SAN DIEGO: Colin Powell to offer keynote at June biotech convention
By BRADLEY J. FIKES - Staff Writer | ∞
San Diego County's biotech community highlighted the region's salubrious climate in this exhibition at the 2001 BIO convention, held in San Diego. North County Times File Photo San Diego County becomes the international capital of biotechnology from June 17-20, when the world's largest biotech trade group has its convention here.
The Biotechnology Industry Organization will hold its 2008 convention at the San Diego Convention Center, seven years after it last met in San Diego. Last week, the convention announced retired Gen. Colin Powell will be a keynote speaker, along with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
An expected 20,000-plus conventioneers will include scientists, representatives of biotech and life science companies, vendors, and government regions around the world that are encouraging biotech development. About 15,000 attended the 2001 BIO convention here.
The local biotech community has been deeply involved in planning the event, helping to develop scientific panels and handling logistics. Carlsbad-based Invitrogen Corp., which sells its biotech research products worldwide, is a convention sponsor.
Innovation is the convention's theme and will be on display, said Duane Roth, a member of the convention's oversight committee and executive director of Connect, a program that encourages technology-based startup companies.
"There's something called the Innovation Corridor that will feature local innovation, posters and presentations," Roth said. "There'll be a heavy presence by the big four research institutes here."
Those four are UC San Diego, The Scripps Research Institute, the Salk Institute and the Burnham Institute. Nestled within walking distance in La Jolla, these institutions are the source of research breakthroughs that form scores of biotech companies throughout the county.
Environmental biotechnology topics such as biofuels will get the spotlight this year, Roth said.
"I would expect the governor to speak to that," Roth said. "I would expect people like (genetic researcher) Craig Venter and others to be actively involved in that."
Venter is the founder of a San Diego-based company, Synthetic Genomics, which is attempting to develop genetically altered microbes to produce energy and for other industrial uses.
When they're not attending convention events, the guests will have the opportunity to personally inspect local research centers, companies and talk to private and governmental organizations interested in strengthening ties between San Diego and the global biotech community.
Rene Gurka of Berlin Partner, a German state-private development agency, said that while he's at the convention, he will talk up the Berlin-Brandenburg area as a good place to conduct European business.
"Companies that decide to invest in Berlin will be eligible for 35 percent of their investment money as a subsidy," Gurka said.
Berlin Partner also will help interested companies find suitable business and academic partners in the region, Gurka said. The companies just need to submit their requirements to the agency, and Berlin Partner will do the research.
Gurka said he has connections to San Diego through UCSD where, for example, he met Venter. However, he said, Berlin Partner wants to strengthen that relationship and will use the convention for that purpose.
Gurka will face a lot of competition: A total of 49 countries were represented at the last convention in San Diego, according to BIO, and about 70 are expected to attend this year's convention.
For more information on the convention, visit its Web site at http://www.bio2008.org.
Contact staff writer Bradley J. Fikes at (760) 739-6641 or bfikes@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.
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Chris wrote on Mar 31, 2008 2:44 PM:What has Colin Powell go to do with biotechknology? This guy helped lead us into war and that should be the antithises of biotechknology. Not only that but what does he know about the subject. But hey he will come and get tens of thousands of dollars for delivering his prpaganda. Why in the world do these organization keep throwing money at thes people that have name recognition but not much else. He got it wrong on the war so why does anybody think he can get it right about anything else. But hey, when we go to the doctor we can pay more just so Colin Powell and his ilk can get their huge fees for delivering some worthless speach.
Mike wrote on Mar 31, 2008 5:22 PM:It's unclear why we'll pay more to the doctor because of Colin Powell's talk, but I'll take Chis' word for it.
stephanie wrote on Apr 1, 2008 12:24 AM:maybe if you take a minute to listen to Mr Powell, you may learn something, because obviously you lack in knowledge. You should be proud to be an american that has such dignified and brilliant minds like Powell.
You are just living in you little hole, get out and go to listen and see, what education, and experience can lead too. Then make your comments.
Olaf wrote on Apr 1, 2008 8:14 AM:You tell'em Stephanie... Mr. Powell is a great man and a good spokeperson. I really wonder what all these people are going to do that hate the Bush's and Republicans so much and divide the world up are going to do when BUsh is gone. They will have to hate on the next politician who they disagree with. Like pitbulls they are.
Chubton wrote on Apr 1, 2008 11:32 AM:Mr. Powell was a great man until he turned into a puppet for Bush Jr.
It doesn't take any greatness or leadership to reiterate grounds for war when no credible evidence exists.
Clobbered enough wrote on Apr 1, 2008 11:40 AM:Olaf seems to think that if you don't like Bush - you are a divider. I say nay nay. The dividers were (and are) the raging right who have pestered and festered relationships with all Americans. They have poisoned the well and blackened our eyes. It's no wonder people are fighting back. If you get slapped around enough by righteous conservatives you swing back. I know that when Bush is out - I will have a party, and my cake won't be yellow. So - how will you deal with a democratic government Olaf? Will you join hands and sing Kumbaya or will you gripe for the next 2 decades?
Hey Chris wrote on Apr 1, 2008 11:41 AM:Haven't you ever heard of a Colin-oscopy? How much more biotech can you get??
2 steph wrote on Apr 1, 2008 11:43 AM:Your comment is an April Fools joke right?
Chris to Stephanie wrote on Apr 1, 2008 2:18 PM:Yes I remember all the lies that this dignified and brilliant mind spouted on February 5 2003.
Chris to Hey Chris wrote on Apr 1, 2008 2:21 PM:Yes I think you have a point. As for why we patients would pay more don't you think that all the things these groups do goes to business expense. Who do you think pays for that.
Hey Chris wrote on Apr 1, 2008 3:16 PM:I think the fat cats love the food bowl known as the medical industry. The trade shows, the drug ads (drug dealers on TV?) and the high priced speakers like Powell, are funded by sick people. And while I'm at it... I am amazed that Steve Francis is running for mayor in SD. Here's a guy who has made HUGE profits from brokering nurse labor to hospitals. Patients pay the bills and Steve gets wealthy. Why would anyone want to elect a guy that has profited from the runaway costs of medical care - and why would they want to elect him as mayor? Seems to me it's gonna cost SD an arm and a leg.
Chris to Hey Chris wrote on Apr 1, 2008 8:09 PM:Yes I know. It's just like with Colin Powell. These people see these people come out with all their pomp and circumstance and just believe. It's disguraging that the people only listen to all the bull but don't care enough to follow these people's actions.
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