BIO2003 DAY 1: Genetically-Modified Papayas to Big Pharma's Social Responsibilities

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Reported by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). (This is first in a series of articles on BIO2003 held June 21-25,2003). Last week, our nation's capital opened its arms to become the heart of the world's biotech industry during the BIO2003 conference. Over 16,000 people streamed into Washington DC to attend the 10th annual conference held by the biotechnology industry organization. Attendees included scientists, industry business leaders, foreign dignitaries and politicians, coming from 47 states and 57 countries.

The largest gathering of its kind, BIO2003 was virtually unrecognizable in breadth and scope from the organization's humble first formal gathering of 1,400 people held 10 years ago in Raleigh, North Carolina. This year, 4,490 international participants came from around the globe, including Taiwan (Republic of China), Germany, Switzerland and Australia. Canada had the largest non-U.S. presence with almost 900 participants and representatives from all 10 provinces.

An interesting twist at the beginning of the conference was a lavish media brunch held on Sunday, June 22, 2003. In an effort to demystify the specter of genetically modified foods and hopefully have the media attest to the quality, taste and safety of them, a three-course brunch was served with each menu item containing at least one ingredient that was genetically modified. After some raised eyebrows and hesitation over the unknown, we were emboldened by the fact that Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell and Jean-Pierre Garnier, Ph.D., CEO of GlaxoSmithKline were among the dignitaries joining us for the same meal.

Each table was embellished by the simple beauty of vibrant blue carnations, not dyed but genetically modified to attain the color. The Papaya Smoothie was made with a variety of disease resistant papaya that protects itself against a plant disease that had threatened to wipe out the Hawaiian papayan industry. The drink smoothed the way for the Roasted Root Napoleon, made of biotech squash, zucchini and oil processed from biotech corn, all resistant to plant disease and available today. The entree of Plum Port Glazed Shrimp with Plum Papaya Salsa included the biotech papayas as well as plums, rice, shrimp and peanuts, symbolic of biotech foods currently in development. The meal was topped off Chocolate Almond Toffee Parfait, made of silken tofu, derived from soybeans, which are currently available in a multitude of biotech varieties.

Governor Rendell followed the meal with a hearty greeting and an enthusiastic overview of the current state of the biotechnology industry in Pennsylvania. Proclaiming the state very successful in attracting and retaining biotech interests, Rendell reiterated the state's commitment to continued funding for biotech research and infrastructure projects. The governor was pleased to announce the expansion plans of B. Braun Biotech, Inc. (BBBI) (Allentown, Pennsylvania), a biotech engineering/manufacturing company and part of the Sartorius Group of Germany. The new 85,000-square-foot facility will accommodate production, sales, service and validation and will be located in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VI.

Jean-Pierre Garnier, Ph.D., CEO of GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) (Brentford, United Kingdom) then spoke about the various challenges facing successful drug manufacturers today. In speaking about all of the very good things a drug company does, including gainfully employing thousands of people, developing life-saving drugs and protecting the environment while doing so, Garnier also remarked that these things were not enough,.."they only give us the right to exist." Acknowledging that today's world health demands are almost overwhelming and big pharma is being pressured to take on more of a social responsibility, but always having to be mindful of..."answering to our stockholders." He called for more partnerships between companies and private or governmental agencies to offset the huge cost of developing, manufacturing and distributing drugs to those countries in dire need. Ventures comprised of companies providing the drug development and the others providing more of the hard dollar cost of facility and production funding.

Other speakers at the luncheon included Florence Wambugu, Ph.D., CEO, A Harvest Biotech Foundation International, Una S. Ryan, Ph.D., President & CEO, AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc.,Robert B. Horsch, Ph.D., VP Product & Technology Cooperation, Monsanto Company and Ganesh Kishore, Ph.D., VP Technology, DuPont Agriculture & Nutrition. It was an informative start to a week that promised and soundly delivered a wealth of information and hope for everyone with an interest in living profitable, longer and healthier lives.

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