2009-10-21 20:22:01 -

Today the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced that a newly-formed bioscience organization in West Virginia agreed to join the Council of State Bioscience Associations : (CSBA), an autonomous council operating within BIO.

“We are pleased to welcome the Bioscience Association of West Virginia : as a member of the CSBA," said Patrick Kelly, Vice President of State Government Relations and Alliance Development at BIO. "The CSBA is an integral part of BIO's advocacy infrastructure. We work closely with CSBA member organizations to improve understanding of the bioscience industry and advocate for policies that help promote industry development throughout the United States. With the addition of West Virginia, the CSBA grows to 47 organizations in 43

states."


Kelly added that West Virginia’s bioscience cluster has shown steady growth over the past decade and he praised Governor Manchin’s ‘Bucks for Brains’ initiative, a plan to stimulate hi-tech research at WVU and Marshall, and for giving the nascent industry “a tremendous shot in the arm.”

“As members of the CSBA, BIO West Virginia will be able to draw upon the support of colleagues in the other states,” said Kelly Gillespie, chairman of the CSBA and executive director of the Missouri Biotechnology Association. “This network has been essential over the last several years as state legislatures have weighed the national risks of not adequately investing in the growth of this life saving industry when faced with the global competition for the most promising biotech jobs and investments.”


About BIO


BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. www.bio.org :

Upcoming BIO Events

Intellectual Property Counsels Fall Conference and Committee Meeting : October 26-28, 2009Washington, DC

8th Annual BIO Investor Forum : October 28-29, 2009San Francisco, CA

Advanced Business Development Course : October 30, 2009Vienna, Austria

BIO Europe International Partnering Conference : November 2-4, 2009Vienna, Austria

Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy : November 8-11, 2009Honolulu, HI

BIO Asia Partnering Conference : January 25-26, 2010Tokyo, Japan

BIO CEO & Investor Conference : February 8-9, 2010New York, NY

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)George Goodno,

202-962-6660 www.bio.org :