Gary Locke to keynote BIO Convention in China

WASHINGTON – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is pleased to announce that Gary Locke, the U.S. Ambassador to China, will provide a keynote address on November 12 at the BIO Convention in China, taking place November 11-13 in Beijing. The event focuses on bringing together executives from biotechnology, pharmaceutical companies and investment firms from North America, Europe and Asia to meet and explore business opportunities in China.

 “Throughout his public service career, Ambassador Locke has worked to strengthen economic ties between the U.S. and China. His experience in both countries has been particularly valuable in helping create policies that support the development of partnerships between Eastern and Western biotech companies,” said Joseph Damond, senior vice president, International Affairs at BIO. “He has been a strong advocate for the biotech industry in the U.S. and abroad and we are honored to have him keynote the BIO Convention in China.”

Prior to being appointed as U.S. Ambassador to China in 2011, Ambassador Locke served as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, co-chairing two sessions of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade and presiding over a 32 percent increase in exports to China. Ambassador Locke also served two terms as Governor of Washington State, where he successfully strengthened economic ties between China and Washington, more than doubling the state's exports to China to over $5 billion per year. Ambassador Locke is also the first Chinese-American to serve as Ambassador to China, as Secretary of Commerce and as governor.

“Asian markets are increasingly critical for the global biotechnology industry. BIO has proven to be a leader in facilitating the connections and partnerships necessary for US and western companies to succeed in these growing markets,” said Ambassador Locke. “I’m delighted to speak at the BIO Convention in China and to support this unique venue for collaboration between the U.S. and China.”

In addition to Ambassador Locke, the current governor of Washington State, Gov. Jay Inslee, is also slated to deliver keynote remarks on 12 Nov, Tuesday.

The program for the BIO Convention in China will also include panel sessions highlighting the latest issues and trends related to doing business in China. Program topics include science-focused sessions such as vaccine development, China’s unmet medical needs and the research and development of orphan drugs to treat rare diseases in China, as well as business-focused sessions exploring China’s private health care industry, early-stage VC funding in China, and partnering models between Chinese and Western companies.

BIO brings to China more than 17 years of experience in organizing international conferences for the biotech industry, including the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest annual biotech conference. BIO is renowned for its successful business development, partnering and investor meetings in North America, Europe and Asia. Partnering at this conference will be powered by BIO One-on-One Partnering?, an interactive environment to intelligently search, contact and schedule private meetings with potentialNike Special Forces Air Force 1 Boots