ANN ARBOR – Bioscience trade association MichBio announced details for its 2008 Expo and Conference at the Rock Financial ShowPlace in Novi this November.
“This year’s Expo provides a robust schedule of offerings covering two full days for the first time,” said MichBio Executive Director, Stephen Rapundalo, Ph.D. “We have a number of new programs and a wide variety tracks and topics, all capped off with a keynote address from Christine Poon, vice chair of Johnson & Johnson, and one of the most respected professionals in the industry.”�
Day One of the Expo will, for the first time, feature the Michigan Emerging Life Sciences Showcase, a preview of the next wave in regional bioscience companies. The showcase will host presenters from two categories: ?emerging� or pre-seed� companies? those evolving out of the universities and taking their first steps along the commercialization pathway – and seed or early-stage companies that are conducting proof-of-concept research or are further along in executing their business and product development plans.
The first day will also feature the Michigan Life Sciences Summit, a gathering of leaders from the state’s research institutions, scientists, entrepreneurs, CEOs of biosciences companies, economic development organizations, investors, and policymakers to develop a roadmap for the future of Michigan’s biosciences. Participants will discuss Michigan’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and the identification of critical priorities.
Following an opening reception on Day One, MichBio member CEOs will gather for an exclusive dinner forum bringing together key industry leaders in big pharma, biotech, medical devices, and diagnostics. They will discuss the challenges every R&D executive is facing �?? from reigning in the high costs of R&D to declining research productivity and pipelines, pricing pressures and regulatory constraints, future trends in R&D innovation, corporate partnering, and the changing landscape in healthcare delivery.
Day Two begins with a breakfast forum where CEOs of Michigan�’s leading health systems will discuss how biotechnology is changing therapeutic and surgical interventions, diagnostics and predictive medicine, data management, communications, and even the design, layout and mission of hospitals.
New this year is a session track focused on manufacturing companies looking to diversify or increase their business in the medical device industry. The track includes a morning workshop where manufacturers will hear from a variety of medical device and biotechnology companies on their current supply chain structure, what they look for in suppliers, and their current and future procurement needs. An afternoon session will highlight specific differences vendors face when transitioning into medical device manufacturing including raw materials, regulatory, environmental, and tooling specific issues.
Other tracks include R&D, Medical Affairs and Markets, and Emerging Business topics. All sessions and descriptions are downloadable at MichBio.Org/Expo
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