National Biotechnology Leaders to Convene at South Dakota Biotechnology Summit

“Investing in Biotechnology for Life, Food and Energy,” is the theme for the 4 ^th Annual South Dakota Biotechnology Summit and Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 17, 2009. This annual event is presented by the South Dakota Biotech Association and will be held at the Ramkota Hotel, Rushmore Room in Sioux Falls, SD.

James C. Greenwood will be the keynote speaker. Mr. Greenwood is President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) in Washington, D.C. , which 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. Mr. Greenwood represented Pennsylvania's Eighth District in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 1993 through January 2005. A senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, he was widely viewed as a leader on health care and the environment.

Additional featured speakers include Dr. David Fischhoff, Vice President, Technology Strategy & Development, and Chief of Staff for the Technology division at Monsanto Company . Dr. Fischhoff invented and developed insect resistant transgenic crops. He and his team were the first to develop insect resistant tomato, potato, cotton and corn through the expression of insecticidal genes from Bt. Recently appointed Broin Chair for The Sanford Project, Dr. Paul Burn, a native of Switzerland, will also speak at the Summit. Dr. Burn’s goal is to build a diabetes center that can compete with the best in the world. Also speaking at the Summit is James W. Abbott, the 17 ^th president of The University of South Dakota , who is in his 12 ^th year at the University of South Dakota.

Capping off the morning session will be Elsie Meeks who was named State Director of USDA Rural Development in South Dakota by the Obama Administration on July 27, 2009. In this capacity, she coordinates the efforts of 72 employees to work with others to ensure use of resources and 40 + programs are serving rural South Dakota residents. Meeks has several years of experience working to promote economic and community development and will address Summit attendees during the noon luncheon.

Other conference highlights include a main panel discussion and five breakout sessions featuring expert panelists in the areas of IP/Tech Transfer, Human Health, Animal Science, Renewable Energy and Plant Science. Exhibitor booths will be on display throughout the day including a research poster session highlighting research projects by University Graduate students and faculty. The Summit begins at 9:30am and concludes at 6pm. For more information, visit http://www.sdbio.org/events.php for a schedule of events and registration information.

The South Dakota Biotech Association is a non-profit organization serving as a resource for the emerging biotech industry in South Dakota and represents member companies in the areas of healthcare, food and agriculture and bioenergy. Primarily, member companies are directly involved with medical, life, animal and plant sciences. SD BIO strives to advance the bioscience industry in South Dakota through economic development, education and promotion of the industry to make a positive impact on South Dakota’s economic climate.