AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. John D. Stobo, president of the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, will keynote the fourth annual Southwest Bio Venture Conference & Symposium, presented jointly by CN Group and Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute. Stobo will discuss UTMB's recent receipt of $48 million to establish a regional center for biodefense and emerging infectious diseases research and its award to build a $150 million National Biocontainment Laboratory, one of two such labs announced in October 2003 by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Dr. Stobo will explain how UTMB is poised to contribute deeply to discovery and innovation on a global level and provide attendees with his insights on the future of the life sciences in Texas.
The Southwest Bio Venture Conference & Symposium, to be held December 9 and 10 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown will feature, in addition to selected visionaries and experts keynote speakers, approximately 15 of the best life science, biotech, medical and healthcare prospects for venture capital investment in Texas and the Southwestern United States. Approximately 300 attendees, representing some of the country's leading venture capital firms, angels and strategic corporate investment executives, are expected to attend.
"The caliber of life sciences research and discovery in Texas is outstanding," said Stobo. "We are excited to be participating in this year's conference and look forward to discussing how UTMB's recent awards from the National Institutes of Health and its groundbreaking initiatives in biodefense and emerging infectious diseases will help position Texas to become a global leader in the bioresearch and biotechnology industry, and will further the nation's defense against bioterrorism and naturally occurring diseases such as SARS and the West Nile virus."
Projects currently under way and a result of the recent awards and grants include:
* UTMB's National Biocontainment Laboratory, which will provide
much-needed research space to develop therapies, vaccines and tests for
microbes that might be used as weapons by terrorists, as well as
naturally occurring diseases. The total cost of construction is
$150 million. The facility is slated to open in 2008.
* UTMB's Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging
Infectious Diseases Research, which is a key element in the nation's
strategic plan for biodefense research. Research will include:
developing new approaches to blocking the action of anthrax, botulinum
and cholera toxins; developing new vaccines against anthrax, plague,
turlaremia and Ebola; and, creating new immunization strategies and
delivery systems.
* UTMB's Biosafety Level 4 Laboratory, which allows researchers to work
safely with pathogens requiring the highest possible level of
containment -- agents that cause potentially fatal diseases for which
there are currently no approved treatments. The facility became
operational in November 2003.
"Texas' research is world-class in its quality and depth. We are very excited to have Dr. Stobo participate in this year's conference," stated David Gerhardt, managing director, CN Group. "Our goal at CN Group is to bring together world-class technologies, top-quality management and the investment community that can provide funding to create commercially viable ventures.
About CN Group
CN Group helps build growth companies through three business efforts. CN Events produces the leading Venture Capital, Private Equity and Angel Investor gatherings in the Southwest. CN Management Services assists companies in building their management team and Board and Advisory Boards. Capital Network Securities, an NASD-approved investment bank, provides merger and acquisition advisory services, and capital-raising services for select growth companies. For more information please visit http://www.cngroupllc.com/ .
About Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute
The Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute (THBI) is a public policy research organization whose members consist of biotechnology, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies; academic and private research institutions; chambers of commerce; and local and regional economic development foundations. The mission of THBI is to research, develop and advocate policies that promote life science innovation in Texas. For more information, visit http://www.thbi.com/.
Media Contact: Patti D. Hill BlabberMouth Public Relations (512) 528 - 0201 patti@blabbermouthPR.com
CN GroupCONTACT: Patti D. Hill of BlabberMouth Public Relations,+1-512-528-0201, or patti@blabbermouthPR.com, for CN Group
