Bioscience companies to present novel technologies at BioFlorida's conference

A group of a dozen bioscience companies chosen through a competitive process will present their novel technologies to investors, business development executives, scientists and product or service providers at BioFlorida's 13^th Annual Conference, scheduled for October 24 - 26 at the Marriott Harbor Beach in Ft. Lauderdale. The presentations offer the companies an opportunity to find financing, collaborators and/or business partners for their ventures.

“For the entrepreneurs who applied to present and were selected, it's a chance to hear honest feedback from a group of seasoned bioscience professionals that could help them advance their business.”

"BioFlorida's conference has matured beyond a networking meeting to a platform that offers both members and nonmembers the prospects of finding the people or services all in one place that can assist companies to grow and prosper," said David Day, co-chair of BioFlorida's Capital Formation Committee, and director of the Office of Technology Licensing and the Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator at the University of Florida. Michael Wasserman, Ph.D., associate at H.I.G. BioVentures, also serves as co-chair of the committee.

After a review of applications from Florida-based bioscience companies, the Committee chose these 12 companies to represent various sectors of the industry and stages of product development. Start-up companies must have raised seed capital, non-institutional funding or have a clearly defined business plan. The mid- and late-stage companies also demonstrated the strength of their management team and their product's market potential.

"This is a great opportunity for investors and scientists to find great concepts which they can foster and help shepherd through to the marketplace," said Sue Washer, president and chief executive officer of Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, and chair of the BioFlorida Board of Directors. "For the entrepreneurs who applied to present and were selected, it's a chance to hear honest feedback from a group of seasoned bioscience professionals that could help them advance their business."

Novak Druce + Quigg LLP is the sole sponsor of the BioBusiness Track. Companies chosen to present at this year's conference represent a range of bioscience sectors, including therapeutics, diagnostics and medical devices. The companies' scheduled presentations, name and hometown are:

Company Presentations 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 25
Dharma Biomedical, Coral Gables, Therapeutics
eTect, Gainesville, Medical Device
GLG Pharma, Jupiter, Therapeutics
Lakewood Amedex, Lakewood Ranch, Therapeutics

Company Presentations 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 25
Thar Pharmaceuticals, Tampa, Therapeutics / Diagnostics
Xcovery Vision, West Palm Beach, Therapeutics
Claro Scientific, St. Petersburg, Diagnostics
Intezyne, Tampa, Therapeutics / Delivery

Company Presentations 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 26
Nanotherapeutics, Alachua, Therapeutics / Delivery
LensAR, Winter Park, Medical Device
Altor BioScience Corporation, Miramar, Therapeutics
NexGen Medical Systems, Melbourne, Medical Device

In addition to the company presentations, BioFlorida is working together with BioPartnering.com to facilitate one-on-one half hour meetings with potential investors and collaborators for all conference attendees who wish to participate.

More than 400 guests are expected at this year's conference, and a total of 50 speakers will share their insights on the latest trends and issues in biomedical research and bioscience business. BioFlorida is holding the conference this year in partnership with FL CURED, and it's being produced by American Meetings, Inc.