Palmetto Biotechnology Alliance hosts annual conference in Charleston, SC

The Palmetto Biotechnology Alliance (PBA), an organization that is dedicated to expanding biotechnology in South Carolina industries, will host its annual statewide meeting and conference on September 18 and 19, 2008, at the North Charleston Convention Center.

This year’s conference will focus on enabling SC companies, with growing trends and resources in biotechnology, to compete in a global market. Seminars at the conference will cover a variety of topics aimed at expanding opportunities for South Carolina in the field of biotechnology. Some topics will highlight issues involving agriculture, food & beverage, and chemical industries.

Conference topics will include:
·”The Queensland Life Science Success Story”

·”Biochemistry Demand in the Chemical Industry and the Opportunity for South Carolina”

·”Applications of Agricultural Biotechnology in Forestry and the ArborGen Story”

·”Biofuels and the Osage Project in SC”

·”Developing Ethanol from Cellulose in SC”

Seminar speakers will include:
·Former Premier and Queensland Government Trade Commissioner to the Americas, Peter Beattie, who will act as a key note speaker. Beattie will share the success story of life sciences in Queensland, Australia. Beattie resides in Los Angeles, CA.

·Dr. Gregory Milman, Director of the Office of Innovation and Special Programs, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

·Dr. Harish Radkrishna, Senior Scientist of the Strategic Research Department of the Coca-Cola Company

·Damien Perriman, Business Leader of Biosciences of Dow Chemical Company

·James Mann, Vice President of Business Development & Finance of ArborGen. ArborGen is a company that performs research in SC dealing with energy and cross-pollination.

“Biotechnology is a rapidly growing industry,” said PBA President, Beth Meredith, “and at PBA our goal is to help facilitate South Carolina in this industry. This conference serves as a great medium for businesses to benefit from networking and information sharing.”

Registration for the conference prior to August 30, 2008 is $250 for members and $300 for non-members and includes all conference materials and meals. After August 30, the cost is $300 for members and $350 for non-members. For more information visit palmettobio.org or call Katie McQueeney at 843.876.1900.

About PBA
The Palmetto Biotechnology Alliance (PBA) is the South Carolina affiliate for the global Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). PBA is an association of individuals and organizations dedicated to growing the biotechnology industry in South Carolina. This organization works on behalf of its members to expand the infrastructure, legislative, and funding requirements that help life science companies thrive. PBA also offers its members valuable networking opportunities that allow key players from the business, research, investment, government, and support service sectors to establish relationships.