Contacts:
Jan Alf, Forward Wisconsin, 262-691-7873
Anne Lupardus, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
Governor Jim Doyle today announced that he will lead a delegation of over 150 Wisconsin industry leaders to Chicago for BIO 2006, the world’s largest biotechnology conference, on April 9th through April 12th. Governor Doyle will join leading Wisconsin stem cell researchers Dr. James Thomson and Dr. Gabriela Cezar, as well as Wisconsin life science executives, economic developers, state government officials, lawyers, venture capitalists, researchers, technology licensing representatives and higher education professionals to promote Wisconsin’s life science resources.
“Wisconsin’s research institutions and pioneering scientists like Jamie Thomson and Gabriela Cezar are known worldwide,” Governor Doyle said. “Wisconsin breakthroughs in medical science in our state will transform our economy and open doors to new industries we’ve only dreamed of. I am pleased to help bring Wisconsin’s life science success story to executives and investors from across the world at BIO 2006.”
Promoting Wisconsin’s biotechnology industry at BIO 2006 is part of the Governor’s Grow Wisconsin 2005 Agenda. In addition, Governor Doyle instructed Forward Wisconsin in his 2006 State of the State address to launch a new effort to brand Wisconsin as a stem cell leader.
He will appear at several events in Chicago with Dr. James Thomson to emphasize Wisconsin as the world leader of stem cell research, and the home of the National Stem Cell Bank. In less than a decade, the market for stem cell products could reach $10 billion and create 100,000 jobs. Governor Doyle has set the ambitious goal for Wisconsin to capture 10 percent of this market by 2015.
Forward Wisconsin is taking the lead in coordinating Wisconsin’s marketing effort at BIO 2006, along with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, the Wisconsin Biotechnology and Medical Device Association, and the Wisconsin Technology Council. The Wisconsin commitment to BIO 2006, in terms of both the budget and the number of attendees, will make it the largest tradeshow and conference presence Wisconsin has ever launched to promote an industry.
Over 20,000 biotech executives, investors, journalists, policy makers and scientists from more than 60 countries are expected to attend BIO 2006, which is making its first-ever stop in the Midwest. The business, science, and regulatory aspects of stem cell research and regenerative medicine will be a focal point at BIO 2006 with eight panel sessions covering the topic. BIO 2006 is organized by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and is the primary annual educational conference for the life science industry.
