Michigan Biotech Leaders Converge In DC For BIO Conference

Leaders from Michigan's rapidly growing life sciences industry will join biotechnology experts from around the globe at the 2011 BIO International Convention taking place June 27-30 in Washington, D.C.

Thirty-six Michigan life sciences companies, universities, research institutions, and local partners will showcase their services and accomplishments in the Pure Michigan Pavilion at the conference, hosted by the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

"Michigan is well known for its strong manufacturing base, but we also have a rich collection of research universities and companies that make our state a hub of biomedical research," said MEDC president and CEO Mike Finney. "This global event for the biotechnology industry will give Michigan's biotech leaders the chance to discuss issues affecting healthcare, agriculture and the environment, and talk about why our state is a great place for biotech companies to grow."

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 Pure Michigan Pavilion will focus on four clusters:
* Contract research and contract manufacturing organizations.
* Universities and technology transfer.
* Clinical trials -- health care systems, clinical research facilities and expert clinical practitioners with the know-how to design clinical studies, recruit patients, assess drug candidates and help move them to market.
* Research and development/research products – Therapeutics, diagnostics, ag-bio, chemicals, food and nutrition, research products, informatics, bio-based technologies and biofuels.

A 2009 University Research Corridor study found more than 79,062 Michigan residents now work in the state's life sciences industry, with the average worker's salary climbing from $64,602 in 1999 to $83,494 in 2006 -- nearly triple the state average rate of growth for all industries.

In biological life sciences jobs, making up 75 percent of the total, the average wage was $95,018 per year, while physical, engineering and biological jobs paid an average of $115,960 per year.

For more information on the 2011 BIO International Convention, visit http://convention.bio.org/.