The 2007 Bio convention promises to be a pulse check for the global biotech market. I am impressed by the diversity of included topics: from stem cell research according to scientists, lawyers and a Hollywood actor to an art exhibit highlighting drug safety. In solidarity and subsidiarity, solutions to social issues such as drug affordability will be discussed. For example Napo Pharmaceuticals will highlight their work for providing affordable therapies to developing nations and turning plant sources into pharmaceuticals. In commemoration of National Stroke Month (May), Neurobiological Technologies will discuss their stroke treatment derived from viper venom. CytImmune Sciences, one of only nine companies testing a nanomedicine in human trials, will discuss its cancer research. The HPV vaccine concerns will be addressed as well. I am most interested to attend the bioethics tracks on “Biotechnology’s responsibility for human rights” and “The globalization of stem cell research: Bioethical challenges."

Today’s Charles Darwin, E. O. Wilson, will be presenting an education award at a fundraiser Saturday night. His keynote speech is not to be missed.

Surely this will be a rich and bold event, in keeping with the spirit of bio pioneers.

Already Impressed With BIO2007

With still a few days to go before BIO2007 officially kicks off I am already impressed with the convention. Naturally I am ecstatic that BIO2007 has embraced the blog and I have been asked to participate! I love all of the functionality that the MyBIO online interactive event planner offers, particularly the fact that I am able to port my schedule from the MyBIO site to Outlook and ultimately sync with my Blackberry 8700c. It will come in handy since all I will need to carry around at the conference is the device.

In particular I am looking forward to attending the finance and business development sessions, as many as possible. The plan is to work out of my home-base at the Colorado Pavilion (Booth 1483) where my friends and colleagues from fantastic organizations such as the Fitzsimons BioBusiness Incubator (yours truly), the Colorado BioScience Association, the Colorado Science + Technology Park @ Fitzsimons, the University of Colorado Technology Transfer Office, Metro Denver Economic Development Corp., National Jewish Medical & Research Center, Holmes Roberts & Owen, and Snell & Wilmer (who will also be represented at the Arizona Pavilion) will be stationed. If you would like to connect with me please stop by the Colorado Pavilion, shoot me an SMS @ 303.902.4413 or leave a comment here on the BIO Voice blog.

I am also going to experiment with incorporating Twitter while at BIO2007. It is a microblogging tool good for quick short updates. My good friend and mobile development genius Kevin Cawley has built Tiny Twitter, a java based tool that will allow me to “tweet” from the conference floor from my handheld device. Embedded on the siderail is the green box that will contain my most recent tweet-dates.

Finally, I plan to co-post at my home blog Colorado Life Science Deal Flow. So if you have something to say to the blogosphere track me down and let’s shout it out on BIO Voice.