BioConvergence 2004 International Convergence Conference - May 19-20 2004 - London Barbican Exhibition Centre, UK

Attend Europe's first international biotech, bioinformatics and informatics partnering conference for industry and academia in the heart of London and hear star speakers including Dr Janet Thornton, Director of the European Bioinformatics Institute, and Prof. Alan Barrell, Entrepreneur in residence, Cambridge University, as well as representatives from AstraZeneca, Bayer, Oracle, and major players in the biotechnology investment community including Collins Stewart, Augusta Finance, Sitkapartners and Biofund.

LONDON, UK April 19, 2004 -- BIOCONVERGENCE 2004 will bring together delegates from many disciplines within biotechnology and informatics, from industry and academia. It will provide an international venue for partnering and showcasing products and technologies, as well as for learning from experts within industry and the financial community.

Session I: The Biotechnology Challenge
Chaired by Dr Malcolm Simms, Director of Innovation and Enterprise at Queen Mary University of London. Speakers include Dr Julie Logan, Director, Simfonec, London Enterprise Centre and Dr Roger Harrison, VP, Head of Oncology Strategic Business Unit, BTG Plc.

Session II: The Convergence Challenge
Chaired by Sue Harris, Managing Director, Andersen Piquet. Speakers include Dr Frederic Marcus, Principal Scientific Officer, European Commission. Research Directorate and Susie Stephens, Principal Product Manager, Oracle Life Sciences, "Oracle'e Strategy in Life Sciences."

Session IIIa: The Business Challenge Part 1:
Chaired by John Poole, Small Company Advisor and Initiatior. Speakers include Dr Louis Nisbet, Partner, Sitka Partners and Seppo Makinen, Senior Partner at BioFund.

Session IIIb: The Business Challenge Part 2:
Speakers include Dr Jonathan Kwok, Biotechnology Analyst, Collins Stewart and Dr George Morris of Augusta Finance. To be followed by a drinks reception in the exhibition hall followed by a conference dinner on the Barbican Terrace.

Session IV: Cracking the code
Chaired by Prof. Nick Lemoine, Director of The Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre.
Speakers include Prof. Janet Thornton, Director of The European Bioinformatics Institute and founder of Inpharmatica and Prof. William O.C.M. Cookson, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford and founder of Surface Therapeutics, followed by Dr. Jonathan Sheldon, Chief Scientific Officer (LifeSciences), InforSense Ltd.

Session V: Collaboration model
Speakers include JLippert, Bayer Technology Services, Computational Solutions and John Savin, CEO, Physiomics.

Session VI: Ahead of the game
Chaired by Prof. Colin Howard, Director, London BioScience Innovation Centre and Vice Pricipal of Royal Veterinary College. Speakers include Dr Jin Li, Director, Chemical Computing Enabling Science and Technology (EST) AstraZeneca R&D Mal, Sweden, "Maximising the value of experimental and in silico screening." and Prof. David Fell, Professor of Biochemistry and Assistant Dean of the School of Biological & Molecular Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, "Developing the in silico cell: a tool for metabolic engineering and drug therapy design." Final speaker Prof. Alan Barrell, Chairman, Cambridge Worldwide Associates and Transitions Ltd, Entrepreneur in residence, Cambridge University.

# # #