BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 2018 BIO International Convention, the world’s premier life sciences event, today kicked off four days of inspiring keynote speeches, fireside chats and educational programming to celebrate 25 years of biotechnology innovation and cutting-edge advancements under the theme “Make History.”
“Today marks the start of what is sure to be the most exciting, inspiring and thought-provoking industry gathering in biotechnology”
Hosted by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), BIO 2018 is expected to attract more than 16,000 attendees and 1,800 exhibitors from 66 countries. This year’s Convention also includes 19 educational tracks covering all sectors of biotechnology including genome editing, opioids, digital health, oncology, personalized medicine, food and agriculture and more.
“Today marks the start of what is sure to be the most exciting, inspiring and thought-provoking industry gathering in biotechnology,” said Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO. “The next four days will provide countless opportunities for enrichment and partnership that will undoubtedly influence the next 25 years of innovation.”
The Convention will also be making an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® attempt for “The Largest Business Partnering Event.” BIO’s industry-leading One-on-one Partnering™ system will facilitate nearly 1,400 partnering meetings per hour during the event with the grand total expected to approach over 45,000 business-to-business meetings over the course of four days.
Convention Highlights Include:
- Keynote: Robin Roberts, Co-Anchor, ABC News’ Good Morning America and Best Selling Author
Tuesday, June 5
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.
- Keynote: Rob Reiner, Actor, Director and Advocate
Wednesday, June 6
BIO President & CEO Jim Greenwood will speak with Rob Reiner about the importance of advocacy for those living with substance abuse and will share his family’s poignant story of overcoming addiction.
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.
- The first Henri A. Termeer Biotechnology Visionary Award
Created in honor of the late Genzyme CEO who was instrumental in transforming Boston into a thriving hub of life science research, development and innovation, this award will be given for the first time to an individual who reflects the leader’s innovative spirit and transformative impact on patients’ lives. Announced during Wednesday’s keynote, the award will be given annually. - 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
Tuesday, June 5
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: Understanding the Patient Voice: Unique Perspectives on Healthcare
Tuesday, June 5
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, 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. | Room 259B, Level 2 - Fireside Chat: John Maraganore, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
Wednesday, June 6
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. | Room 254A, Level 2 - Fireside Chat: Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellman, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Dr. Penny Heaton, Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute
Thursday, June 7
A fireside chat with Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellman, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Dr. Penny Heaton, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute, to discuss the roles of both organizations and their strategies to combat infectious diseases globally.
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | Room 253ABC, Level 2
Monday Highlights Include:
- Fireside Chat: Albert Bourla, DVM, PhD, Chief Operating Officer, Pfizer, Inc.
Monday, June 4
A fireside chat with Albert Bourla, COO, of Pfizer, one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies. With almost 25 years at Pfizer, Dr. Bourla has overseen the company’s commercial, strategy, manufacturing and global product development functions. He is also a member of the Company’s Executive Leadership Team.
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Room 210C, Level 2
- Fireside Chat: Paul Stoffels, MD, Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer of Johnson & Johnson
Monday, June 4
A fireside chat with Paul Stoffels, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Johnson & Johnson. Dr. Stoffel helps set the company’s agenda and chairs the Johnson & Johnson R&D Management Committee. He joined the company in 2002 with the acquisition of Virco and Tibotec.
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Room 210C, Level 2
- Super Session: What’s Next: The Landscape of Innovation in 2018 and Beyond
Monday, June 4
A forward-looking discussion of what’s next for R&D in the global pharmaceutical industry, highlighting noteworthy differences in disease areas of focus and therapeutic targets relevant for companies of all sizes. We will share perspectives on geographic considerations including regions serving as hotbeds of innovative activity and seek to identify the drivers that will shape future areas of value within the pharmaceutical industry.
3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. | Room 205ABC, Level 2
Follow the 2018 Convention @BIOConvention and join the conversation @IAmBIOtech.
Complimentary media registration is available for qualified reporters working full time for print, broadcast and web publications with valid press credentials.
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.