The 2011 Mid-Atlantic Bio Symposium will provide attendees with first hand access to critical business intelligence and networking opportunities with the leaders essential to growth in 2012.  Three key areas of the biotech industry will be addressed - Science, Policy and Business/Finance. These three high level panels will be presented to hundreds of representatives from biotech and device companies; research and academic institutions; private and public capital sources including private equity, venture, angel and biopharma investors; and government and embassy officials throughout the national capital region.  

Business/Finance Panel: 
Financing Drug Development in Today’s Environment: New Challenges and Opportunities  
Moderator: Amir Nashat, General Partner, Polaris Venture Partners

 Public Policy Panel:
The Regulatory Landscape in 2012: How will Washington affect the Bioscience Industry next year and beyond?
Moderator:  Sara Radcliffe, Executive Vice President Health, Biotechnology Industry  Organization (BIO)

 Scientific Panel:
How Deep Genetic Information is Transforming Biomedicine and Biobusiness
Moderator: Brian A. Pollok, Ph.D., President, ATCC

Now in its seventh year, the 2011 Mid-Atlantic Bio is on track to bring you the same quality programming that you have come to expect, but condensed into a ½ day program.

By registering, you will have access to:

• Sessions that feature thought leaders in the industry
• Topical panels with industry experts that provide you with valuable insights
• Great networking opportunities including an evening reception

The 2010 Mid-Atlantic Bio today completed another successful conference hosting more than 700 registrants from 22 states and 4 countries, with more than 400 companies and 50 qualified investors participating. Dedicated to promoting the biotechnology industry in the Mid-Atlantic region, the conference is hosted collectively by the region’s most influential bioscience and investor associations, the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), the Tech Council of Maryland/MdBio (MdBio) and the Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO).

The final day of the conference featured a joint plenary with the leaders of the Pharmaceutical
Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). During this plenary session, John Castellani, president and CEO of PhRMA, and James Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO discussed the challenges posed by the disconnect in public understanding of the impact of the bioscience industry from a policy standpoint. Castellani stressed the urgency of addressing these issues by citing a recent public survey which indicated that the cost of treating Alzheimer’s in America would reach a trillion dollars by 2015. He also noted another national survey in which 57% of Americans rated IT as being more important than bioscience which was one indicator of the importance of education about the industry.
The event came to a close with a packed plenary session featuring John F. Crowley, chairman and CEO of Amicus Therapeutics. He shared his amazing story about the development of a treatment for Pompe disease after two of his children were diagnosed with the fatal neuromuscular disorder. The Crowley family’s journey to save their children is the inspiration for the 2010 major motion picture, “Extraordinary Measures”, starring Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser. Crowley spoke on the heels of an announcement made earlier today that GlaxoSmithKline and Amicus Therapeutics entered an exclusive worldwide agreement to develop and commercialize Amigal™ for Fabry Disease, resulting in $170 m in potential milestone payments.

This year’s conference also featured individuals from 26 companies who were selected to present in the Showcase track, Emerging Growth track and a newly added First Look/Fast Pitch track. The companies chosen specialize in medical devices, health care IT, diagnostics, drug development, pharmaceuticals, biotherapeutics, biopharmaceuticals, therapeutics and gene therapeutics.

“This year’s conference was a particularly impactful event given the many luminary speakers, the strong connections that were made, and business that was conducted,” says Julia Spicer, executive director of the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA). “This event was a great kick-off in preparation for the region hosting the 2011 BIO International Convention next year.”

“Given the challenging economic climate the past few years, we’re fortunate to have such a strong turnout for our event yet again this year. We were pleased to bring the community together in the Mid-Atlantic region and are also extremely thankful to our sponsors and exhibitors for their strong support of our event,” said Richard A. Zakour, PhD, executive director of The Tech Council of Maryland/MdBio.

ABOUT MID-ATLANTIC BIO
The Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, scheduled October 27-29, 2010, in Bethesda, Maryland, is co-hosted by the Tech Council of Maryland/MdBio (TCM/MdBio), the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), and the Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO). Mid-Atlantic Bio benefits from broad regional support from the investor and greater business communities, academic institutions, government agencies, and partnering regional associations. For more information, or to register or sponsor, please visit www.midatlanticbio.org.

2010 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference Hosted a Stellar Lineup of Industry Luminary Speakers Press Release (Full .pdf version)

The 2010 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference debuted Wednesday with an opening reception during which National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, was honored with the Mid-Atlantic Bio Lifetime Achievement Award for his accomplishments in biomedical research and human services and his movement to increase translational work at NIH.

Taking place this week at the North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Md., the seventh annual Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference has attracted nearly 700 national and international industry leaders, government representatives, executives, researchers, investors and entrepreneurs. The conference is the epicenter of bioscience, capital, and policy that is hosted collectively by the region’s most influential bioscience and investor associations, the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), the Tech Council of Maryland/MdBio (MdBio) and the Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO). Mid-Atlantic Bio is the only globally focused, regionally based event dedicated to promoting the biotechnology industry in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Thursday’s program included several panel sessions and presentations by selected companies in the Emerging Growth and First Look/Fast Pitch tracks. The morning plenary session featured Joshua Sharfstein, MD, principal deputy commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; and Fred Frank, vice chairman of the Peter J. Solomon Co.; while the afternoon plenary featured Martine Rothblatt, PhD, J.D., MBA, chairman and CEO of United Therapeutics Corp.; and H. Thomas Watkins, president and CEO of Human Genome Sciences.

During his plenary session, Dr. Sharfstein discussed the future direction of the FDA. He spoke to the balance of safety vs. risk and how they must consider the benefits to public health and be prepared to take some risks. He also reviewed their new FDA-TRACK performance management system that monitors over 100 FDA program offices and tracks key performance measure, which fosters a culture of accountability and performance throughout the agency. In the same panel session, Fred Frank also spoke of the balance of safety vs. risk saying that with the turn to safety, approval timelines are extended, costs of developing drugs increases and approvals may be flat and costs will continue to increase.

“We have a powerhouse program this year and today’s schedule features the much anticipated joint plenary with John Castellani of PhRMA and James Greenwood of BIO with our final plenary featuring John Crowley of Amicus Therapeutics,” said Virginia Biotechnology Association executive director Mark Herzog. “With our strong plenary speaker line-up featuring the leaders of BIO and PhRMA, the FDA and NIH, it allows our attendees insight and access in the industry unlike any other regional event.”

ABOUT MID-ATLANTIC BIO
The Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, scheduled October 27-29, 2010, in Bethesda, Maryland, is co-hosted by the Tech Council of Maryland/MdBio (TCM/MdBio), the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), and the Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO). Mid-Atlantic Bio benefits from broad regional support from the investor and greater business communities, academic institutions, government agencies, and partnering regional associations. For more information, or to register or sponsor, please visit www.midatlanticbio.org.

Mid-Atlantic Bio Honors NIH’s Francis Collins at Seventh Annual Conference Press Release (Full .pdf version)

Mid-Atlantic Bio today announced a much anticipated line-up of companies selected to present at their upcoming 2010 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, being held October 27-29 at the North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Md. Dedicated to promoting the biotechnology industry in the Mid-Atlantic region, the conference is hosted collectively by the region’s most influential bioscience and investor associations, the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), the Tech Council of Maryland/MdBio (MdBio) and the Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO).

Each year at Mid-Atlantic Bio, a limited number of life science companies are chosen to present before a sought-after audience that includes a variety of capital sources, from corporate business development professionals to venture capitalists, angel investors, and various other qualified financing sources along with important industry professionals, peer scientists, company leaders and potential strategic partners. Over the past seven years, more than 1,200 companies have participated in Mid-Atlantic Bio, with more than 100 of those as presenters on the program, resulting in hundreds of millions in private financings and corporate investments, M&A activities, strategic partnerships and industry collaborations.

This year’s conference features three tracks that will highlight the company presenters that were chosen including the Showcase track, Emerging Growth track and a newly added First Look/Fast Pitch track. The companies chosen specialize in medical devices, health care IT, diagnostics, drug development, pharmaceuticals, biotherapeutics, biopharmaceuticals, therapeutics and gene therapeutics.

“Hearing the scientific advances and business cases directly from some of the leading seasoned and newly formed enterprises adds richness to this conference that is extremely powerful,” says Julia Spicer, Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA). “Showcasing companies at various stages of development encourages future innovation as well as connections that foster investment opportunities, collaboration and partnering and the sharing of best practices – all at the core of Mid-Atlantic Bio.”

To be selected for a speaking spot at the conference, companies went through a multi-phase application review and competitive selection process. Numerous companies applied and were judged against such criteria as scientific interest, technology innovation, stage of development, addressable market, or recent enterprise advances and milestones achieved.

The following companies were chosen to present within each track:

Showcase:
• Argos Therapeutics of Durham, NC
• Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of Bethesda, MD
• Supernus Pharmaceuticals of Rockville, MD
• TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals of Malvern, PA
• Zyngenia of Gaithersburg, MD

Emerging Growth:
• AFrame Digital of Reston, VA
• Ceres Nanosciences of Manassas, VA
• CSA Medical of Baltimore, MD
• Envisionier Medical Technologies, Inc. of Woodstock, GA
• Functional Genetics of Gaithersburg, MD
• NexGen Medical Systems, Inc. of Melbourne, FL
• Noxilizer of Baltimore, MD
• Plasmonix, Inc. of Baltimore, MD
• Sequella Inc. of Rockville, MD
• Sirnaomics, Inc. of Gaithersburg, MD
• TAU Therapeutics of Charlottesville, VA

First Look/Fast Pitch:
• Altammune, Inc. of Baltimore, MD
• Audiodontics of Bethesda, MD
• Creatv MicroTech, Inc. of Potomac, MD
• CW Optics, Inc. of Seaford, VA
• EncephRx of Baltimore, MD
• RAFAGEN, Inc. of Rockville, MD
• Seguro Surgical of Columbia, MD
• Seneb Biosciences of Doylestown, PA
• Techulon of Blacksburg, VA

Amita Shukla, Principal of New Enterprise Associates and member of the 2010 Selection Committee, notes that “The Selection Committee, with input from a qualified cross-section of industry and investor sources, is pleased to present a line-up of multi-staged companies this year, each with a unique opportunity to explore.”

Now in its seventh year, Mid-Atlantic Bio is the only globally-focused, yet regionally-based, event to combine components of a bioscience industry convention with an investor conference under one roof. More than 800 national and international industry leaders, government representatives, executives, researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, and professional services firms will gather to promote networking, business expansion, and technical-knowledge sharing. Home to industry-critical regulatory and research agencies; federal policymaking; and business and scientific centers of excellence, the Mid-Atlantic is a unique center for the global bioscience industry.

Conference Sessions:
Designed to be a platform that brings together science, company builders, commercial interests and collaborators, capital sources, and federal and regulatory thought-leaders, the 2010 program includes a variety of important industry topics—ranging from the latest in policy and regulatory matters, business and financing opportunities, and CEO War Stories to advances in science and technology—and showcases exciting companies from the biosciences field. A few of the highlighted sessions include:
• Building a Workforce Culture Around Commercialization
• Corporate Venture and Early Stage Partnerships
• Regulation and Reimbursement in a World of Changing Policies, Laws and Procedures
• New Science Technologies: Regional Successes
• An Insider’s View on Washington
• Synthetic Biology – Applications and Implications
• Accessing the Regulatory Risk: Your Path to Approval
• CEO War Stories: A Roundtable
• Plenary presentations by John Castellani, President and CEO of PhRMA, John F. Crowley, JD, MBA, Chairman and CEO of Amicus Therapeutics; Frederick Frank, Vice Chairman, Peter J. Solomon Company; James Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO; Martine A. Rothblatt, PhD, JD, MBA, Chairman and CEO of United Therapeutics Corporation; Joshua M. Sharfstein, MD, Principal Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; and H. Thomas Watkins, President and CEO, Human Genome Sciences

BioMatch:
Mid-Atlantic Bio’s signature networking program, BioMatch, is designed specifically for the life sciences and biotech industries, and provides registered attendees access to advanced partnering software that facilitates personalized, one-on-one meetings between the leading bioscience organizations and industry leaders.

Partial List of Conference Sponsors:
Human Genome Sciences, Maryland Biotechnology Center, MedImmune, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Cooley LLP, Grand Thornton LLP, Hogan Lovells, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, BioMed Realty Trust, Inc., BDO, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., Janelia Farms Research Campus of Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NIH Federal Credit Union, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, Broad Oak Partners, H.I.G. BioVentures, CIT Gap Funds, Intersouth Partners, New Enterprises Associates, Oxford Finance, TEDCO, Third Security, LLC. See the complete listing of sponsors.

ABOUT MID-ATLANTIC BIO
The Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, scheduled October 27-29, 2010, in Bethesda, Maryland, is co-hosted by the Tech Council of Maryland/MdBio (TCM/MdBio), the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), and the Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO). Mid-Atlantic Bio benefits from broad regional support from the investor and greater business communities, academic institutions, government agencies, and partnering regional associations. For more information, or to register or sponsor, please visit www.midatlanticbio.org.

# # #

Company Presenters Announced Press Release (Full .pdf version)

For the first time, the Bioscience Association of West Virginia (BioWV) and Women In Bio (WIB) will partner with Mid-Atlantic Bio for the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference
taking place October 27-29 at the North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Md.

As 2010 strategic partners, BioWV and WIB will join event hosts the Tech Council of Maryland/MdBio (TCM/MdBio), the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), and the Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO) to create an even stronger platform for the combined communities of their industry constituents to come together at this year’s conference. Both BioWVA and WIB serve different segments of the expanding biotechnology industry, each important in the industry ecosystem. It is anticipated that both organizations will have strong representation from their respective membership groups at this year’s conference.

The Bioscience Association of West Virginia (BioWV) is that state’s official bioscience organization and is a part of the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA). It serves West Virginia biotech companies with education and helps to increase public awareness of the biotechnology industry in the state.

Women in Bio (WIB) is a national organization dedicated to encouraging entrepreneurship and furthering the career development of women active in the life science industry. WIB is expanding nationally but has its
roots in the Maryland/DC/Virginia corridor.

“We are thrilled to continue building strong alliances with these organizations,” said Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA) Executive Director Julia Spicer. “We can’t think of two more fitting state and
national partners to welcome to this event, as each share the same deep commitment to bringing some of the best possible resources to their respective industry members and constituents.”

Now in its seventh year, Mid-Atlantic Bio is the only globally-focused, yet regionally-based, event to combine components of a bioscience industry convention with an investor conference under one roof. More
than 800 national and international industry leaders, government representatives, executives, researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, and professional services firms will gather to promote networking, business
expansion, and technical-knowledge sharing. Home to industry-critical regulatory and research agencies; federal policymaking; and business and scientific centers of excellence, the Mid-Atlantic is a unique center for
the global bioscience industry.

Unparalleled Plenary Speakers

The conference brings some of the world’s most noted scientists and executives together all under one roof to provide important access for conference attendees to global thought-leaders. This year’s event offers
a top tier line-up of plenary speakers, unique to this event, including:

• John Castellani, President and CEO, PhRMA
• John F. Crowley, JD, MBA, Chairman and CEO, Amicus Therapeutics
• Frederick Frank, Vice Chairman, Peter J. Solomon Company
• James Greenwood, President and CEO, BIO
• Martine A. Rothblatt, PhD, JD, MBA, Chairman and CEO of United
  Therapeutics Corporation
• Joshua M. Sharfstein, MD, Principal Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Food
  and Drug Administration
• H. Thomas Watkins, President and CEO, Human Genome Sciences

Valued Timely and Topical Conference Sessions:
Designed as a platform that brings together science, company builders, commercial interests and collaborators, capital sources, and federal and regulatory thought-leaders, the
2010 program
includes a variety of important industry topics—ranging from the latest in policy and regulatory matters, business and financing opportunities, and CEO War Stories to advances in science and technology—and showcases exciting companies from the biosciences field. A few of the highlighted sessions include:

• Building a Workforce Culture Around Commercialization
• Corporate Venture and Early Stage Partnerships
• New Science Technologies: Regional Successes
• Drugs and Devices: Reimbursement in a Post-Healthcare Reform World
• Capital Eco-Systems: Formation and International Markets
• An Insider’s View on Washington
• Synthetic Biology – Applications and Implications
• Accessing the Regulatory Risk: Your Path to Approval
• CEO War Stories: A Roundtable

Attendees Get a Close Look at the Latest Companies to Watch
Each year at Mid-Atlantic Bio, a select group of life science companies are chosen to present their respective stories before conference attendees, which include an audience of capital sources, including
corporate business development professionals, peer scientists and company leaders, venture capitalists, angel investors, and various other qualified financing sources along with important industry
professionals and potential strategic partners.

BioMatch:
Mid-Atlantic Bio’s signature networking program, BioMatch, is designed specifically for the life sciences and biotech industries, and provides registered attendees access to advanced partnering software that
facilitates personalized, one-on-one meetings between the leading bioscience organizations and industry leaders.

Partial List of Conference Sponsors:
MD Biotechnology Center, MedImmune, Biotechnology Industry Organization, BioMed Realty Trust, Inc., BDO, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., Janelia Farms Research Campus of Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NIH
Federal Credit Union, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, Broad Oak Partners, H.I.G. BioVentures, CIT Gap Funds, Intersouth Partners, New Enterprises Associates, Oxford Finance,
TEDCO, Third Security, LLC

ABOUT MID-ATLANTIC BIO
The Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, scheduled October 27-29, 2010, in Bethesda, Maryland, is co-hosted by the Tech Council of Maryland/MdBio (TCM/MdBio), the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), and the
Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO). Mid-Atlantic Bio benefits from broad regional support from the investor and greater business communities, academic institutions, government agencies, and partnering
regional associations. For more information, or to register or sponsor, please visit
www.midatlanticbio.org.

# # #

Mid-Atlantic Bio Welcomes Bio West Virginia and Women In Bio Press Release (Full .pdf version)

Mid-Atlantic Bio today announced that John J. Castellani, the new President and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and James Greenwood, the President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) will share the stage and address attendees in a joint plenary session at 2010 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, on October 29 at the North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Md.

As president and CEO of PhRMA, Castellani leads the association’s mission of effectively advocating for public policies that foster the discovery of life-saving and life-enhancing new medicines for patients by America’s biopharmaceutical companies. PhRMA represents the country’s leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology research companies, which are devoted to developing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier and more productive lives.

James Greenwood leads the advocacy efforts for BIO in shaping public policy on a variety of fronts critical to the success of the biotechnology industry at the state and national levels as well as internationally. BIO has more than 1,100 members that are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products across the United States and in more than 30 other nations.

“We are very privileged to have both the BIO and PhRMA leaders join us at our event and address the attendees,” said Virginia Biotechnology Association Executive Director, Mark A. Herzog. “With these organizations representing the nation’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotech companies, it is important to have such strong advocates for our industry speaking at the event. With adding these two leaders to our plenary session line-up, we truly have a program that is unrivaled and demonstrates the Mid-Atlantic region’s access and power in this industry.”

Castellani and Greenwood join the already impressive list of plenary speakers for Mid-Atlantic Bio, including John F. Crowley, JD, MBA, Chairman and CEO, Amicus Therapeutics; Frederick Frank, Vice Chairman, Peter J. Solomon Company; Martine A. Rothblatt, PhD, JD, MBA, Chairman and CEO of United Therapeutics Corporation; Joshua M. Sharfstein, M.D., Principal Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and H. Thomas Watkins, President and CEO, Human Genome Sciences.

Now in its sixth year, Mid-Atlantic Bio is the only globally-focused, yet regionally-based, event to combine components of a bioscience industry convention with an investor conference under one roof. More than 800 national and international industry leaders, government representatives, executives, industry and academic researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, and professional services firms will gather to promote networking, business expansion, and technical-knowledge sharing. Home to industry-critical regulatory and research agencies; federal policymaking; and business and scientific centers of excellence, the Mid-Atlantic is a unique center for the global bioscience industry.

Conference Sessions:
Designed to be a platform that brings together science, company builders, commercial interests
and collaborators, capital sources, and federal and regulatory thought-leaders, the 2010 program includes a variety of important industry topics—ranging from the latest in policy and regulatory matters, business and financing opportunities, and CEO War Stories to advances in science and technology—and showcases exciting companies from the biosciences field. A few of the highlighted sessions include:

• Building a Workforce Culture Around Commercialization
• Corporate Venture and Early Stage Partnerships
• New Science Technologies: Regional Successes
• Drugs and Devices: Reimbursement in a Post-Healthcare Reform World
• Capital Eco-Systems: Formation and International Markets
• An Insider’s View on Washington
• Synthetic Biology – Applications and Implications
• Accessing the Regulatory Risk: Your Path to Approval
• CEO War Stories: A Roundtable

Company Presentations:
Each year at Mid-Atlantic Bio, a number of life science companies are chosen to present before an audience of capital sources, including corporate business development professionals, peer scientists and company leaders, venture capitalists, angel investors, and various other qualified financing sources along with important industry professionals and potential strategic partners.

BioMatch:
Mid-Atlantic Bio’s signature networking program, BioMatch is designed specifically for the life sciences and biotech industries, and provides registered attendees access to advanced partnering software that facilitates personalized, one-on-one meetings between the leading bioscience organizations and industry leaders.

Partial List of Conference Sponsors:
MD Biotechnology Center, MedImmune, Biotechnology Industry Organization, BioMed Realty Trust, Inc., BDO, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., Janelia Farms Research Campus of Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NIH Federal Credit Union, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, Broad Oak Partners, H.I.G. BioVentures, CIT Gap Funds, Intersouth Partners, New Enterprises Associates, Oxford Finance, TEDCO, Third Security, LLC

ABOUT MID-ATLANTIC BIO
The Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, scheduled October 27-29, 2010, in Bethesda, Maryland, is co-hosted by the Tech Council of Maryland (TCM),  the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), and the Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO). Mid-Atlantic Bio benefits from broad regional support from the investor and greater business communities, academic institutions, government agencies, and partnering regional associations. For more information, or to register or sponsor, please visit www.midatlanticbio.org.

PhRMA-BIO Press Release  (Full .pdf version)

Francis Collins, Ph.D., M.D., Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will be recognized for his lifetime achievements in biomedical research and human services at the upcoming 2010 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, held October 27-29 at the North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Md.

Born and educated in Virginia and famous for his work as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at the NIH in Maryland, Dr. Collins is renowned as one of the leading physician-scientists in the world. Due to his vast scientific achievements and deep roots in the region, Mid-Atlantic Bio is recognizing his career with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award during the opening reception of the Conference to be held at NIH on October 27.

“The establishment and funding of an additional nine Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) this year exemplifies his commitment to advancing scientific collaboration as a means to improve human health and wellbeing,” said Virginia Biotechnology Association Executive Director, Mark A. Herzog. “We are pleased to have Dr. Collins be a part of our event and honor him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Now in its sixth year, Mid-Atlantic Bio is the only globally-focused, yet regionally-based, event to combine components of a bioscience industry convention with an investor conference under one roof. More than 800 national and international industry leaders, government representatives, executives, industry and academic researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, and professional services firms will gather to promote networking, business expansion, and technical-knowledge sharing. Home to industry-critical regulatory and research agencies; federal policymaking; and business and scientific centers of excellence, the Mid-Atlantic is a unique center for the global bioscience industry.

Conference Sessions:
Designed to be a platform that brings together science, company builders, commercial interests
and collaborators, capital sources, and federal and regulatory thought-leaders, the 2010 program includes a variety of important industry topics—ranging from the latest in policy and regulatory matters, business and financing opportunities, and CEO War Stories to advances in science and technology—and showcases exciting companies from the biosciences field. A few of the highlighted sessions include:

• Building a Workforce Culture Around Commercialization
• Corporate Venture and Early Stage Partnerships
• New Science Technologies: Regional Successes
• Drugs and Devices: Reimbursement in a Post-Healthcare Reform World
• Capital Eco-Systems: Formation and International Markets
• An Insider’s View on Washington
• Synthetic Biology – Applications and Implications
• Accessing the Regulatory Risk: Your Path to Approval
• CEO War Stories: A Roundtable
• Plenary presentations by John Castellani, President and CEO of PhRMA, James Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO, John F. Crowley, JD, MBA, Chairman and CEO of Amicus Therapeutics; Frederick Frank, Vice Chairman, Peter J. Solomon Company; Martine A. Rothblatt, PhD, JD, MBA, Chairman and CEO of United Therapeutics Corporation; Joshua M. Sharfstein, MD, Principal Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; and H. Thomas Watkins, President and CEO, Human Genome Sciences

Company Presentations:
Each year at Mid-Atlantic Bio, a number of life science companies are chosen to present before an audience of capital sources, including corporate business development professionals, peer scientists and company leaders, venture capitalists, angel investors, and various other qualified financing sources along with important industry professionals and potential strategic partners.

BioMatch:
Mid-Atlantic Bio’s signature networking program, BioMatch is designed specifically for the life sciences and biotech industries, and provides registered attendees access to advanced partnering software that facilitates personalized, one-on-one meetings between the leading bioscience organizations and industry leaders.

Partial List of Conference Sponsors:
Cooley LLP, Hogan Lovells US LLP, Grant Thornton LLP, MedImmune, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, E&Y, BioMed Realty Trust, Inc., Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., Janelia Farms Research Campus of Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NIH Federal Credit Union, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, Deloitte & Touche LLP, H.I.G. BioVentures, Intersouth Partners, New Enterprises Associates, Oxford Finance, TEDCO, Third Security, LLC

ABOUT MID-ATLANTIC BIO
The Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, scheduled October 27-29, 2010, in Bethesda, Maryland, is co-hosted by the Tech Council of Maryland (TCM),  the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), and the Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO). Mid-Atlantic Bio benefits from broad regional support from the investor and greater business communities, academic institutions, government agencies, and partnering regional associations. For more information, or to register or sponsor, please visit www.midatlanticbio.org.

Collins_Press_Release (Full .pdf version)

WASHINGTON (September 14, 2010)—Biotechnology entrepreneur John F. Crowley, a man whose astonishing personal quest developed a treatment for Pompe disease, which inspired the Harrison Ford film Extraordinary Measures, will address the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference on October 29 at the North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Md.

In 1998, two of Crowley’s children were diagnosed with a fatal neuromuscular disorder called Pompe disease. Crowley worked at Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he served in a number of senior management positions. Frustrated with the slow place of research on Pompe disease, Crowley left Bristol-Myers Squibb in March 2000 and took over as CEO of Novazyme, a biotechnology start-up company based in Oklahoma City that was conducting research on a new experimental treatment for the disease. In 2001, Novazyme merged into Genzyme Corporation, one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies.

In January 2003, Crowley’s two children received the enzyme replacement therapy for Pompe disease developed by Genzyme. John Crowley credits the experimental trial with saving his children’s lives.

Crowley went on to become President and CEO of Orexigen Therapeutics, and he is currently the Chairman and CEO of Amicus Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on the development of novel treatments for human genetic diseases of neurodegeneration, including cystic fibrosis.

“His success story is not only of a parent who was able to find treatment for his children, but also of a savvy businessman who continues to excel in the global bioscience industry,” said Virginia Biotechnology Association Executive Director Mark A. Herzog. “As an event that shapes the landscape for many bioscience companies and their champions, Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference attendees will benefit from learning more about the business strategies Mr. Crowley has applied to his biotechnology companies and leverage similar practices to companies in our region.”

Now in its sixth year, Mid-Atlantic Bio is the only globally-focused, yet regionally-based, event to combine components of a bioscience industry convention with an investor conference under one roof. More than 800 national and international industry leaders, government representatives, executives, researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, and professional services firms will gather to promote networking, business expansion, and technical-knowledge sharing. Home to industry-critical regulatory and research agencies; federal policymaking; and business and scientific centers of excellence, the Mid-Atlantic is a unique center for the global bioscience industry.

Conference Sessions:
Designed to be a platform that brings together science, company builders, commercial interests and collaborators, capital sources, and federal and regulatory thought-leaders, the 2010 program includes a variety of important industry topics—ranging from the latest in policy and regulatory matters, business and financing opportunities, and CEO War Stories to advances in science and technology—and showcases exciting companies from the biosciences field. A few of the highlighted sessions include:
• Building a Workforce Culture Around Commercialization
• Corporate Venture and Early Stage Partnerships
• New Science Technologies: Regional Successes
• Drugs and Devices: Reimbursement in a Post-Healthcare Reform World
• Capital Eco-Systems: Formation and International Markets
• An Insider’s View on Washington
• Synthetic Biology – Applications and Implications
• Accessing the Regulatory Risk: Your Path to Approval
• CEO War Stories: A Roundtable
• Plenary presentations by Frederick Frank, Vice Chairman, Peter J. Solomon Company; Martine A. Rothblatt, PhD, JD, MBA, Chairman and CEO of United Therapeutics Corporation; Joshua M. Sharfstein, MD, Principal Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; and H. Thomas Watkins, President and Chief Executive Officer, Human Genome Sciences

Company Presentations:
Each year at Mid-Atlantic Bio, a number of life science companies are chosen to present before an audience of capital sources, including corporate business development professionals, peer scientists and company leaders, venture capitalists, angel investors, and various other qualified financing sources along with important industry professionals and potential strategic partners.

BioMatch:
Mid-Atlantic Bio’s signature networking program, BioMatch, is designed specifically for the life sciences and biotech industries, and provides registered attendees access to advanced partnering software that facilitates personalized, one-on-one meetings between the leading bioscience organizations and industry leaders.

Partial List of Conference Sponsors:
Cooley LLP, Hogan Lovells US LLP, Grant Thornton LLP, MedImmune, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, E&Y, BioMed Realty Trust, Inc., Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., Janelia Farms Research Campus of Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NIH Federal Credit Union, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, Deloitte & Touche LLP, H.I.G. Bioventures, Intersouth Partners, New Enterprises Associates, Oxford Finance, TEDCO, Third Security, LLC

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ABOUT MID-ATLANTIC BIO
The Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, scheduled October 27-29, 2010, in Bethesda, Maryland, is co-hosted by the Tech Council of Maryland (TCM), the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), and the Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO). Mid-Atlantic Bio benefits from broad regional support from the investor and greater business communities, academic institutions, government agencies, and partnering regional associations. For more information, or to register or sponsor, please visit www.midatlanticbio.org.

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