BIO 2005 WRAP-UP: They Came, They Saw, They Hope To Cure and To Cash in

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Reported by Annette Kreuger, Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). As BIO 2005 drew to a close, with its bewildering array of people, activities, and information, it was exceedingly evident that the quest for cures is, indeed, an international one. During the annual convention, held this year in Philadelphia from June 19-23, the news was too often focused on the lavish gala receptions, expensive handouts, and ill-informed people dressed as tomatoes. It proved easy to overlook the science and dedication to helping mankind that gave birth to this most global of industries. What is apparent is that without these sometimes troubled geniuses, we would all be in serious trouble ourselves if we became ill.

The people that streamed into Philly from across the world had a number of agendas on their plate. Some, like Pharma giant Wyeth, put its over 100-year old history of science and discovery on display. The company illustrated, through an interactive exhibit, just how invaluable its contributions to the world's health have been. Go ahead and rail about the corporate machine, but from its diphtheria vaccines to over-the-counter Advil, Wyeth products have become essential in our everyday lives.

Johnson & Johnson, a Pharma heavyweight by any indicator, collectively owning over 200 companies, decided to make a coffee bar the center of its huge display. It was almost surreal to hear one of J&J's normally all-about-business Vice Presidents of Research brag that J&J's cappuccino was the best in show! But then again, maybe a company that employs over 100,000 people in 57 countries and produces everything from the classic Band-Aid adhesives to HIV treatments deserves a moment to let its collective hair down.

BIO 2005 wasn't only about the big corporations, such as Genentech and Amgen, with their robust product pipelines and billion-dollar manufacturing facilities. There were much smaller, yet very promising, enterprises to be found among all that established power.

The well-dressed man up on stage at a lavish closing gala singing a karaoke version of 'Mambo' might easily have been dismissed as just another overpaid young bio-turk enjoying himself, while people suffered across the globe. That is, until one realized that his carbon copy, in the form of an identical twin brother, was sitting in the audience, eager to discuss how a shared deadly allergy to shellfish had driven them to form a start-up innovative drug delivery company in North Carolina.

There was a small booth on the convention floor, easy to overlook for its lack of dazzle, manned by one female scientist, enthusiastically discussing how her company's research was making great strides in the field of early diagnostics for the detection of cancer and other killers. It is somewhat mind-boggling to be in the presence of such sheer brainpower, knowing that perhaps, one day, one of these people and their research will save your life.

Along with the companies present, the economic development associations were out in full force. They came from America's heartland, Nebraska, for example, in a booth illustrating the many reasons why companies should locate in their state, stressing its relatively low cost of living, high quality of life, and strong educational infrastructure.

The Canadian plains province of Manitoba refused to be counted out, showing that behind their polar bear handouts and stuffed Ebola virus toys, that they are serious about biotech and all the promise it holds. Among the "ehs" and flashing red Canada pins, an awful lot of important science was under discussion.

The crew from California was collectively unimpressed with its state's lack of financial support for BIO 2005. The displays contained within the exhibit were funded mainly by those California companies in attendance. Several discussions with company executives from the governator's state uncovered a fear and disgust that the state has grown complacent with its current flush of success in attracting so much bio business. With so many sites from across the world aggressively seeking a piece of the biotech pie, all bearing lots of cash and cheap land, this is clearly not the time to rest on anyone's laurels. Detroit's fate with the automotive industry should serve as a cautionary tale for anyone who thinks things don't change, and quickly.

It is near impossible to sum up everything about BIO 2005 in any one article, or any ten. The deals made, ranging from investments in promising intellectual property to possible sites for future manufacturing plants, will continue to unfurl throughout the coming months and years. Companies will merge and some will disappear altogether. Foreign companies will rename themselves to be more globally accepted and try to convince corporations to manufacture more of our drugs overseas. Tiny Puerto Rico will continue to leverage its strength as the United States' major supplier of prescription drugs and work to establish itself as a place for serious drug research, as well.

The benefits of biotech should never be overlooked. Far beyond the drugs and treatments, the list of people and industries it enriches is astounding, a partial list includes process and lab equipment manufacturers, staffing agencies, law firms, the architectural and construction industries, cleanroom suppliers, signage companies, uniform suppliers, home builders, software companies, and universities. Believe this, one way or another, biotech makes all of our lives better.

For details on the Pharmaceutical & Biotech Industry check out Industrialinfo.com's 2005 Pharmaceutical Industry Forecast.

Industrial Information Resources (IIR) is a Marketing Information Service company that has been doing business for over 22 years. IIR is respected as a leader in providing comprehensive market intelligence pertaining to the industrial processing, heavy manufacturing, and energy-related industries throughout the world.