HARRISBURG, Pa., June 5, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central Pennsylvania will be joined by several business organizations, universities and biotechnology companies as it travels to Toronto this week to represent the region at the world's largest biotechnology conference.
"Our own biotechnology community encompasses the entire central Pennsylvania region, including State College, Bethlehem and Harrisburg," explained Mel Billingsley, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central Pennsylvania, "but advances in the life sciences and biotechnology are global in their impact."
According to the Bio2002 organization, advances in biotechnology product development have been impressive. 2001 brought more than 20 approvals for new biotechnology-based medicines and vaccines, and new indications, including breakthrough medications for leukemia, congestive heart failure, HIV infection, pulmonary arterial hypertension and life-threatening sepsis.
"It is our goal, as representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to highlight our region with its current and future advances in the life sciences," explained Dr. Billingsley, "we have a lot to offer in support of biotechnology in our region and this conference is the perfect venue to attract additional talent and companies here."
In April, Governor Schweiker announced $100 million in funding in three regions in Pennsylvania, which included over $33 million for central Pennsylvania. This region expects to create 1,000 new jobs and will focus on three areas of strength, including rational drug design and drug-delivery systems; advanced biomedical devices, with products ranging from artificial organs to surgical simulators; and bio-nanotechnology, an area which promises to bring new generations of micro-miniaturized devices and systems such as lab-on-a-chip.
Attendees from the region include: Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central Pennsylvania (www.lsgpa.com); the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania (www.tccp.org); The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry (www.pachamber.org); Penn State University (www.psu.edu); Penn State College of Medicine (www.hmc.psu.edu); Lehigh University (www.lehigh.edu); Ben Franklin Technology Partners (www.benfranklin.org); The Drucker Co. (www.druckerco.com); and Lab Support (www.labsupport.com)