Industry Leaders to Gather in Vienna for the 15th Annual BIO-Europe Partnering Conference
CARLSBAD, Calif., ZURICH and VIENNA – October 26, 2009: Biotech industry leaders will descend upon Vienna, Austria next week as BIO-Europe 2009 assembles for the 15thconsecutive year. The three-day event will welcome more than 2,500 attendees representing about 1,350 companies and will feature panels and workshops on effective partnering and development strategies in an uncertain economic landscape.
“In a changing market environment it is even more important to seek new opportunities for growth, and to focus on innovation to address unmet medical needs”
According to Arlene Morris, President and CEO of Affymax, biopharmaceutical companies face unique challenges in a protracted economic downturn. “If companies have less than two years of cash to support operations, they would be wise to take measures to conserve resources to support development of their programs with the greatest potential,” explains Morris, who will sit on BIO-Europe’s opening plenary panel titled “Rethinking the Drug Development Business Model.”
Besides proposing strategies for weathering the current economic slowdown, the panel will share its insights on the metamorphosis of the life science industry and the impact recent developments will have on corporate business strategies. "Flexible and creative partnering models will be a key success factor for pharma and biotech companies,” explains Hakan Bjorklund, CEO of Nycomed. “A balanced risk approach combined with realistic valuations will be essential to continue funding and fostering true scientific innovation.”
Other BIO-Europe panels will focus on funding early stage programs in difficult times, and changes in the industry that will affect the drug development business model.
Yet other industry experts maintain that there is opportunity in times of crisis: “In a changing market environment it is even more important to seek new opportunities for growth, and to focus on innovation to address unmet medical needs,” says Michael Yeomans, Senior VP Global Business Development and Licensing, Bayer Schering Pharma. “This goes hand in hand with continuously improving R&D processes to create true value for patients.” Yeomans will participate in a panel called “Looking for a Silver Lining: 2009 and Prospects for the Year Ahead,” along with Barbara Yanni of Merck & Co., Shelagh Wilson of GSK's European CEEDD and moderator Ben Bonifant of Campbell Alliance.
In addition, BIO-Europe will host its longest running panel “A Day in the Life of Experienced Dealmakers.” The session, which is in its 7th consecutive year, will include topics such as strategic partnering and M&A, generating non-traditional capital, the future of large company spin outs, project financing, out-licensing and divestments. James Watson, of Burrill & Company will moderate a panel that includes Doug Giordano, of Pfizer; Gino Santini, of Eli Lilly & Company; Heather Preston, of TPG Biotech; and Shaun Grady, of AstraZeneca.
About BIO-Europe
BIO-Europe is the preeminent stand-alone partnering event for the biotechnology industry. Delegates from all parts of the biotechnology value chain come to BIO-Europe to efficiently identify, engage and enter into the strategic relationships that drive their business successfully forward. The annual BIO-Europe partnering event draws over 2,500 industry attendees from almost 50 countries, representing more than 1,350 companies for three days of high level networking. BIO-Europe is organized by EBD Group with the support of the Biotechnology Industry Organization.
For more information please visit http://www.ebdgroup.com/bioeurope
Notes to Editors:
Entry to BIO-Europe 2009 is free to members of the press, including full access to the partnering system, sessions, press conferences, workshops, and pre-arranged partnering meetings. Visit the BIO-Europe conference website at http://www.ebdgroup.com/bioeurope for detailed information on this year’s conference and online registration. When you registeronline, please indicate in the comment field that you are requesting a complimentary press registration:
http://ebdgroup.com/bioeurope/press_reg.htm.
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®, Europe’s largest life science partnering conferences, supported by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
- BioPharm America™, the fastest growing partnering event in North America
- EuroMedtech™, EBD Group’s partnering event for the innovative medical technology industry
- BioEquity Europe, the investor conference co-organized with BioCentury Publications and BIO
- ChinaBio® Partnering Forum, the first dedicated biotech/pharma partnering conference in China, co-produced with ChinaBio® LLC
- Biotech Showcase™, a unique forum in San Francisco for presenting to investors and business development executives, co-produced with Demy-Colton Life Science Advisors
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 visit www.ebdgroup.com
Contacts:
Constantine Theodoropulos
EBD Group
+1 617 292 7319
ctheodoropulos@ebdgroup.com
