Northbank Communications reports on recent conferences

Northbank staff have been out and about, pounding the beat and pressing the flesh at leading events in the life science calendar in support of our clients and, of course, to meet new companies as part of our own business development efforts. Conference attendance helps keep us up-to-date with what's going on, so here's what we gathered since August 2005.

Human Proteome Organisation (HUPO), Munich
28 August - 1 September 2005

In its fourth year, The Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) Congress was attended by Dr Douglas Pretsell. HUPO is a meeting that brings together the leading minds of proteomics in both industry and academia. The theme for this year's congress was 'From defining the proteome to understanding the function'. HUPO has established a format over the previous three years with two components, a conference with a comprehensive speaker platform covering both academic and industry approaches to proteomics and an exhibition with industry stands and posters. This year, the organisers had to move the venue from the Technical University of Munich to the International Congress Centre, Munich because demand for exhibition and conference delegate spaces meant the original venue was too small. With 60 exhibitors covering most of the leading players in proteomics and several hundred delegates, this meeting is certainly making its mark as one of the leading events in this sector worldwide. Several Northbank clients including Biacore, Sigma Aldrich, NextGen Sciences and Genomic Solutions were exhibiting, and the feedback from the meeting was that this year was a resounding success. www.hupo2006.com

SBS, Geneva, 11 - 15 September 2005

The 11th Annual SBS Conference and Exhibition "From Targets to Candidates" took place in Geneva and encompassed all aspects of drug discovery where high-throughput principles may be applied. Lorna Watson attended the event and took the opportunity to meet with new clients and raise the profile of Northbank Communications. The meeting this year devoted individual sessions to various target classes to encourage discussions around specialised technical approaches. A common theme at the event was the increase in the use of cell-based assays for drug discovery, and the need for industrialisation of cell production and delivery. Several Northbank clients including Biacore, Sigma Aldrich, BioImage, Evotec Technologies and Genomic Solutions were exhibiting. Feedback from exhibitors was that the exhibit hall was disappointingly quiet in comparison with the USA SBS meetings. www.sbsonline.org

EPIC, London, 13 September 2005

Katja Stout, Associate Director at Northbank attended EPIC this year. The conference provided an intimate networking forum for biotechnology companies in Europe for partnering and investment. 90 companies presented and were divided into various therapeutic streams, including cancer, CNS and anti-infectives. The streamlined presentations were designed to be more attractive to investors and big pharma. There was also an online partnering system available this year providing a one-on-one partnering facility which was a useful addition although the conference was not as busy as other events. www.epicbiotech.com

PABORD, London, 14 - 15 September 2005

Peter Colley attended PABORD, which was held this year at Olympia, London and was again well attended by both delegates and exhibitors. There was a good mix of exhibitors, most of whom seemed satisfied with the level and quality of attendance, number of enquiries and overall organisation. In 2006, it moves out to the ExCeL centre. http://springwell.homestead.com/PABORD_partnering.html

Sachs-Bloomberg Biotech in Europe Investor Forum, Zurich
4 - 5 October 2005

Over the last four years Sachs Associates has established the Biotech in Europe Investors Forum in conjunction with Bloomberg L.P. as one of the busiest and most productive platforms for biotechnology and venture capital in Europe. This year's event, which took place in Zurich on the 4th and 5th October, saw 67 companies from Europe and beyond presenting to an audience of around 440 including 270 investors. The Forum provides prime executive level networking and deal making opportunities for early to mid stage biotech companies who are fundraising, IPO candidates and small listed companies. Emma Palmer, Northbank's Associate Director in charge of Financial Communications and Investor Relations, was invited to chair one of the sessions on Therapeutics and enjoyed a lively session with a diverse set of companies and a large audience. Dr Douglas Pretsell also attended and several of Northbank's clients were presenting at the meeting including Scil Technology, Borean Pharma, Santaris, MNLpharma, IntegraGen, Plethora Solutions and Ablynx. www.sachsforum.com/zurich.html

BioPartnering Europe, London, 9 - 13 October 2005

Adam Michael, Katja Stout and Sue Charles attended BPE, one of Europe's longest running partnering events and which kicked off the start of the first World Life Science Week. In the past, BPE has featured many young companies which have gone on to become the industry's most important players and this year was no different with 30 companies taking part in the Emerging Company presentations. The Open House, a trademark feature of BPE, enabled 100 companies to give interactive presentations in specially constructed 4 x 4 metre booths. Presenters were available during the 2.5-hour sessions to answer questions and lively discussions were seen and heard throughout the venue. The conference ended on a high-spirited note with the World Life Science Week Gala Evening Reception held within London's exclusive courtrooms, The Royal Courts of Justice. www.techvision.com/bpe

CORDIA, London, 11 - 13 October 2005

CORDIA, overlapped with both BioPartnering Europe and UKTI's Biotechnology Business Exchange. These latter 2 events were hosted in Central London while Cordia was held at The ExCeL Centre in London's docklands. Peter Colley attended from Northbank and noted that although a great venue, attendance was very poor both by delegates and exhibitors. The organisers are going to have to work hard to make this a successful event in the future. www.cordiaconvention.com

BIO-Europe, Dresden, 7 - 9 November 2005

Northbank's Adam Michael, Marc Egelhofer and Christelle Kerouedan attended BIO-Europe, an event which brings together international decision-makers in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and financial sectors. This year's event, held in Dresden, saw more than 1450 delegates taking part in networking opportunities, workshops, and over 5000 private, pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings. Presentations were made by companies ranging from biotechs to big pharma and provided interesting industry insights. At the top of the agenda was the issue of reimbursement, the high price of drugs in the US and the distribution of the costs of drug development more globally. The US Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is calling for global policies to spread the cost of R&D. BIO asserts that the sustainability of the industry, and hence its ability to meet both consumer and political demands for new therapeutics, must come through consistent and appropriate reimbursement. Northbank was the appointed media partner and attending press included the Financial Times, FT Deutschland, DowJones, BioCentury, BioWorld and Genetic Engineering News. www.ebdgroup.com/bioeurope

The Australasian Life Science Forum, London, 17 - 18 November 2005

The Australasian Life Science Forum, organised by Elixir Ltd and Intersuisse Bioscience Managers, was a chance for investors and journalists to find out more about a series of listed Australia- and New Zealand-based life sciences companies operating in a variety of growing and interesting fields. With London being the home of both the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and the Stock Exchange's Main List, it was an appropriate location for firms which may wish to tap into European capital markets to support their growth. In addition to the company presentations, a series of panel debates also took place. Supporting Northbank's role as the conference's communications adviser and a sponsor, Emma Palmer spoke on the importance of financial communications, and on presentation skills. With excellent networking opportunities and an informal atmosphere, the forum was a great success.

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