Partnering For Global Health Forum Puts Focus On Health Needs For Developing World

Main Category: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 24 Mar 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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More than 400 attendees gathered in Reston, Va. this week to participate in the Partnering for Global Health Forum, co-hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and the BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH). The conference was also sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The international partnering meeting focused on accelerating the development of medicines for neglected diseases of the developing world.

"We are thrilled at the success of this event and the potential it has to accelerate the research and development of biotech medicines to address global health needs," said Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO.

Leaders from than biopharmaceutical industry, potential funders and international health experts gathered to foster collaborations and seek new, market-based solutions for global health issues. More than 40 companies participated in the Forum, which boasted a full schedule of roundtable discussions, educational sessions, presentations and partnering and networking opportunities.

Morning plenary sessions focused on the global health epidemic, with keynotes from Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, Ph.D., who discussed the scope of the global health problem during Tuesday's plenary address.

U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) provided Wednesday's morning plenary on the need to drive innovation in the area of global health, and his support of the FDA Priority Review Voucher system. Under this system, a manufacturer that receives U.S. approval of a treatment for a neglected disease - diseases that are infectious or parasitic and typically affect large populations in poor developing nations - could receive a voucher from the FDA for the expedited review of a second product of the firm's choice.

To learn more about the Partnering for Global Health Forum, check http://www.pgh.org.

About BVGH

BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH), a non-profit organization, is harnessing the resources of the biotechnology industry to create new medicines for neglected diseases of the developing world. Our mission is to break down barriers that hinder industry involvement in global health product development and to catalyze new industry investment. http://www.bvgh.org

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,150 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology technologies. BIO also produces the annual BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. http://www.bio.org

Upcoming BIO Events

- BIO-Europe Spring
April 7-9, 2008
Madrid, Spain

- BIO National Venture Conference
April 22-23, 2008
Boston, Mass.

- World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing
April 27-30, 2008
Chicago, Ill.

- 2008 BIO International Convention
June 17-20, 2008
San Diego, Calif.

Biotechnology Industry Organization