[April 18, 2012]

Biotechnology Patenting and Intellectual Property to be Highlighted at 2012 BIO International Convention

Recent court decisions and ongoing implementation of the America Invents Act are certain to impact the life sciences industry. The 2012 BIO International Convention will feature an educational track devoted to Biotech Patenting and Tech Transfer to discuss legal and legislative developments and how they are likely to impact biotech companies. Hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), this year's global event for biotechnology will take place June 18-21, 2012 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, MA.

"Strong intellectual property protection is vital for the life sciences industry," stated BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. "We are pleased to be joined by distinguished representatives from academia, the government and companies to discuss the latest in patent law and practice as well as how companies and universities can work together to efficiently move promising research from the laboratory to patients and other consumers."

Session highlights include:

Recent Developments in Patentability: Prometheus, Myriad, Classen and the Patentability of Diagnostic Methods
A panel of distinguished patent-law experts and practitioners will discuss the leading cases on patent eligibility of diagnostic methods, focusing on the Prometheus case in the Supreme Court of the United States and the Myriad Genetics and Classen cases in the Federal Circuit. The panel will discuss the implications of these cases for biotech patents and the future of biotech innovation, including personalized medicine.
Tuesday, June 19, 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Moderator: Mark Fleming, Partner, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
Speakers: Seth Waxman, Partner, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, Kevin Marks, Vice President, Roche Molecular Diagnostics and John Whealan, Associate Dean for Intellectual Property Law, George Washington University Law School

Prior User Rights and Trade Secrets: A New IP Option Replacing Patents to Secure Freedom - to - Operate for Internally Used Innovations in Biotechnology
Trade secret asset management is a strategic imperative as companies develop and market their innovations. The session will help companies answer the question - Is it worth the trouble to patent internally - used technology? Additionally, the panel will discuss whether Prior User Rights, a defense against infringement of a later patent, is a better option for companies.
Tuesday, June 19, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Moderators: R. Mark Halligan, Partner, Nixon Peabody LLP and Thomas Kelley, Consulting Patent Counsel, Monsanto Company
Speaker: Jason Duncan, Associate General Counsel, EMD, Serono, Inc.

IP Issues Affecting Biomarker Diagnostics and Personalized Medicine
A panel of international wll discuss: how and why recent legislation and court decisions defining "patent-eligible" products and methods will impact the patent protection that is available for biomarker diagnostic products and services; scientific issues that impact patent procurement and the scope of patent protection and when the applicant must present the data and cross-border and multi-party (joint) infringement considerations that impact companies' ability to enforce patents against competitor/copiers.

American Invents Act Comes to Campus: the Impact on Commercialization and Technology Transfer Offices
The recently enacted Leahy-Smith America Invents Act 2011 ("Act") is the most significant change to U.S. patent law in recent decades. Certain provisions of the Act will greatly affect how universities and non-profit research institutions disclose technological information, implement IP strategies, and license their innovations to third parties. This panel will discuss the impact of the Act on the missions and policies of universities and non-profit institutions as well as address new strategies for universities and non-profits.
Thursday, June 21, 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Speakers: Fernando Alberdi, Partner, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn; Charles Niebylki, Senior Intellectual Property Advisor, National Institute of Health (NIH;, Robin Rasor, Director of Licensing, University of Michigan and Christina Sarris, Senior Technology Transfer Policy Advisor, National Institute of Health (NIH)

In addition to the Biotech Patenting and Tech Transfer track at Convention, attendees will have the chance to learn how academic institutions can narrow the gap from innovative research in labs to novel medicines and technologies for patients at the 2012 Translational Research Forum.

The BIO International Convention will highlight the latest trends and the newest opportunities for executives, investors, scientists, policy leaders, and media from around the world. Speakers at the sessions will share breakthroughs in medicine, diagnostics, the environment, energy production, business operations, financing, partnerships, policy issues and food and agriculture. Visit convention.bio.org for the most up-to-date program and speaker information.

The Convention also features the BIO Business Forum, a unique platform for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic research institutions, and investors from around the world to gather and discuss strategic opportunities. For registration, conference agenda and exhibitor information, visit 2012 BIO International Convention.

To learn more about intellectual property policy and how developments in case law affect the biotech industry, please visit Patently Biotech.

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO IP Counsels Committee Conference
April 16 - 18, 2012
Austin, TX

World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing
April 29 - May 2, 2012
Orlando, FL

2012 BioEquity Europe
May 15-16, 2012
Frankfurt, Germany

2012 BIO International Convention
June 18-21, 2012
Boston, MA

BIO Business Forum
June 18 - 21, 2012
Boston, MA

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtechNOW, a multiblog platform and monthly newsletter that aims to create an online biotech community where the the industry can connect to discuss the latest news. Subscribe to BIOtechNOW.

For more information:
Visit http://www.bio.org
Follow us on Twitter @IAmBiotech
Join us on LinkedIn/MyBio
Become a fan at facebook.com/IAmBiotech

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