The 2011 edition of the BIO International Convention marked a return to form for the world’s biggest biotech event. Running from June 27-30 in Washington, DC, BIO attracted more than 15,000 attendees and 1,800 exhibitors. The event featured presentations and discussion with key policymakers and top scientists, covering a wide array of biotech topics.

Exhibitors told us that this year’s event was stronger than in recent years, in terms of both floor-traffic and pre-arranged partnering meetings. Most credited this to an improving economy and a good host-city.

Biosimilars were a big topic of conversation, with many marketers discussing plans to enter that market. One bio-CMO remarked, “I’m glad that the U.S. is committed to developing a biosimilars pathway, but I have a feeling the group that’ll see the biggest benefit is the lawyers.”

Many were happy with the choice of venue, but expressed hope that BIO will generally rotate among key biotech regions — Boston, San Francisco, San Diego — for future conventions. The 2012 BIO International Convention will be held June 18-21 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Mass. For more information, visit http://convention.bio.org/2012.aspx.

Interviews:

• Stephen C. Taylor, Ph.D., Commercial Director and Vice President, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies UK Ltd.
• Peter Soelkner, Managing Director at Vetter Pharma International
• Laura L. Parks, Ph.D., Senior Vice President Marketing & Sales, DSM Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Shou Yi Poon, Manager, Business Servicies Division, International Enterprise Singapore
• Michiel E. Ultee, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Laurate Biopharmaceutical Services
• Kenneth Clapp, Senior Director, Global Marketing & Product Development, Xcellerex