2011 BIO International Convention To Host New Forum On Diabetes

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 04 May 2011 - 4:00 PST


In an effort to raise awareness for one of the most costly chronic diseases facing adults and children, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), together with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), will feature a two-day diabetes forum for the first time at its 2011 BIO International Convention. The Convention will take place June 27-30, 2011, in Washington, D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and is expected to attract an estimated 15,000 attendees from around the world.

The sessions within Diabetes Forum: Emerging Strategies, Challenges and Partnerships will showcase key opportunities and developments in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, including the latest research in novel therapies, vaccines, and biomarkers. The Forum will also seek to address the global impact of the disease and its burden on healthcare systems, as well as showcase commercial, financing and medical trends to develop promising technologies and therapies to treat and cure diabetes.

"We are pleased to partner with JDRF on this two-day forum that will raise awareness for the disease and highlight the urgency for continued research for treatments and cures among industry leaders," said Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO. "These sessions on diabetes will create a synergistic environment for our attendees and exhibitors by bringing together the advocacy and commercial sectors in an effort to keep the promising science of biotech moving forward to develop breakthrough treatments and, one day, cures for the most debilitating diseases."

The disease, estimated to cost more than $200 billion in health care and lost productivity costs[1] is the leading cause of kidney failure, nerve damage, non-traumatic lower-limb amputations and blindness, and is a major cause of heart disease and stroke. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, medical expenses incurred by the 25.8 million Americans with diabetes average more than two times higher than that of people without diabetes, and the number of patients with diabetes worldwide is estimated to grow to 435 million by 2030.

"The incidence of type 1 diabetes in people of all ages has grown dramatically in the past two decades, with a marked increase especially in children between the ages of one to five years. That's why JDRF is focused on preventing the type 1 diabetes in all people who are at risk and supporting ongoing research that will lead to better treatments and cures for those living with the disease," said Dr. Richard Insel, Chief Scientific Officer of JDRF. "The BIO International Convention is an ideal venue for us to forge discussions with leading industry experts in the medical, pharmaceutical and technology industries focused on developing products and therapies that will ultimately benefit the lives of the millions of Americans living with diabetes today."

Sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company and Johnson & Johnson, the Diabetes Forum will be held Wednesday, June 29 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and Thursday, June 30 from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.

The BIO International Convention is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry, offering networking and partnering opportunities with policymakers, scientists, CEOs and newsmakers, and hundreds of sessions covering biotech trends, policy issues and technological innovations. The Convention also features the BIO Business Forum, a unique platform for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic research institutions, and investors from around the world to gather and discuss strategic opportunities. For registration, conference agenda and exhibitor information, visit 2011 BIO International Convention.

[1] The National Diabetes Economic Barometer, The National Changing Diabetes Program, 2008

Source:
BIO

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