Thousands of the world’s top scientific minds and leaders wrapped around Chicago this week for the annual BIO International Convention (BIO2010), returning once again after a hugely successful event in 2006. The Convention featured BIO Business Forums (One-on-One Partnering), hundreds of sessions covering biotech trends, policy issues and technological innovations, and the world's largest biotechnology exhibition floor.
There was no shortage of action on the exhibit floor or on the keynote stage, where former Presidents William Jefferson Clinton & George W. Bush sat together for an earnest “fireside” chat moderated by BIO Chief Executive Officer, James Greenwood.
Mayor Daley & Governor Quinn offered welcoming words at the Presidential Keynote lunch, extolling Chicago & Illinois’ biotech chops and applauding BIO’s return to the city for a second time.
It was a week where biotech’s elite rolled up their sleeves and got down to business, partnering on some of the most pressing issues facing society across the globe. With expertise ranging the spectrum of big pharma, medical diagnostics, gene therapy, and well beyond…there didn’t seem a topic that was left untouched or unchallenged.
BIO2010 was the culmination of a tremendous collaborative effort, which brought together local public & private leadership toward the common goal of showcasing our life sciences industry. The list of partners was strong to say the least, with heavy lifting from Abbott & Baxter, specifically. Hospira, Takeda, & Astellas all greatly supported the effort as well.
None of it would have been possible without the generous support of the State of Illinois’ Department of Community Development (DCEO), and the great contributions of the City of Chicago’s Mayor’s Office and the Department of Community Development (DCD). Likewise, the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO), alongside the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC) were clutch leaders and great partners with World Business Chicago the whole way through.
