Biotechnology, fair: EU makes its presence felt at BIO 2006
The European pavilion at this year's BIO annual convention, the world's largest biotechnology trade fair, was a great hit.
The European Union was out in force at the BIO 2006 convention in Chicago, USA, between 9 and 12 April 2006. There were pavilions set up by regional and national European governments, as well as the EU.
The European Pavilion was jointly organised by the European Commission, the European Patent Office and the European Medicines Agency. The stand highlighted Europe's role in supporting research and innovation in the life sciences and promoted Europe as a highly competitive knowledge-based bio-economy with opportunities for research, partnering and business. Experts from Europe were on hand to give advice to anyone interested in conducting life sciences research and business in Europe.
The Union organised or actively participated in at least ten events on the conference's programme, including the Ministerial Seminar and a series of sessions at the International Day which were very well attended. One such gathering was a press conference on the 'evolving landscape for biotechnology in Europe: research, regulations, patents & IPR'.
The EU delegation included Matjaz Malgaj, a member of Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik's cabinet, as well as Christian Patermann, Octavi Quintana and other staff from the Research Directorate-General and the Joint Research Centre. Georgette Lalis from the Enterprise DG was also part of the delegation.
Event of the year
In terms of size, the Annual International Convention of the Biotechnology Industry Organisation (BIO) is the biggest event of the year when it comes to the biotechnology industry. BIO 2006, the 14th edition of the convention, attracted some 20 000 participants from 62 countries.
This year's event featured former American President Bill Clinton, US Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O Leavitt, an ethanol-fuelled racecar, and the world's largest indoor cornfield.
"BIO 2006 was a spectacular success. The convergence of health, food and agriculture, and industrial and environmental biotechnology created a fantastic opportunity for the biotech industry to show the many ways it is innovating to cure and prevent disease, alleviate hunger, and improve the environment," said Jim Greenwood, BIO's President and CEO.
