2008-06-13 22:26:22 -

- Oklahoma Bioscience Association Christine Berney, Public Relations Manager Cell: 405-819-7307 cberney@okcchamber.com Close to 90 delegates from Oklahoma's bioscience industry, including scientists, business leaders, educators and economic development officers from across the state, will attend the BIO International Convention in San Diego June 17 - 20, 2008. Their goal: to network, make valuable business connections, and promote the accomplishments of this growing statewide industry, which currently employs more than 44,000 people in Oklahoma and encompasses a wide range of research and business focuses.

This year's attendees, which include representatives from Tulsa, Claremore, Sapulpa, Stillwater and Ardmore, as well as Oklahoma City and Norman, will help staff the 1,600-square-foot Oklahoma Bioscience Pavilion, complete with touch-screen monitors showing PowerPoints about Oklahoma's

bioscience companies, an area for "live" company presentations, and a conference room for smaller meetings.

All of which will be marketed under the banner of the Oklahoma Bioscience Association, a new organization formed this spring to promote the growth of the Oklahoma bioscience industry through partnerships between Oklahoma's bioscience companies, research institutions, scientists, economic development organizations, and the larger business community.

"This is our largest showing ever," said Roy H. Williams, President & CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, which is organizing the trip. "When we attended the BIO Convention in D.C. in 2004, we had less than 10 people with us. This year we're almost at 90. That really speaks to the growth and importance of the bioscience industry in our state."

"This is an exciting time for the biosciences in Oklahoma," said Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins, who will join the Oklahoma Bioscience delegation in San Diego Monday and Tuesday. "Our companies and scientists are making groundbreaking discoveries - developing new drugs to combat Alzheimer's, bringing new nanotechnology products to market, and making significant contributions to the bioenergy field, to name just a few. We have great news to share with the world."

Press kit materials are available online at
www.virtualpressoffice.com/kit/OklahomaBioscienceAssociation