News / North Yorkshire Ambassador on a Bio Mission
North Yorkshire Ambassador on a Bio Mission
Local solicitor Dr. Eileen McMorrow (Principal Solicitor of law firm YorSolicitor) visited the BIO International Convention in Boston, USA in May - a four-day annual biotechnology showcase with around 20,000 attendees. BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centres and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. The event is the major one of its kind for anyone who is serious about biotechnology. All the major pharmaceutical companies were represented there this year.
Whilst at the conference, Eileen took every opportunity to promote York and North Yorkshire as a good place for Bioscience companies to set up their businesses.
“It was an excellent opportunity to meet life science companies, other service providers and research establishments.” Dr McMorrow said.
Armed with york-england.com’s Partnership Folder (A Solution for Growth) Eileen went to the event as part of the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) Yorkshire and Humber Mission to BIO 2007. The mission was supported by Yorkshire Forward’ s Targeted Export Support Scheme.
“The mission proved a great platform to discuss with delegates what York and North Yorkshire has to offer people and organisations in the Bio trade. Throughout the duration of the event I was able to promote the services of york-england.com and hand out literature on the area to many key contacts from countries across the globe specifically Canada and the U.S.”
The event included keynote addresses from Michael J. Fox, the film star who as a sufferer from Parkinson’s disease has now set up the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and Queen Noor of Jordan who spoke about the impact of biotechnology on health and the environment. Attendees were also invited to seminars given by experts on a range of varied topics.
The events 1,800 strong exhibitors arena provided ample opportunity to meet industry experts and bioscience organisations from across the globe. Informal Think and Drink sessions were introduced for the first time this year to allow discussions between representatives from major pharmaceutical companies and those from smaller companies. This provided a good opportunity to consider new ways for these types of organisations to work together.
Perhaps the most interesting development that came from the conference is the increased importance that is being put on biofuels and other aspects of agricultural biotechnology. This trend it seems is bound to continue at future Bio conferences and events.
IMAGE - Some of the UKTI Yorkshire and Humber delegates (from left to right): Dr. Eileen McMorrow (YorSolicitor); Alastair Gardner (UKTI); Dr. Kevin Adams (Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation, University of Bradford); Robert Russell (AGTC Bioproducts Ltd); Gordon Marley (Ecosyl Products Limited); Adam Getliff (University of Leeds); Dr. Riddhi Shukla (Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation, University of Bradford).
For more information on YorSolicitor visit www.yorsolicitor.co.uk.
