WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 28, 2011) — The 2011 Leadership Summit, hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), addressed the economic obstacles and environmental impacts for biotechnologies in transforming how food, fuel and other products are produced. The summit took place June 27 at the 2011 BIO International Convention in Washington, D.C., at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
“We have to push through our policy barriers in order to continue supporting the economic growth of our rural economies in the United States and around the world,” said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood during the half-day event, which gathered government and private sector leaders to discuss how policy reform is critical for biotechnology to meet the sector’s global economic challenges.
Speakers stressed that policy reform’s impact would affect more than just the domestic industry. Since biotechnology is transforming how crops are grown and how fuel is manufactured, stable government policies and current business trends combined with the latest technology advances support the growth of rural economies worldwide.
“We have to get the policies right in order to get the right investments in place,” said Roger Wyse, managing director, Burrill & Company. “We see growth in the rural regions of the United States, but we also see strong potential in emerging regions as developed countries progress and set the stage for next- generation developments. Malaysia and Indonesia are good examples, and biotechnology can be a significant driver for economic development for such countries.”
The industry depends on a strong policy and regulatory environment to support innovation and contribute to job growth, which is key for large and small, U.S. and international biotech companies.
The BIO International Convention is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry, offering networking and partnering opportunities with policymakers, scientists, CEOs and newsmakers, and hundreds of sessions covering biotech trends, policy issues and technological innovations. The Convention also features the BIO Business Forum, a unique platform for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic research institutions, and investors from around the world to gather and discuss strategic opportunities. For the conference agenda and exhibitor information, visit 2011 BIO International Convention.
About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtech Now, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling “innovations transforming our world.” Subscribe to BIOtech Now.
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