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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Media contacts:
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
NL Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 709-690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca
|
Rose May Gallant
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-3034
Rose-May.Gallant@acoa-apeca.gc.ca |
2008 06 16
1:25 p.m. |