Emerging Biosciences Companies/Technologies Sought to Present at Upcoming MichBio Expo

ANN ARBOR, MI--(Marketwire - August 25, 2009) -

MichBio, the association for Michigan’s bioscience industry, today announced that it has opened registration for its annual Expo & Conference and is seeking presenters for the Emerging Biosciences Showcase on Day One and the Emerging Technologies Poster Session on Day Two. The MichBio Expo will be held Nov. 3-4 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo.

“This is the third year for the Emerging Biosciences Showcase, and we expect it to continue growing,” said Stephen Rapundalo, Ph.D., MichBio president and CEO. “Its purpose is to introduce new bioscience technologies and companies emerging in the state of Michigan and surrounding areas to the venture capital and angel investor community. Most of the companies presenting have not yet received any venture funding.”

Twelve companies presented at the first Showcase, a number that grew to 16 last year. This year’s Showcase, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 3, features two sessions: the first comprised of “emerging” or “pre-seed” companies, those evolving out of universities via technology transfer offices or otherwise formed and taking their first steps along the commercialization pathway, and second focused on seed or early-stage companies that are conducting proof-of-concept research or are further along in executing their business and product development plans. Companies that want to be considered for presenting at the Showcase should visit www.michbio.org/expo to download an application. The application deadline is Sept. 18.

New to the Showcase this year will be several presentations from Israeli bioscience companies as part of an international spotlight on “Israel’s Innovative BioMed Industry,” and two investor panels offering perspectives from investors on how the financial markets continue to change what this means for funding of start ups. William Clarke, M.D., MSc, President & CEO, Madison, WI-based Cellectar, Inc., will be the Showcase keynote speaker. Cellectar is a radiopharmaceutical company that designs and develops products to detect, treat and monitor a range of human cancers.

The Emerging Technology Poster Session will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on November 4 during breakfast and lunch in the Exhibit Hall. Displayed will be the most promising technologies and discoveries being developed out of academic labs at Michigan universities and research institutions. Areas of focus can be pharmaceuticals, medical devices, equipment, diagnostics, informatics, bio-based technologies, industrial biotech and clinical research. Applications for the Poster Session are available for download at: www.michbio.org/expo.

The MichBio Expo and Conference is the largest single gathering of biosciences professionals in the state attracting more than 500 participants and more than 60 exhibitors last year. Seventy percent of attendees are executives in biosciences companies, research institutions and universities, with another 25 percent representing service providers and other related industries.

This year’s Expo spans two full days. In addition to the Michigan Emerging Biosciences Showcase, Day One features, tours of local biosciences companies, one-on-one Business Partnering Meetings and a Legislative Policy Town Hall where biosciences leaders and legislators will gather to discuss key issues facing Michigan’s biosciences industry. Topping off the day is the Expo Welcome Reception followed by an exclusive, bio-company CEO-only dinner forum.

Day Two begins with the poster session and networking breakfast in the Exhibit Hall, and continues with a Hot Innovations update and concurrent track sessions on research and development, medical affairs and markets, emerging business and manufacturing topics. Lunch is followed by this year’s keynote address by Robert E. Fischell, Sc.D., chairman, Svelte Medical Systems, a privately held company located in New Providence, NJ. Svelte was founded in 2007 with a mission to address key clinical issues in the stent market by improving stent deliverability, reducing cost and dramatically improving the safety of the device. Svelte has developed the lowest profile and most deliverable balloon expandable stent on the market, along with technology to create a non-thrombogenic, non-inflammatory Drug Eluting Stent (DES).

Workshops in the track session areas and a farewell reception follow Dr. Fischell’s keynote address.

Early bird registration for the Expo ends October 2. For more information about the MichBio Expo, visit www.michbio.org/expo.