Making History at #BIO2018

The 2018 BIO International Convention (BIO 2018) wrapped up four days of programming under the theme of “Make History.” Hosted by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization(BIO), BIO 2018 attracted thousands of U.S. and international attendees, celebrated innovations that have shaped the past 25 years and recognized the companies, patient groups, academic centers and investors that continue to advance novel solutions to the world’s toughest challenges…

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, BIO recognizes progress made

and the transformative innovations yet to come
Read the entire press release here

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“We believe that because of the work that’s been done and the work that will be done moving forward, anything is possible.” – Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker at BIO

What a history-making week in Boston! A whopping 18,289 U.S. and international attendees – the most in the last 10 years – joined us in the epicenter of the biotechnology industry for four days of inspiring programming, 46,916 partnering meetings (setting a new Guinness World Record for “The Largest Business Partnering Event”!) and entertainment (thanks, Diana Ross!).

Highlights of the 2018 BIO Convention.

  • We were joined throughout the week by trailblazers of our past and future, including:
    • Ashanthi De Silva, the first patient in the world to receive gene therapy, who joined BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood on stage – more than 25 years since her brave procedure.  Recipient of the first-ever BIO History Award.
    • 15 student winners of the 2018 BioGENEius Challenge – the premier competition for high school students from across the globe – who were recognized for their outstanding research and innovation in biotechnology. This year, finalists came from across the U.S., Canada and Germany.
    • Celebrities including award-winning journalist Robin Roberts, and actor, director and advocate Rob Reiner, who shared stories of triumph over cancer and addiction
  • U.S. Health and Human Services announced a new initiative authorized by the 21st Century Cures Act that will accelerate cutting-edge health technology aimed at health security challenges like early detection of illness and sepsis.
  • Executives from Johnson & Johnson and Boston University announced a significant new alliance to drive forward a vision of a world without lung cancer.
  • BIO awarded the first-ever Henri A. Termeer Biotechnology Visionary Award – created in honor of the late Genzyme CEO – to Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Desmond-Hellmann also joined Dr. Penny Heaton, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute (MRI) for a fireside chat to discuss the launch of the Gates MRI and its potential to advance the development of essential products to help the world’s poorest populations.
  • 180 educational sessions, including brand new tracks on genome editing, opioids, and corporate best practices.

Videos highlights of BIO 2018 can be found here.
Read the Original Article by Theresa Brady Here

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