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Science Center Hosts International Life Science Leaders
by Anonymous

PHILADELPHIA, PA June 26, 2003 -- The Science Center played host today to a gathering of over 60 leaders of the life science industry from around the globe.

“The goal of the event was to showcase the strengths of the region in the biotech and life science fields to an international audience,” said Marty Schiffman, a Board member of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, a sponsor of the event along with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Association, Austrade and the University of Pennsylvania Center for Technology Transfer.

“This kind of event fits neatly into what we are trying to do at the WTC, which is to internationalize the region and spread the word about our assets and strengths,” Schiffman said.

Industry and academic leaders from countries such as South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand heard presentations from Philadelphia area representatives, including Fritz Bittenbender, President of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Association, and Jill Felix, President and CEO of the Science Center.

“It was an excellent presentation,” said Chris Kelleher, Business Liaison Manager for the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. “It really opened our eyes to what was going on in Pennsylvania and the breadth of support this region provides the biotech industry. We welcome the opportunity to work with Pennsylvania companies, and think there are many possibilities for partnerships.”

The international visitors stopped in Philadelphia on their way home after attending the largest trade gathering of the global biotech industry, BIO 2003, which was held this year in Washington, D.C. and ended Tuesday. BIO 2005 is scheduled to take place in Philadelphia.

According to Bittenbender, one of the reasons for holding the event was to seek international partnerships for local companies and to provide networking opportunities. “Pennsylvania has a lot to offer the world,” Bittenbender said. ”We have the resources to be a global leader in the bio-century and with continued support from the state, we will continue to be a great place for someone to consider relocating or expanding to. We also have some truly innovative life science companies with interest in international partners.”

After the morning public session, the visitors and presenters gathered for lunch. The afternoon was set aside for one-on-one networking opportunities between the visitors and local companies and organizations.

At the beginning of the morning session, the Science Center’s Felix welcomed the gathering and gave a brief overview of the Science Center’s programs and activities. “We were glad to be able to host this important event for the region,” Felix said afterwards. “The Science Center frequently hosts international delegations, but this is the largest gathering we’ve had in a long time. The expectation is that it will pay big dividends for the region.”

About the Science Center: The Science Center’s mission is to grow regional wealth by developing knowledge communities that fuse talent, capital and opportunity. Since 1963, the Science Center has helped to launch over 350 new technology companies. (www.ScienceCenter.org)

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