Around Columbia
Statewide Conference to Bring Together Life Science Industry
South Carolina Industry Leaders Drive Innovation Discussions to Grow South Carolina Life Sciences Jobs
GREENVILLE, SC - Wednesday, November 14 and Thursday, November 15, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, South Carolina.
Growing jobs through innovation will be the focus of the South Carolina Biotechnology Industry Organization's (SCBIO) "What Next?" annual conference Wednesday, Nov. 14 and Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, South Carolina. A pre-conference event for health professionals about the advancing role of genetic medicine, called Personalized Awareness Day, will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
BlueCross BlueShield, Bon Secours St. Francis, Gibbs Cancer Center, Milliken Health Care Products, SCRA/SC Launch, Zeus, Iverson Genetics and others have helped bring top life science leaders in healthcare, government, innovation and industry to the event.
"These national leaders and panelists should engage entrepreneurs, university researchers, health care professionals and manufacturing executives because they are critical links in the innovation chain," said Wayne Roper, SCBIO president.
Conference speakers and their industry sponsors include:
• J Walker Smith, chairman of the Futures Company. Smith is a leading global market and trend consultant and has been described by Fortune magazine as "one of America's leading analysts on consumer trends." He is sponsored by Milliken Health Care Products.
• Leroy Hood, MD, PhD, president and co-founder of the Institute for Systems Biology. Dr. Hood is a founder of automated gene sequencing and a key proponent of a genomic revolution in health care. He is sponsored by Gibbs Cancer Center.
• Jeffrey Shuren, MD, JD, director of the FDA's Center for Medical Devices and Radiological Health. Dr. Shuren has served in a leadership role at FDA or on behalf of the agency on numerous initiatives. He is sponsored by Zeus, Inc.
• Brent Del Monte, vice president, federal government relations for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the leading congressional advocate for life sciences. Del Monte serves as the lead lobbyist for BIO. He is sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
• Daniel Adams, chairman of Protein Sciences. Protein Sciences is Adam's fifth start-up that includes investing in Genentech, BioGen Idec and several others. He is sponsored by SCRA/ SC Launch.
"The Affordable Care Act has a real impact on companies who serve the life science and bio-tech industries, and this is an opportunity to help companies better understand and address that impact," says Jim Shew, regional director of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. "We are very pleased to help bring national experts within the life sciences community into a forum where they interact with our South Carolina industry leaders."
The theme "What Next?" coincides with the SCBIO innovation agenda and the conference occurring one week after the general election. "We want to help people position themselves to grow and even lead in key areas, " said Roper. "Life sciences industries are in dynamic fields and the national elections will bring changes to the mix since we are so tied to health care."
More than 200 people are expected to attend the conference. The conference will also include a reception and presentation the night before for Personalized Medicine Awareness Day, featuring Dr. Leroy Hood, and hosted by Iverson Genetics.
"Personalized medicine is one of those new horizons that is changing everything about health care," Roper said. "We are talking about going from a 'trial and error' and 'one-size-fits-all' approach to the right drug at the right time for the right patient."
Zeus, Inc., Orangeburg, is sponsoring Jeffrey Shuren, the FDA's top regulator for medical devices. "As a global leader in the design and manufacture of medical device components, we know our customers are critically dependent on the FDA regulatory process and Dr. Shuren is the very highest expert to help them understand that process and the changes that are coming," said Bob Jennings, vice president of medical sales and marketing for Zeus, Inc.
Wednesday evening's keynote speaker will feature J. Walker Smith. "We are excited to bring J Walker Smith to Greenville because he is a top expert in global branding and market trends and meshes with Milliken's interest in growing its health care business," says Geoff Haas, senior business development manager for Milliken. "South Carolina companies are sure to get clear direction from his market and consumer research."
Along with keynote speakers, a start-up workshop for entrepreneurs and Personalized Medicine Day activities, the "What Next?" conference includes sessions on hot university technologies, dynamic company presentations and three tracks on bioscience, bio business and bio investing. For complete conference information or to register, please visit www.scbio.org.
About SCBIO
The South Carolina Biotechnology Industry Organization (SCBIO) is a statewide member-driven organization that advances life science business and innovation through collaboration, advocacy, workforce development and support. South Carolina life sciences businesses and industries grew 45 percent more jobs and added another 23 percent more businesses for nearly 15,000 total employment between 2001 and 2010, according to a 2012 Battelle Institute and Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) report. The average annual South Carolina wage in life sciences is $55,233. One sector, Medical Devices and Equipment, employs 4,226 across 76 companies.
SCBIO represents a broad array of bio businesses that are innovating: pharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical devices, medical equipment, agricultural bio and biofuels. SCBIO has offices in Greenville, Columbia and Charleston. For more information, visit www.scbio.org.
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