Major Biotechnology Conferences Highlight Eastern United States as Center for Research, Innovation in Biosciences

ATLANTA, GA -- March 17, 2005 -- BioFusion 2005 and BIO VentureForum East 2005 Invite Leading Companies, Research Institutions, Universities to Atlanta.

The Southern U.S. International BioAlliance and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today announced a marketing partnership to promote two major biotechnology conferences to be held in Atlanta this spring. The Southern BioAlliance will host its inaugural bio partnering event, BioFusion 2005, at the Georgia World Congress Center April 10-12, and BIO will sponsor its venture capital conference, BIO VentureForum East 2005, on May 9-11 at the Intercontinental Hotel-Buckhead. Highlighting the eastern United States as a center for research, innovation and capital in the bioscience industry, organizers of the events will cross-promote the conferences’ benefits and encourage attendance.

“Our marketing partnership with BioFusion is a natural fit,” said Morrie Ruffin, BIO’s vice president for business development and emerging companies. “By collaborating on these events, our organizations can offer the bioscience community unprecedented access to capital and partnering opportunities. There are many high-profile sources of venture capital, bioscience research and innovation in the eastern United States, and these events will further establish this area as a burgeoning hotbed of biotech activity.”

Presented in conjunction with the second annual CDC Technology Symposium, BioFusion 2005 is the first-ever biosciences partnering conference held in the southern United States. The conference brings together a large range of companies and institutions, from start-ups to large, multi-national medical device, biotech, pharmaceutical, drug discovery, drug delivery, biomanufacturing, CRO and other bioscience companies; cutting edge research institutions; and leading venture capital firms from around the world. BioFusion will provide participants the opportunity to forge essential partnering relationships and strategic alliances.

BioFusion is expected to draw the most significant players in the biotechnology industry, including Gilead Sciences, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Serologicals, Third Security Venture Fund the CDC, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Duke University, Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Several regional economic development associations, foreign consulates, chambers of commerce and international trade councils also are participating.

BIO VentureForum East 2005 is a three-day event bringing venture capitalists together with promising seed, early- and late-stage private biotechnology product and platform companies from across the East Coast. It is sponsored by BIO in partnership with 12 state biotechnology associations (Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia) and BIOTECanada.

At BIO VentureForum East 2005, 120 companies will be selected to present to leading life sciences-focused North American venture capital firms. Workshops and plenary sessions will be offered on trends in the biotech industry, with special focus on key success factors for early stage companies, R&D, market trends and financing. In addition, there will be formal and informal networking opportunities with industry CEOs and venture capital leaders.

“As the leading nationwide biotechnology organization, BIO is dedicated to advancing the bioscience industry, supporting new and emerging research efforts, venture capital avenues and other significant bioscience innovations,” said Frank McDaniel, chair of the Southern U.S. International BioAlliance, host organization for BioFusion 2005. “With a similar mission focusing on the southeastern United States, the Southern BioAlliance is proud to participate in this joint effort to encourage involvement in and advancement of the biotechnology industry in the East.”

Companies involved in both events are encouraged to participate in the BIO VentureForum Boot Camp scheduled for April 13 at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. During this seminar, company representatives will receive intensive coaching and the tools necessary to refine their investor presentations for maximum impact.

For more information about BioFusion 2005 and the Southern U.S. International Bio Alliance and to register for BioFusion 2005, go to www.biofusionsouth.org.

For more information about BIO VentureForum East 2005 or to register online, please visit http://bvf-east.bio.org/opencms/bvf-east2005/index.jsp

Contact Information

Kristina Heuman

PR

Manning, Selvage & Lee

Contact via E-mail