BioLink USA - Ireland Announces 4th Annual Conference In New York On April 6- 7, 2006

NEW YORK, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- BioLink, a leading nonprofit association of scientists, engineers, physicians, business and academic professionals who are Irish or of Irish descent, engaged in the life sciences, is proud to announce its Fourth Annual Conference and Gala Awards Ceremony held on April 6 and 7 in New York City.

The BioLink Conference includes a series of three events, including an opening night reception, conference and Life Sciences Gala Awards dinner. Mr. Dennis Purcell, Senior Managing Director of Aisling Capital, will deliver the keynote address at the opening night reception on Thursday, April 6, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, with an introduction from The Honorable Tim O'Connor, the Consul General of Ireland. The title of this year's conference is Metabolic Diseases -- The Impact of Prosperity and will be held on Friday, April 7th, at Essex House, 160 Central Park South in New York City. BioLink's Life Sciences Gala Awards Ceremony will follow the conference and will honor ten individuals for their leadership, contributions and personal commitment to the global life science community.

"The contributions of Irish and Irish Americans to the life sciences industry have reached new heights," said BioLink USA - Ireland President Denis Headon. "BioLink's annual conference, which continues to grow in size and importance, reflects the Irish American community's strong influence and impact on the life sciences in industry and academia. We are proud that our expanding global network of life sciences professionals facilitates collaborations that are vital to the development of the life sciences in Ireland."

Here are the details: -- Opening Night Reception at the Irish Consulate, 345 Park Avenue, 17th Floor, on Thursday, April 6, 6:00pm-9:00pm. -- Introduction by Consul General of Ireland, The Honorable Tim O'Connor -- Keynote presented by Dennis Purcell, Senior Managing Partner of Aisling Capital LLC

-- Fourth Annual Conference at Essex House, 160 Central Park South, on Friday, April 7, 8:00am-5:00pm.

-- Cardiovascular Diseases: A panel will discuss current research, therapeutics and devices used in treatment and will be moderated by Dr. Donald Black, Head of Global R&D at GE Healthcare. Speakers include: -- Prof. Garret A. Fitzgerald, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Elmer Bobst Professor of Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania -- Dr. Euan MacIntyre, V.P. Drug Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc. -- Dr. James Barry, V.P., Corporate Research & Advanced Technology Development, Boston Scientific -- Prof. Luke Clancy, Director, General Research Institute for a Tobacco-Free Society, Dublin -- Diabetes: A panel will discuss current research, therapeutics and devices used in diabetes and will be moderated by Dr. Steve Meller, Head of Global BioScience Business Development, Procter and Gamble. -- Prof. Stephen O'Rahilly, Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Medicine, Cambridge University, England -- Dr. Joseph O'Sullivan, Senior Director, Research, Bristol Myers Squibb -- Dr. Alan Krasner, Director, Metabolic Diseases, Pfizer Global Research & Development -- Lifescience Links with Ireland: This panel will discuss the opportunities and potential for collaboration and R&D partnerships in Ireland and will be moderated by Dr. Hugh Brady, MD, PhD, President of University College Dublin. -- Dr. Paul Roben, Bio Commercialization, Enterprise Ireland -- Mr. Barry O'Dowd, SVP, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology, IDA -- Mr. Liam Nellis, Chief Executive, InterTradeIreland -- Mr. James O'Neill, Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary, Dept of Health & Human Services

-- BioLink USA-Ireland Black Tie Life Science Gala Awards Ceremony at Essex House, 160 Central Park South, on Friday, April 7, 7:00pm, to honor the following individuals:

-- Dr. Hugh Brady MD, PhD, President of University College Dublin -- Ms. Elaine Brennan, Senior Vice President of Operations at Montefiore Medical Center, New York -- Mr. Peter R. Dolan, Chief Executive Officer, Bristol Myers Squibb -- Dr. Marie Filbin -- City University of New York, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Specialized Neuroscience Research Program -- Hunter College, CUNY -- Dr. Terence Lambe, Vice President and Area Team Leader Ireland/Singapore -- Pfizer Global Manufacturing -- Dr. Stephen O'Rahilly, Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Medicine, Cambridge University, England -- Mr. Thomas E. O'Toole, Deputy Director and Chief Licensing Officer of Centers for Disease Control's Technology Transfer Office -- Mr. Dennis Purcell, Senior Managing Director, Aisling Capital LLC -- Mr. James H. Taylor, Jr., Boston Scientific, Inc., former Executive Vice President, Corporate Operations -- Dr. Frank Walsh, Executive VP, Discovery Research Worldwide for Wyeth

The conference brochure can be downloaded from http://www.biolinkusaireland.org/documents/conference_brochure.pdf

Online registration is available at: https://web.memberclicks.com/mc/quickForm/viewForm.do?orgId=biolink&formId=140 70

Conference Press Passes

A limited number of press passes will be available for the Opening Night Reception, Conference and Life Science Gala Awards Ceremony. If you are interested in a press pass or if you would like to interview a speaker or award recipient, please contact Julie Huang at jhuang@fd-us.com and (212) 850-5628.

About BioLink USA - Ireland

BioLink is a volunteer-based 501(C)3 nonprofit association of scientists, engineers, physicians business and academic professionals of Irish descent in the life sciences industry. The aims of BioLink USA-Ireland are connecting and fostering relations and interactions among members for mutual benefit, and providing support to the development of the biosciences in commercial, academic and government settings in Ireland. Established in 2003, BioLink members represent 10 cities in the United States.

Ireland

CONTACT: Julie Huang of Financial Dynamics, +1-212-850-5628 orjhuang@fd-us.com, for Enterprise Ireland

Web site: http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/