MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- A merger was announced today between Medical Alley, the Minnesota health care trade association, and MNBIO, the Minnesota biotechnology association. It is expected that the merger will be completed by March 1, 2005.
Merger discussions began around the convergence of bioscience and medical technology and the need to develop a single voice for the biosciences for members of both non-profit organizations. Medical Alley and MNBIO have a shared interest in life sciences and biosciences and in supporting the growth of the industry. According to Don Gerhardt, president and CEO of Medical Alley, "Combining Medical Alley and MNBIO was a logical way to achieve coordination of effort and focus. We think a single voice and a concentrated effort will produce more actionable results for the industry in the state and region." The two groups share about 45 member organizations resulting in a combined membership of 550.
The merger is being positively viewed by members of Medical Alley and MNBIO with the boards of both organizations and MNBIO's membership voting for the merger. "Many members of both organizations have asked about combining the organizations' efforts as our industries are demonstrating convergence," said Ray Frost, executive director of MNBIO. "Medical Alley and MNBIO have always been supportive of each other's activities so the merger was a natural progression." The national BIO organization has also provided a letter of support and Medical Alley will be the official state affiliate of BIO going forward.
The newly merged organization will be called Medical Alley until a revised mission is developed and a new name is defined. Don Gerhardt will be the CEO of the new organization and Ray Frost will serve as senior vice president. The expanded focus of the merged organization will be human health, industrial and agricultural bioscience. This is one of the only membership organizations in the country that serves this converged audience and delivers such a comprehensive offering of services and benefits.
Founded in 1984, Medical Alley is a non-profit trade association comprised of over 400 member organizations in the health care industry. The Association's mission is to serve as a collaborative forum that promotes an environment to enhance innovation in health care. Medical Alley membership includes medical technology manufacturers, health plans/insurers, pharmaceutical and bioscience companies, hospitals and clinics, academic/research institutions, and health care service and consulting companies of all sizes. For information about Medical Alley, visit http://www.medicalalley.org/ or call 952-542-3077.
MNBIO serves as the eyes, ears and voice of biotechnology in Minnesota. As the state's chapter of the national Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), MNBIO offers valuable connections to other organizations across the country. For information about MNBIO, visit http://www.mnbio.org/ or call 651-265-7840.
Medical AlleyCONTACT: Liz Rammer of Medical Alley, +1-952-542-3077,lrammer@medicalalley.org