EuropaBio, representing the European biotech industry, and The World Life Sciences Forum BioVision have joined forces to provide a special industry track at BioVision 2005. The Industry Track will provide opportunities for Europe's emerging biotechnology companies to meet with leaders from some of the continent's largest pharmaceutical, chemical and food companies, who traditionally come together every two years in what is known as the Davos of Life Sciences. The World Life Sciences Forum BioVision will take place in Lyon, France from April 11-15, 2005 and will bring together leaders of Science, Society and Industry to discuss and debate social, environmental and economic issues impacting the Life Sciences.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to implement an Industry Track in this important event," says Johan Vanhemelrijck, Secretary General of EuropaBio. "It will allow the emerging biotech industry sector to discuss key issues at the very highest levels."

BioVision enables all stakeholders to discuss issues in Life Sciences from the perspective of Science, Industry and Society. It offers a unique opportunity for all to exchange views, thereby contributing to the understanding, acceptance and development of Life Sciences.
BioVision's objective is to further the development of Life Sciences by means which are beneficial to humankind and the environment, to Society at Large, and which are ethically sound. BioVision has established itself as a platform for top-level dialogue between scientists, public authorities and international organisations, pharmaceutical and AgFood industry executives, patient and consumer association representatives, and a wide range of representatives from Society at Large, including most major Non-Governmental Organisations and leading Media.

"At long last, Industry, Science and Society will be represented on an equal footing, in what will be the largest gathering ever in Europe of Life Sciences experts" says Eric Poincelet, Director General of BioVision. "This World Premier will set a standard for what can be achieved when dialogue and bioethics are given full priority".

EuropaBio Industry Track will provide a vital bridge between BioVision and the concurrent business partnering event BioSquare, a unique concept pulling together the biotech industry from North America, Europe and Asia. BioSquare attracts large, medium and small sized companies via an innovative partnering platform. The needs of the 1,500 emerging biotech companies feature prominently in the EuropaBio Track at BioVision; this Track will be open to BioSquare participants.

EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries, has 35 corporate members operating worldwide and 24 national biotechnology associations representing some 1200 small and medium sized enterprises involved in research and development, testing, manufacturing and distribution of biotechnology products.

BioVision is the World Life Sciences Forum.