BIO 2010 exhibits the successes and opportunities in moving lab innovations to marketplace brands

Today the BIO International Convention returns to Chicago.  So, we're reminded that our city, state, and region enjoy a broad range of biotechnology companies and research organizations: ag-bio, industrial applications, biodefense centers, food safety, renewable fuel technologies, biologics, molecular diagnostics, and devices.

The Chicago region is a hub for the biotech and life sciences industries, with more than 57,000 biotech employees and 1,500 biotech businesses.

Our two largest diversified health care companies, Abbott and Baxter, each would be among the world's largest biotechnology enterprises based on their annual sales of biotech-related products. Takeda and Astellas, Japan's top two bio-pharma companies have expanded their operations here, as has Sumitomo, which owns Valent BioSciences. And the Dutch firm Lundbeck recently made Chicago its base for growing U.S. operations through its acquisition of Ovation pharmaceuticals.

Other companies we expect to see at the BIO2010 exhibition include Fenwal Blood Technologies, Hospira, Dade-Behring, and Thermo-Fisher.

We also have a vibrant startup environment in top research universities, from the University of Chicago to the Illinois Institute of Technology. There are world-class medical centers, including the institutions in the Illinois Medical District. Northwestern University hosts one of the top nanotechnology research centers in the world.

Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will keynote this year's convention. Additionally, Al Gore, former U.S. Vice President and world-renowned climate change thought leader, will deliver a keynote.

Like the convention's theme, next month's issue of our ACCELERATE newsletter will highlight how we're working with clients to fulfill the promise to heal, fuel, and feed the world by developing life sciences in vital areas.

We will also report on our attendance to partner, network, and learn from the forums with some 4,000 business development and licensing professionals, representing 1,800 companies from more than 35 countries.

We'd love see you this week at BIO2010.