notes to Editors:
Entry to BIO-Europe Spring 2009 is free to the media, including full access to the partnering system, sessions, press conferences and workshops. Visit the BIO-Europe Spring conference website at http://www.ebdgroup.com/bes/press_reg.htm for detailed information on this year's conference and online registration. When you register online, please indicate in the comment field 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 BIO-Europe Spring 2009
The BIO-Europe Spring® event brings together international decision makers from all sectors of the biotechnology industry, and features the successful combination of one-to-one meetings, company presentations, panel discussions and a lively exhibition.

Positioned as the springtime counterpart to EBD Group’s flagship conference, BIO-Europe, the BIO-Europe Spring event continues the tradition of providing life science companies with high caliber partnering opportunities. The event enables delegates to identify, meet and network with companies across the life science value chain from large biotech and pharma companies to financiers and innovative start-ups.

About EBD Group
EBD Group is the leading partnering firm for the global life science industry. Since 1993, biotech, pharma and medical device companies have leveraged EBD Group’s partnering conferences, technology and services to identify business opportunities and develop strategic relationships essential to their success.

EBD Group’s conferences are run with the support of leading corporations and international trade associations and include:

• BIO-Europe and BIO-Europe Spring®, the world's largest stand-alone life science partnering conferences, supported by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
• BioPharm America™, EBD Group’s North American partnering event
• EuroMedtech™, EBD Group’s new partnering event for the innovative medical technology industry
• BioEquity Europe, the investor conference co-organized with BioCentury Publications and BIO

EBD Group’s sophisticated web-based partnering service, partneringONE™, is used as the partnering engine at numerous third-party events around the world. Outside of the conference format, EBD Group’s consultants provide hands-on assistance for firms seeking to in- or out-license products and technologies. EBD Group has offices in the USA and Europe.

For more information please visit www.ebdgroup.com.

Contact:
Constantine Theodoropulos
EBD Group
+1 617 292 7319
ctheodoropulos@ebdgroup.com

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