American Type Culture Collection Release: Biodefense Summit To Chart Path Forward On Consensus Standards

MANASSAS, Va., March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by ATCC:

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051101/DCTU038LOGO ) What: ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) Expert Panel on the Development of Standards for Biodefense * Leaders in the biodefense research & development community will meet to identify and frame key issues in the establishment of voluntary consensus standards for biodefense-related materials and processes. The summit will also bring together academic, industry and government stakeholders to address the current lack of standards in biodefense research and product development. * The meeting represents a launching point for a wider effort intended to produce consensus standards that will improve the quality and productivity of biodefense R&D. * The meeting agenda includes: a keynote address by Major General Eric Schoomaker, MD/PhD, commander of the U.S. Army's Fort Detrick; a review of the Bush Administration's view of biodefense from Dr. Lawrence Kerr, PhD, director of biodefense policy for the President's Homeland Security Council; and three working sessions where the panelists will cultivate agreement on the major issues needing to be addressed in biodefense standards development as the process moves forward. When: April 5 & 6, 2006 April 5: 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (Dinner 7:30 p.m.) April 6: 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Where: The Hay-Adams Hotel at 800 16th Street NW, Washington, DC For more information on the meeting, visit: http://www.biodefensestandards.org.

The Expert Panel on the Development of Standards for Biodefense is convened by ATCC(R), a global nonprofit biological resource center headquartered in Manassas, VA. ATCC's mission is to acquire, authenticate, preserve, develop, and distribute biological materials, information, technology, intellectual property, and standards for the advancement, validation, and application of scientific knowledge. Visit us online at: http://www.atcc.org.

Members of the press interested in attending part or all of the meeting in person should contact Scott Jenkins at ATCC: sjenkins@atcc.org or +1-703-365-2879.

MEDIA NOTE: A teleconference for members of the press will be held at the meeting's conclusion on April 6 at 3:30 pm. The meeting chair will be joined by several biodefense experts to discuss the meeting outcomes and future directions.

CONTACT: Scott Jenkins of ATCC, +1-703-365-2879; or Leslie Valenza, medialiaison, +1-202-973-1320, for ATCC

Web site: http://www.atcc.org/http://www.biodefensestandards.org/