Thriving Illinois Biotech Industry Participates in BIO Mid-America VentureForum

Contact:
Biotechnology Industry Organization
Tracy Krughoff
Director, Events Communications
202-312-9274 Direct
202-488-6304 Fax
tkrughoff@bio.org
www.bio.org

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO) announces speakers, presenting companies and involvement planned for the BIO Mid-America VentureForum Sept. 24-26, 2007 in Milwaukee, Wis.

“The Illinois biotech industry is maturing rapidly, and we are proud to participate in this important conference to facilitate and encourage partnering and financing opportunities to biotech companies in the Midwest,” said David Miller, president of iBIO.

Several Illinois companies will be presenting their business plans in an effort to attract partnering and financing opportunities, including Chromatin Inc, Immune Cell Therapy, InformMed, Ocularis Pharma, Inc., and SanoGene Therapeutics Inc.

The conference is the only national event in the Midwest focused on the life sciences sector. BIO Mid-America VentureForum will bring together life science investors, CEOs, and business development executives. The conference will include company presentations, panel discussions, and for the first time, a partnering forum.

“This event helps to fulfill BIO’s mission of supporting and growing the industry by creating opportunities for companies to connect through partnerships that will ultimately deliver the promise of biotech,” said Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO.

Biosciences is a key sector for developing early-stage companies in Illinois, according to the report, “Growing the Nation’s Bioscience Sector: State Bioscience Initiatives 2006,” released by Battelle and BIO.

The report indicates that investment and implementation of policies to create a supportive business climate for bioscience companies has lead to economic benefits in the state of Illinois. There are more than 23,000 workers in the biotech workforce in Illinois. Furthermore, the average annual wage of bioscience workers is approximately $42,000, greater than the average private sector annual wage.

For more information on BIO Mid-America and to register, visit http://bma.bio.org. Advance media registration is now available through September 20, 2007. To register in advance, please visit http://www.bio.org/news/pressreg. Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the news media. Reporters and editors working full-time for print or broadcast news organizations may register onsite with valid media credentials.