FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW YORK, May 25th, 2005 Blood, Sweat and Tears History repeats itself? Using contemporary building blocks for a different type of Infrastructure the Irish are building an amazing Life Science Linkage between the USA and Ireland.
BioLink USA-Ireland, an educational networking organization responsible for connecting and fostering relationships between Life Scientists in the US and Ireland, announces its 3rd Annual Life Science Conference, entitled International Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The conference will be held June 16th-17th in Boston, Massachusetts at the Boston Sheraton Hotel. Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, the Trade and Technology Board of the Irish Government, the conference will focus on Life Science Governance, Cutting Edge Technologies and Commercialization of Research from IP to IPO. Topics range from Stem Cell Research and Bio Ethics to Global Life Science Investing.
Attending the conference will enable you to:
Understand new regulations and industry trends Learn about the emergence of a world class life science research environment Identify funding opportunities for doing research and starting a business in the US and Ireland Meet Ireland’s emerging entrepreneurs and discuss opportunities for partnering--over 13 Irish companies will be participating Network with leading life scientists from the European Union and the United States Follow-up research, licensing, contracting, partnering, investment, and employment opportunities
According to BioLink President, Dr. Denis Headon of the Rice University in Texas, The past two conferences have produced agreements that currently translate to over $5 million in investments with a later funding potential of over $10 million between small indigenous Irish companies and their larger US counterparts. This year’s Third Annual Conference promises even greater returns for its participants.
BioLink USA-Ireland has, during its short existence, launched a network of over 700 scientists, engineers and life science business professionals in the United States. Over 300 participated in its two previous conferences that were held in New York and San Francisco. A number of strong national and international delegates are expected to attend this year’s conference.
Speakers at the Boston conference will include high level representatives from the Irish government and biotech start-ups, as well as top level speakers from the US academic, governmental and industrial biospace. These include, on the U.S. side, Dr. Lester Crawford, Commissioner Designate of the FDA, Mr. Tom Finneran, President of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, Dr. Frances Toneguzzo, Director of Corporate Sponsored Research and Licensing at Massachusetts General Hospital, Mr. Thomas O’Toole, Chief Licensing Officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Dr. Donald Black, Global Head of R&D for GE Healthcare, among others.
Representatives from Ireland include the Honorable Isolde Moylan, Consul General of Ireland in Boston, Mr. Alan Dixon, Director of Life Sciences for Enterprise Ireland, and Mr. Pat O’Mahony, Director of the Irish Medicines Board and thirteen CEO’s of indigenous Irish biotechnology companies.
In coordination with Irish America Magazine, there is a very exciting component to this year’s conference: The Irish America Top 15 Life Science Awards, where renowned individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Lifescience sector will be honored. Awardees include Tommy Thompson, Former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Lester Crawford, Commissioner of FDA, Dr. Garret Fitzgerald of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Donald Black, Global Head of R&D for GE Healthcare, and Mr. James Lenehan, Former Worldwide Chairman of Johnson and Johnson, amongst others.
A full agenda, lists of speakers and awardees, registration form and information on chapters across the US are available at www.biolinkusaireland.org or through email, info@biolinkusaireland.org. Registration fee is $300 for members and $500 for nonmembers, with student pricing set at $175. Registration includes one year’s membership in BioLink USA-Ireland.
For more information, please contact:
Conference Coordinator Ms. Edel McCarville, edel.mccarville@enterprise-ireland.com, 212-546-0470
For general information on the BioLink USA-Ireland organization, please contact: info@biolinkusaireland.org
