FDA, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Gates MRI Headline Final Day of BIO International Convention

Hosted by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), today’s programming will begin with two much-anticipated Fireside Chats:

• Dr. Scott Gottlieb, commissioner of Food and Drugs, U.S. FDA
• Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellman, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will join Dr. Penny Heaton, CEO of Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute (Gates MRI)

“As we enter the last day of Convention programming, I feel more motivated than ever by the biotech industry’s sense of urgency in developing and delivering innovative, life-saving cures and vaccines,” said Dr. Penny Heaton, CEO of the Gates MRI. “As an organization, we’re working to ensure that life-saving vaccines are developed for those who need it most. I’m especially looking forward to advancing the discussion about how we leverage translational medicine, during my fireside chat today.”

The day’s activities also include the final day of Start-Up Stadium and a Super Session on Biotechnology’s Promise in a Changing Landscape which will tackle the latest commercial, scientific and ethical issues facing the biotech industry.

Thursday, June 7 Highlights Include:

Fireside Chat: Dr. Scott Gottlieb, MD, Commissioner of Food and Drugs, U.S. FDA
A fireside chat with Dr. Scott Gottlieb of the FDA.
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Room 253ABC, Level 2

Fireside Chat: Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellman, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Dr. Penny Heaton, Gates MRI
A fireside chat with Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Dr. Penny Heaton of the Gates MRI.
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. | Room 253ABC, Level 2

Start-up Stadium: Empowering the Cutting-Edge Companies of Tomorrow, Today.
Start-Up Stadium was designed to provide start-up companies with the opportunity to engage key members of the investment community, venture philanthropy groups, and BIO attendees.
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | North Lobby

Super Session: Scientific American WorldVIEW: Biotechnology’s Promise in a Changing Landscape
This Super Session, now in its 10th year, will examine global life science innovation in unique and dynamic new ways.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Room 253ABC, Level 2

Follow the 2018 Convention @BIOConvention and join the conversation @IAmBIOtech.

About BIO

BIO is the world’s largest trade association representing 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. BIOtechNOW is BIO’s blog chronicling “innovations transforming our world” and the BIO Newsletter is the organization’s bi-weekly email newsletter. Subscribe to the BIO Newsletter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180607005091/en/