Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
June 16, 2008

International Convention to Showcase
Atlantic Canada�s Contributions to Biotechnology Innovation

The Atlantic Canada Bio-Industries Alliance will lead a delegation of bioscience-based companies and organizations to San Diego, California, to attend an international conference, with help from the Federal and Provincial Governments under the Canada/Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development (IBDA). The BIO 2008 International Conference, being held June 17-20, 2008, is the largest annual meeting and exhibition for the biotechnology industry in the world.

�Our government�s support of this mission demonstrates our commitment to the development of Atlantic Canada�s bioscience industry on the global stage,� said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). �This conference presents a unique opportunity to raise the international profile of Atlantic Canada�s growing industry by highlighting its contributions to biotechnology innovation.�

�BIO 2008 is the ideal venue where life science professionals can learn about new and innovative technologies in biotechnology, seek out new collaborations, exhibit their innovations, carry out investment prospecting as well as explore the impact of biotechnology on today's society,� said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development for Newfoundland and Labrador. �We�re committed to supporting initiatives that enable Newfoundland and Labrador-based companies with the ability to acquire knowledge that best positions them in the global market.�

�Atlantic Canada plays a significant role within Canada�s biotechnology presence at BIO each year,� said Rory Francis, Executive Director of the Prince Edward Island BioAlliance. �The conference enables our region�s companies to showcase groundbreaking technologies to over 20,000 attendees and also helps our entrepreneurs gain access to other research and commercialization opportunities, including exposure to venture capital resources to fuel early-stage development.�

The Atlantic Canada delegation will participate in one-on-one business meetings and attend the official opening of the Canadian Pavilion, with the Honourable Tony Clement, federal Minister of Health, as guest speaker. The Atlantic Canada Bio-Industries Alliance will host an Atlantic Canada reception for invited international guests to meet the delegation from this region.

One of the participating companies has been chosen to make a presentation to the BIOBusiness Forum. Dr. Randal Chase, president and CEO of Nova Scotia-based ImmunoVaccine Technologies Inc. will speak on the commercialization and licensing potential of its patented vaccine platforms, VacciMax� and DepoVax. The market opportunities for ImmunoVaccine Technologies are broad, offering breakthroughs ranging from therapeutic cancer applications to infectious disease vaccines.

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2008 06 16                   1:25 p.m.