Tennessee Biotechnology Association

Tennessee Biotechnology Association Announces Speaker Lineup for BIO International Convention May 4-6 in Chicago
Apr 29, 2010
Focus on TNInvestco, Biofuels, Biopharma and Biologistics

NASHVILLE — April 29, 2010 — Leaders from across Tennessee’s diverse life science sector will present the latest developments in Tennessee-based biofuels, biopharma, biologistics and early-stage venture capital initiatives at the Tennessee Pavilion (booth #2763) during next week’s BIO International Convention at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, the Tennessee Biotechnology Association (TBA) and the Tennessee Economic Partnership (TEP) announced today.

Matt Kisber, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, will discuss the advantages of locating and doing business in Tennessee, including the $87 million pool of new venture capital being made available to bioscience and other Tennessee startups through the TNInvestco program. Kisber is the featured speaker at the “BIO Meets Old No. 7” reception being held at the Tennessee Pavilion Tuesday, May 4 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

“We want the biotech world to know that Tennessee is rich in the life sciences and that we are committed to the success of the industry in our state,” Kisber said. “We have the business climate and the resources to support the life science sector’s long-term growth.”

In addition to Commissioner Kisber, TBA and TEP invite BIO attendees to the Tennessee Pavilion (booth #2763) to meet with and hear from:

Paul Gilna, Ph.D., director of the Department of Energy BioEnergy Science Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. As BESC director, Gilna will lead a $25 million-per-year multidisciplinary research center focused on achieving the breakthroughs in basic science needed to make production cellulosic biofuels--biofuels from nonfood plant fiber--cost-effective on a national scale. Dr. Gilna’s research enterprise represents an important element in the nation's energy future. Tuesday, May 4 at 2 p.m.

David Osborn, Ph.D., general manager, Nashville Medical Trade Center. This first-of-its-kind healthcare-focused trade mart, scheduled to open in early 2013, will create an unparalleled nexus of commerce and learning, resulting in a single location where the newest innovations and ideas in health care are presented to purchasers in a state-of-the-art facility. Tuesday, May 4 at 3 p.m.

Brian Laden, Ph.D., Tri Star Technology Ventures. Dr. Laden is a co-founder of TriStar Technology Ventures, an early stage venture fund that focuses on forming and investing in companies in the area broadly defined as healthcare innovation: biotech, pharmaceuticals, personalized medicine, medical devices, healthcare IT and healthcare services. Wednesday, May 5 at 10 a.m.

Thomas Vandervort, DDN. A subsidiary of the 152-year-old Dohmen Company, DDN is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wis., with distribution facilities located in Memphis, Tenn. and Ontario, Calif. DDN has become the largest privately held provider of outsourced services to the life science industry by streamlining processes, reducing costs and improving efficiencies for emerging, mid-tier and market leading life science companies. With close proximity to Memphis-based FedEx, DDN collaborates with FedEx on numerous life science supply chain logistics innovations, including the newly launched SenseAware(SM) device. SenseAware, powered by FedEx, is a next-generation, first-of-its-kind information service introduced to the life sciences industry this year that combines a GPS sensor device and a web-based collaboration platform to provide increased access to information between business partners and customers to aid in the management of supply chain interactions. Wednesday, May 5 at 11 a.m.

Tom Davis and Ted Townsend, arGentis Pharmaceuticals, LLC. arGentis is a privately-held diversified biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the licensing, development and commercialization of novel classes of therapies to treat chronic diseases in autoimmunity and ophthalmology. arGentis’ drug R&D programs are focused on treating underlying mechanisms of unmet inflammatory conditions through utilization of oral and transdermal compounds. Wednesday, May 5 at 2 p.m.

Regina Whitley, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Memphis Bioworks Foundation. Memphis Bioworks Foundation is a non-profit organization formed to lead the collaboration between public, private, academic and government entities to accelerate the growth of the bioscience industry in Memphis and the Mid-South region. Whitley also serves as the executive director of the Memphis Bioworks Business Association, which helps bring the diverse bioscience sector together to build awareness for the market, create community and advance economic opportunity for growth. Wednesday, May 5 at 3 p.m.

The BIO International Convention is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry. Each year, BIO attracts the biggest names in biotech, offers key networking and partnering opportunities, and provides insights and inspiration on the major trends affecting the industry.

About TBA
The Tennessee Biotechnology Association (TBA) is a statewide trade association dedicated to the development and growth of Tennessee’s life sciences industry, including biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical devices. In partnership with its member organizations, the TBA is focused on strengthening Tennessee’s competitiveness by broadening the impact of breakthrough discoveries, facilitating access to capital and helping recruit, train and retain the necessary workforce to grow life science companies, research and technology in Tennessee.

About TEP
Tennessee Economic Partnership is a public-private program created in 1990 by the state’s leading economic development professionals and corporate executives to organize marketing opportunities that attract new jobs to the state. Through strategically planned networking events, TEP generates leads and business relationships with key prospects and consultants. In partnership with the State of Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the state’s business and economic development community, TEP works to increase private capital investment and create higher incomes for all Tennesseans. For more information, visit www.tennep.com.

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Contact: Kriste Goad
kgoad@tnbio.org
615.242.8856 (o) 615.440.9049 (c)

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