BIO 2001 Organizers Expecting Record Attendance

With the threat of protests outside the San Diego Convention Center and cutting-edge trends on display inside, the biotech industry's annual gathering likely will be anything but another dull summer convention.

BIO 2001 is set for June 24 through June 27 with an expected attendance of some 15,000

It also will provide a golden opportunity for local biotech firms and executives to show off San Diego's growing importance as an industry leader.

Joseph Panetta, president and CEO of Biocom, San Diego's industry association for the life sciences companies, said his staff and the Washington, D.C.-based national lobbying group Biotechnology Industry Association, or BIO, have been planning for the event all year.

And with the kickoff merely weeks away, Panetta can hardly contain his excitement.

"Advanced registration this year is three to four times ahead of what it was last year (for the BIO 2000 in Boston)," Panetta said.

That is excellent news given last year's record attendance of 12,000 people, he said.

Panetta hopes positive developments in biotech this year will boost interest.

Arguably the most exciting news was the completed sequencing of a working draft of the human genome in February, he said.

That research led to the identification of thousands of new drug targets and is poised to translate into many new therapies.

Promoting The Industry

This year's first-time ever public invitation to an event, that is a "Health Fest" on Embarcadero Park North, is likely to drum up support for local biotechnology groups, he said.

The "Health Fest" that kicks off BIO 2001 will offer nonscientific people the opportunity to learn about local health advocacy associations, such as the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association, and meet with researchers working in the local biotechnology community.

The BIO promotional fest, however, will also draw some less welcomed folks.

Among them will be William Slattery, a Poway-based coordinator of Beyond Bio Devastation, a coalition of more than 30 biotechnology opponents. They are planning a very different educational event of their own preceding the BIO 2001 event.

On June 22 and 23, speakers from industry-watchdog groups such as Food First and Organic Consumers Association of the Bay area will come to San Diego to discuss contentious issues pertaining to genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, Slattery said.

That is because "the safety of genetically modified organisms has not been proven and that responsibility lies on those who are developing those foods," Slattery said.

He also pointed to the need for more stringent requirements by the Food and Drug Administration to ensure GMOs are safe for human consumption and not harmful to the environment.

The first session will be held June 22 at the First Unitarian Church in Hillcrest. The second event is likely be held at a local amphitheater, Slattery predicted.

Thousands Expected To Protest

Slattery anticipates some 4,600 anti-biotech activists to fl ock to San Diego in protest of BIO 2001. He said street demonstrations such as those seen in Boston last year and in Seattle in 1999 are not planned at this time.

Panetta contended security will be ample to ensure "positive events," such as the Health Fest, won't be disrupted. Panetta also said he's not worried about opponents attending and instead is looking forward to an eventful program.

This year's theme, "Partnering for Life," reflects the positive environment of San Diego's biotechnology industry, he said.

The focus will be on San Diego's medical device and diagnostics firms, startups, and the agricultural biotech community.

Other highlights include discussions on the convergence of high-tech and biotech and biotech firms developing products for industrial and environmental use, Panetta said.

Julie Ames, vice president of corporate communications at Carlsbadbased BioQ Inc., which develops software tools for life sciences firms, said she's excited about BIO 2001.

"This is the first time BIO invited technology companies to participate, sponsor and engage with biotech companies," Ames said.

She hopes the launch of BioQ's first commercial product planned at the event attracts many suitors.

Planning is also high on Jennifer Andrews' agenda. The Biocom staff member said organizers have learned some valuable lessons from Boston.

Among them is how to avoid overflowing sessions that left many paying attendees frustrated last year.

She said several rooms have been set aside to broadcast presentations in real time if a particular session can't fit enough visitors.