[June 05, 2018]

The BIO International Convention Begins Day Two with Keynote Speech from Broadcast Journalist Robin Roberts

The 2018 BIO International Convention, the world's premier life sciences event, entered its second day of compelling programming under the theme "Make History." Hosted by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the Convention will run through Thursday, June 7 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

Today's programming will begin with a keynote speech from ABC's Robin Roberts, a cancer survivor and award-winning journalist. Among the many and varied programming elements will be the second day of the Start-Up Stadium competition, an exciting and interactive experience where investors and other biotechnology subject matter experts provide live feedback and judge six-minute pitches presented by biotech start-ups.

"The greatest innovations come from young companies fueled by passion and drive to solve the world's biggest health challenges, especially diseases that afflict the neediest populations," said Charlotte Hubbert, Partner, Gates Foundation Venture Capital, and one of the Start-Up Stadium judges. "The Start-Up Stadium is providing invaluable opportunities for these companies that could revolutionize global health and improve the lives of all people."

Tuesday, June 5 Highlights Include:

• Keynote: Robin Roberts, Co-Anchor, ABC News' Good Morning America and Best Selling Author

Robin Roberts will be interviewed by BIO President & CEO Jim Greenwood for a discussion about her personal triumphs over breast cancer and a rare blood disorder and her trailblazing career in journalism. 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Level 3 Ballroom

• PLEASE NOTE: Keynotes are open to Convention Access and Partnering Attendees. Seating is first-come, first-served.--

• Start Up Stadium: Empowering the Cutting-Edge Companies of Tomorrow, TodayStart-Up Stadium is designed to provide start-up companies with the opportunity to engage key members of the investment community, venture philanthropy groups, and BIO attendees. Stop by Start-Up Stadium between education sessions or meetings to watch these impressive companies pitch their products to a panel of investor judges.
  • 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | North Lobby Level 1
  • 02:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | North Lobby Level 1
• Press Conference: Exosome-Based Drug Delivery Systems

MIT (News - Alert) researchers announce new findings on exosome-based drug therapies and discuss future application in personalizing the individual patient's disease treatment.10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Room 153B Level 1

• FDA Town Hall: Roundtable discussion of FDA Center Priorities

An interactive, moderated roundtable discussion of FDA center priorities followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience. Topics that will be addressed during the roundtable include the FDA's perspectives on critical topics such as PDUFA VI implementation and efforts to advance innovation and expedite patient access to novel therapies.11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Room 207 Level 2

• Super Session: The Business of Biotech and Sports -A conversation with Jonathan Kraft, President, The Kraft Group & New England Patriots and Bill Sibold, Head of Sanofi Genzyme

A conversation between Jonathan Kraft, President, The Kraft Group & New England Patriots and Bill Sibold, Head, Sanofi Genzyme where they will discuss the business of biotech and sports and focus on such topics as: building teams in business and sports, collaborations, innovation, leadership and culture, social responsibility and Boston as the City of Champions in both sports and biotech.12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Room 205ABC, Level 2

• Fireside Chat: Dr. Chris Austin - Director, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH

This opening Translational Research Forum Fireside Chat includes leaders in academic, industry, and the National Center for Advanced Technology Sciences (NCATS) who will focus on new efforts to increase industry-academia partnerships that reflect the unique nature of bioscience innovation.1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. | Room 206AB, Level 2

• Fireside Chat: Australia: Island of Research and Innovation

A discussion with the Honorable Greg Hunt, Minister of Health, Commonwealth of Australia.2:30 p.m. - 2:55 p.m. | Room 204AB, Level 2

• Fireside Chat: Understanding the Patient Voice: Unique Perspectives on Healthcare

A fireside chat with Julie Gerberding, Executive Vice President & Chief Patient Officer at Merck, Ashanthi De Silva, Writer and Rare Disease Editor at The Mighty, Gabriel Maldonado, Executive Director and CEO at TRUEVOLUTION, and Bryce Olson (News - Alert), Global Marketing Director at Intel for a discussion with patient advocates about their paths to diagnosis and how patient advocacy can bring new treatments to patients.4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. l Room 259B, Level 2

Wednesday, June 6 Highlights Include:

• Fireside Chat: Deval Patrick, Managing Director, Double Impact, Bain Capital

A fireside chat with former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. l Room 205ABC, Level 2

• Fireside Chat: John Maraganore, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals

A fireside chat with John Maraganore, PhD, CEO at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Maraganore is leading Alnylam as they prepare to launch the first RNAi therapy. Prior to joining Alnylam, he held senior leadership roles at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Biogen and ZymoGenetics.2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. l Room 254A, Level 2

• Fireside Chat: Mikael Dolsten, MD, PhD, President, Worldwide Research and Development, Pfizer, Inc.

A fireside chat with Mikael Dolsten, MD, PhD, President of Worldwide Research and Development at Pfizer. Dr. Dolsten is focused on advancing Pfizer's scientific leadership in small molecule medicines, biotherapeutics and vaccines.3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. l Room 254A, Level 2

Follow the 2018 Convention @BIOConvention and join the conversation @IAmBIOtech.

Media registration is open Tuesday from 6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

About BIO
BIO is the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIOtechNOW is BIO's blog chronicling "innovations transforming our world" and the BIO Newsletter is the organization's bi-weekly email newsletter. Subscribe to the BIO Newsletter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005115/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]