BIOCOM and CONNECT Create Forum for Technology Innovators and Business Leaders
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- BIOCOM and CONNECT are launching a series of forums that will help local life science leaders get a closer view of what's really happening in the region's research labs. The first Technology Innovation Forum, slated for Feb. 22 at the Estancia La Jolla, will begin with a networking breakfast from 8 a.m.-9 a.m., followed by presentations from 12 local, hand-selected researchers. The multi-session event, sponsored by Fish and Richardson, and The San Diego Union-Tribune/ SignOnSanDiego.com, will allow attendees to see various short presentations on up-to-date health care research in San Diego's world-renowned research institutions, from the latest in cardiology to oncology to computational neuroscience and diabetes. "We're proud to work with our local research institutions and CONNECT so people can see the exciting technology coming out of the region," said Joe Panetta, president and CEO of BIOCOM. "Transforming technology into life-saving products is one of San Diego's strengths."
Duane Roth, director of CONNECT, says the Technology Innovation Forum is also a way to give venture capitalists and large pharmaceutical companies early access to local innovation.
"BIOCOM and CONNECT share a mission to promote the region's great research," Roth said. "Our interest is to see this knowledge turn into fundable projects through technology licensing or through the creation of new companies."
Institutions including the Burnham Institute, the Salk Institute, the University of California at San Diego, the San Diego Zoo's Conservation and Research for Endangered Species facility will present at the Technology Innovation Forum on such topics as cardiovascular disease, embryonic stem cell research and neurology.
Biotech and pharmaceutical companies often deal directly with a research or academic institution's technology transfer office, yet they don't necessarily have a grasp on the research happening in every lab, said Dr. Tina Nova, chief executive officer and co-founder of Genoptix, Inc. and chairperson of BIOCOM's Science and Technology Committee.
"Our goal is to help San Diego companies do business in San Diego," Dr. Nova said. "A lot of companies in our area look to research institutions and universities for cutting edge technologies. We want to make sure they are aware of the great scientific developments happening in our own back yard."
In 2003, Southern California netted $2.1 billion of the state's $3.4 billion in grants from the National Institutes of Health, with life science companies in San Diego securing more than $747 million in venture capital investments in 2004.
For more information about the Technology Innovation Forum please visit http://www.biocom.org/events/eventlisting.asp?calendartype=2 and click on Technology Innovation Forum.
About BIOCOM: BIOCOM is a premier life science industry association representing more than 450 member companies. The association focuses on initiatives that positively influence the growth of the life science industry, including capital formation, public policy, workforce development, and scientific discovery and development. For more information on BIOCOM or the San Diego regional life sciences community, please visit the organization's Web site at http://www.biocom.org/ or contact our offices at (858) 455-0300.
About CONNECT: UCSD CONNECT is the globally recognized, university-based public benefits organization fostering entrepreneurship in the San Diego region by catalyzing, accelerating, and supporting the growth of the most promising technology and life sciences businesses. Please visit http://www.connect.org/ for more information.
CONTACT: Tim Ingersoll of BIOCOM, +1-858-455-0300,[email protected]; or Theresa Cervantes of CONNECT, +1-858-964-1317,[email protected]
Web site: http://www.biocom.org/events/eventlisting.asp?calendartype=2
Web site: http://www.connect.org/
Web site: http://signonsandiego.com/
Web site: http://www.biocom.org/
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