Top industry players, European Commission representatives, the WHO, the Innovative Medicine Initiative, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and Chinese delegations will participate
Biovision’s ninth edition will take place in Lyon, France on June 5 and 6, 2014
Lyon, France, May 6, 2014 – Biovision, the annual forum devoted to future-oriented research in life sciences, today announces its program to bring a new level of awareness to the economic and business challenges faced by the life sciences industry.
This year the emphasis is on the need to further invest in new technologies to reach the growth potential that lies in disruptive innovation. The opening session kicks off with James Barlow, chair of technology and innovation management at Imperial College London. He focuses on the adoption, implementation and sustainability of innovation in healthcare systems. The session will then feature Robert-Jan Smits, general director of DG Research and Innovation at the European Commission, alongside other high profile delegates. The EC’s motto is ‘Health is Wealth’; meaning that by investing in research and innovation, we not only invest in health, but on a larger scale we also invest in a healthy workforce, a healthy economy and therefore lower public health bills. Joining Mr. Smits in this session will be Michel Goldman, CEO of the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), who will also discuss how to build and promote innovation networks in close collaboration with all stakeholders involved in pharmaceutical R&D.
The European Institute of innovation and technology (EIT) representative Alexander Von Gabain will share his insights about how best to invest in innovation and EIT’s distinctive strength: its entrepreneurial approach to innovation. Chinese representatives Ming-De Yu, the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association and Yao Fang, CEO at Fosun Pharma will also participate.
Other high-level speakers include Chris Viehbacher, CEO at Sanofi; Martin Friede, director, Technology Transfer Initiative at WHO; Bonnie Wolff-Boenisch, head of research affairs, Science Europe and Stanley Plotkin, emeritus professor of the University of Pennsylvania.
“By investing in innovation within the life sciences sector, Europe could have a significant impact at many levels,” said Didier Hoch, chairman of Biovision. “This would foster better health for European citizens whilst improving the well-being of European companies. It would also bring about a positive impact on the workforce and public health spending.”
A hotspot for industry meetings
Several associations will use Biovision as a springboard to hold their annual meetings and host events. The EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations) will hold its Annual Meeting in Lyon from June 4-6, attracting key players in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors from all the EU member states, EFTA countries and beyond. This year, the EFPIA meeting will focus on ‘Investing in science, investing in life’, with a focus on furthering EFPIA’s HealthyEU Campaign <http://www.efpia.eu/mediaroom/152/43/HealthyEU-EFPIA-launches-digital-European-Parliament-elections-campaign>, outlining a vision for an integrated life sciences strategy for Europe.
The G5, a forum for the leaders of the major health and biosciences companies in France, will meet to focus on Franco-Chinese partnerships. The LEEM (the French Pharmaceutical Companies Association) will present its 2014 study on the global life sciences market on Thursday June 5. On Friday, June 6, Ernst and Young will showcase its annual report ‘Beyond Borders’.
For more information on industry events: http://www.biovision.org/
The Biovision Investor Conference is also of great interest to the industry. It connects start-ups, growth companies and mid-sized businesses with financial and industrial partners in a series of discussions and meetings. Dedicated to funding for innovative businesses, it will showcase a selection of start-ups looking for investment.
About Biovision
Biovision, The World Life Sciences Forum is dedicated to future-oriented research in the field of life sciences. Its reach is global. It brings together a large number of leading figures including international decision-makers from the academic, policy-making, private and civil society sectors. It takes place each year in Lyon, France. The multidisciplinary decision-makers jointly reflect on future advances in life sciences. They consider how to convert research discoveries into practical, innovative solutions with public health benefits by directly addressing business models and the funding solutions.
Biovision has the support of high-profile public and private partners closely involved in the new format of the event. Local authorities (in Greater Lyon, the urban community of Lyon, France’s Rhone department and the Rhone-Alps region) have a long history of commitment to the development and promotion of life sciences in the Rhone-Alps.
To encourage innovation and action, Biovision has introduced the ‘Catalyzer’ meeting, co-organized with world-class bio-cluster Lyonbiopole, which promotes projects coming out of public-private partnerships, and the ‘Investor Conference’, co-organized with Lyonbiopole and France Biotech to identify promising start-ups and discuss how they can be funded. An online networking platform and on-site meeting areas help to foster dialog.
Biovision also includes conferences that are open to all; to disseminate knowledge, raise awareness and engage in dialog around scientific issues and the challenges of tomorrow.
Biovision has been convened since 1999 by an independent not-for-profit organization, the Fondation pour l’Universite de Lyon. Biovision enjoys the support of Greater Lyon (the urban community of Lyon), the Rhone department and the Rhone-Alps region.
Biovision 2014 will take place in Lyon, France, on June 5 and 6.
To register, go to: biovision.inviteo.fr
Press accreditation: media@biovision.org
More information: http://www.biovision.org
About the Fondation pour l’Universite de Lyon
The Fondation pour l’Universite de Lyon was founded on a shared desire from business, the University of Lyon and public stakeholders.
Chaired by Alain Merieux, the Fondation acts as a catalyst for collaborative initiatives and ambitious projects stemming from a drive for public-private partnership, which aims to increase the attractiveness and influence of the region, both in France and abroad.
More information: http://www.fondation-pour-universite-lyon.org
To view the original press release: http://www.ala.com/article.php?id=388
Mark Tidmarsh
ANDREW LLOYD & ASSOCIATES
Tel UK: +44 1273 675100
Tel France: +33 1 56 54 07 00
Tel US: +1 617 517 0146
INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY MARKETS, STRATEGY & COMMUNICATION
