programme Cordia is set to become the industry's largest biotech convention in Europe for trade, investment, partnership and information exchange, says organiser
Cordia's organisers have confirmed the keynote plenary speakers and primary conference session chairs for its first annual convention in Vienna, 2-4 December 2003.
Through a world-class conference, exhibition and partnering forum, Cordia is set to become the industry's largest biotech convention in Europe for trade, investment, partnership and information exchange.
Some of the most influential figures in the life sciences industry will open the conference with the theme 'Bringing Knowledge to Life: Europe's Life Science Opportunity on a Global Scale'.
The keynote speakers include: Professor Leena Peltonen, chair, Department of Molecular Medicine, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki.
Feike Sijbesma, chairman EuropaBio, member of the board of DSM. Philippe Pouletty, vice-chairman EuropaBio, president France Biotech.
Ysbrand Poortman, chairman, European Platform for Patients' Organisations, Science and Industry (EPPOSI).
The keynote speakers will put Europe's key assets under the microscope from a political, scientific, social and industrial perspective, and will present a framework for improving the global competiveness of the European biotechnology community and for meeting society's needs more effectively.
The keynote speakers will address the burning issues of the day.
The need for a regulatory environment to enable the biotech industry to bring new biomedical solutions to patients, and to foster the industry's contribution to a sustainable economy.
The need to double effort and investment in bioscientific education and research to ensure Europe fosters and retains its many talents and attracts the best ones from abroad.
Improving financial measures to stimulate the creation and growth of young innovative companies.
"Despite Europe's excellence and initial lead in biosciences, North America is now leading the way in turning breakthrough discoveries into revenue generating applications.
"One of Cordia's aims is to foster the right environment to enable Europe's biotechnology community to compete globally on a level playing field," said Hugo Schepens, secretary general, EuropaBio.
"For the first time outside North America, Cordia offers delegates and exhibitors the opportunity to learn from and do business with some the world's most respected names in the life sciences industry," added Schepens.
"This is the toughest environment the majority of European life science companies have yet faced; the timing of Cordia as a learning and business forum could not be more important for the sector and has been an important motivator in developing the conference programme," added Helen Abbott, senior consultant at Technomark.
Overall, the conference programme features some 300 speakers in 60 parallel sessions which are divided into five streams dedicated to addressing the catalysts and barriers to growth and innovation in the healthcare, agriculture, industrial and environmental sectors.
Cordia's exhibition will combine national pavilions from Europe, the USA, and Asia, with independent stands featuring leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and key industry advisors including VCs, lawyers and consultants.
