NEW YORK, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Biotechnology Association (NYBA), a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to the development and growth of New York State - based biotechnology related industries, announced today the speakers for their keynote luncheon plenary program that will be held at the organization’s annual meeting on Tuesday, April 18 (12:30-2:00). This panel discussion is titled, “Living with Illness: Biotechnology Finding the Cures” and will focus on the challenges of finding medical treatments for chronic diseases prevalent throughout the world. Panelists will examine the issue from a disease advocate, physician and biotechnology company perspective. NYBA’s Annual Meeting will take place at the Marriot Marquis Hotel in New York City.
The panelists taking part in this forum are: -- Dr. Barry Coller; a renowned physician, researcher and medical educator currently physician-in-chief of Rockefeller University Hospital and member of the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Coller is an expert on the basic molecular mechanisms involved in blood clotting and thrombosis. His research accomplishments include the development of a monoclonal antibody to platelets that was developed into the drug ReoPro(R) (abciximab), which is used throughout the world to prevent and treat heart attacks in select patient populations. -- Dr. George Yancopoulos; Chief Scientific Officer and President, at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. -- a biopharmaceutical company based in Tarrytown, NY that discovers, develops, and intends to commercialize therapeutic medicines for the treatment of serious medical conditions such as cancer, eye diseases, and inflammatory diseases. Dr. Yancopoulos is widely regarded as a world leader in many fields of biology and was elected to both the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Sciences in 2004. -- Mark Krueger; president and founder of Mark Krueger & Associates, Inc., is a well-respected consultant known for his strategic approach to building industry partnerships with patients, advocates, and public policy makers with the goal to help speed drug approvals and maximize sales. Mark is a member of the clinical trials working groups at the National Breast Cancer Action Plan, serves as a member of the national advisory board of the National Organization for Rare Disorders and as a member of the public relations committee of Cancer Care.
The plenary session will be moderated by Matthew Herper, biotechnology reporter, Forbes Magazine.
“The need to find cures for chronic diseases that continue to afflict a high percentage of the worldwide population remains a key driving force within the biotechnology industry,” said Karin Duncker, NYBA’s executive director. “We are fortunate to have gathered such a revered panel to explore the challenges of developing and commercializing new therapies and look forward to the insights their unique perspectives will provide.”
NYBA’s annual two-day meeting brings together leaders in the biotechnology community to examine and discuss issues vital to the industry from a financial, public policy, research and business development perspective. More than 500 scientists, medical researchers, biotechnology business executives, investors, policy makers and journalists will convene for NYBA’s 16th annual meeting. For online program and registration information, please visit the NYBA website: http://www.nyba.org .
About NYBA
NYBA is the leading advocate for advancing the success of the biotechnology industry in New York State and is its main representative to policy makers, the media and the communities in which we work. Our mission is to support the development and growth of New York’s biotechnology industry, and serve our members and the biotechnology community by providing a network for information exchange, shared services and collective action. NYBA’s membership comprises over 250 bioscience companies, world-class research institutions and related professional services. Under the banner of The Cures Start Here(R), our goal is to amplify the success New York has had and continues to have in discovering major medical advances and growing a vibrant biotech industry. For more information on NYBA programs and initiatives, visit our website at http://www.nyba.org .
New York Biotechnology Association
CONTACT: Karin Duncker, Executive Director Of NYBA, +1-212-332-4395,kduncker@nyba.org; Paul Kidwell, of Suda Communications, for NYBA,+1-617-296-3854, paulkidwell@comcast.net
Web site: http://www.nyba.org/
