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BIO 2008 a Success, Places British Columbia on World Stage LifeSciences BC led a delegation of over 100 British Columbians to BIO San Diego this year from June 17 - 21. BIO was attended by about 20,000 people, and Canada had the largest national delegation at about 1,000 delegates strong. All BC and Canadian events were well attended, among them LifeSciences BC’s Pavilion Opening and Reception, co-sponsored by Amgen and Pfizer; the Canada Opening and Reception; Canada Kick-off Event; Canadian Soiree at the San Diego Zoo. This year, the Team BC Dinner had record attendance of approximately 100 guests, and was once again generously sponsored by Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP. The Honourable Moura Quayle, Assistant Deputy Minister of Advanced Education, was in attendance to open the BC and Canada Pavilions, and also attended the Team BC Dinner. Strengthening our relationship with international partners was a key focus for both Canada and BC, and we showcased some of BC’s world-class research institutions to our global audience.  R to L: Karimah Es Sabar, Simon Pimstone, Moura Quayle and David Hall at the BC Pavilion Opening This year at BIO, jurisdictions around the world took the opportunity to make important announcements, demonstrating their governments’ strong interest in interest and support of biotechnology. Such news from across the globe included:
On June 16, at Boston's Joslin Diabetes Center, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law the state's landmark Life Sciences Initiative (LSI), then immediately flew to San Diego with legislative leadership to tout the plan in front of the world's biotechnology industry at the BIO 2008 International Convention.
During the 2008 BIO International Convention, hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, Secretary of State Phil Wilson announced two new Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF) investments to advance Texas’ biotech activities. The two investments, totaling $3.7 million, will add to the $49 million Texas has already invested in biotech research and development activities throughout the state. Secretary Wilson is the governor’s official designee on the $200 million TETF.
The new economic and tax incentives program supports the development of an innovation-based economy, and enables businesses to receive tax credits for research and development, clinical trails and for using renewable energy, among other benefits.
A historic agreement to establish a pan-Pacific “stem cell airbridge” between Victoria and the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) will empower collaboration between local scientists and California scientists to help turn Victorian discoveries into worldwide treatments. Premier John Brumby and Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings today signed the Victoria-California Stem Cell Alliance with the institute’s President Alan Trounson and Chairman Robert Klein, at BIO 2008, an international biotechnology convention in San Diego, California.  Hector McKay-Dunn with Moura Quayle at the Team BC Dinner  The BC Pavilion Download the BIO wrap-up presentation Exhibiting in the British Columbia Pavilion were: • Centre for Drug Research and Development • Genome British Columbia • BC Innovation Council • Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP • Centre of Excellence for the Prevention of Organ Failure • Prostate Centre at Vancouver General Hospital • Vancouver Island Tech Park • UVic Genome BC Proteomics Centre • LifeSciences British Columbia Members of the LifeSciences BC Delegation: • Allon Therepeutics Inc. • Amgen British Columbia Inc. • Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. • AstraZeneca Canada Inc. • Bayer Inc. • Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP • iCo Therapeutics Inc. • Inimex Pharmaceuticals Inc. • Merck Frosst Canada Inc. • Ministry of Advanced Education • Ministry of Economic Development • NRC-Industrial Research Assistance Program • Northern Lipids Inc. • Pfizer Canada Inc. • PharmEng Technology Inc. • Rx&D Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies • University of British Columbia • The University Presidents' Council • QLT • Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. • ZymeWorks Inc. |
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