BIO President and CEO to Deliver State-of-the-Industry Address at 2009 BIO International Convention

Greenwood to Address Current Economic Climate, Public Policy Environment and Future of the Industry

2009 BIO International Convention

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced that Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO, will deliver a state-of-the-industry address at the 2009 BIO International Convention in Atlanta today at noon. Greenwood will provide insight on the current challenges facing the biotechnology market and talk about the promising future of the industry. Greenwood will deliver his industry address prior to Sir Elton John's keynote speech.

"The innovative spirit that lies at the heart and soul of every biotech company can and will provide solutions to diseases, hunger, pollution and global warming," said Greenwood. "I look forward to discussing how our industry can overcome the current industry challenges, embrace the opportunities and continue to help drive global innovation and growth."

According to Ernst & Young's 23rd annual report on the biotech industry, Beyond borders: Global biotechnology report 2009, the industry has fared better than Wall Street during these challenging times. Furthermore, in 2008, the U.S. biotech industry became profitable for the first time in history.

In addition, 70 percent of Wall Street investors who responded to a study by Thomson Reuters and BIO said they expect the biotechnology industry to rebound and outperform healthcare and the rest of the market this year.

Greenwood's address also will highlight some of the most pressing issues facing the industry, including biosimilars, health care reform and public misconceptions.

The BIO International Convention helps to support BIO programs and initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a policy environment that enables the industry to continue to fulfill its vision of bettering the world through biotechnology innovation. For more information on the global event for biotechnology, including program and housing information, please visit http://convention.bio.org.

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO Human Resources Conference
May 17-19, 2009
Atlanta, GA

2009 BIO International Convention
May 18-21, 2009
Atlanta, Ga.

BioEquity Europe
June 9-10, 2009
Munich, Germany

World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing
July 19-22, 2009
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.