Community To Celebrate Biotechnology In Northeast Florida
For immediate release
BioFlorida’s 7th Annual Celebration of Biotechnology on May 13 is free and open to the public
ALACHUA, Fla. (April 26, 2010) – The community is invited to attend the 7th Annual Celebration of Biotechnology on Thursday, May 13 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the RTI Biologics campus in Progress Corporate Park, Alachua, Fla. The outdoor event features free admission, food vendors, fun, networking opportunities and more than 60 scientific vendors that will provide the public with a unique opportunity to learn about the biotechnology advancements underway in this region that have global impact.
The event is hosted by BioFlorida, the statewide trade association for the bioscience industry, as an initiative to raise awareness about Northeast Florida’s vibrant life sciences cluster. The Alachua/Gainesville area is home to the largest cluster of biotech companies in the state, anchored by companies such as RTI Biologics, Exactech and the University of Florida’s (UF) Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator. Most of these companies are located in Progress Corporate Park in Alachua, where more than 80 percent of the 1,000 people employed there work at start-up companies that resulted from technology developed at UF. New features this year include company presentations and a bus tour of the Park during the event, as well as the traditional open houses after the event.
“North Central Florida has quietly become an important generator of bioscience and technology jobs for both the community and the entire state, which helps to diversify Florida’s economy,” said UF’s Patti Breedlove, who also serves as the organizing committee chair for the event. “This popular event gives us the chance to engage the community and celebrate the innovative research we are doing that is improving lives throughout the world.”
Sponsors of the Celebration of Biotechnology include Fisher Scientific, Pittcon 2011, Gainesville CEO and the FL High Tech Corridor, and Smith & Hopen, P.A. The event is free and open to the public. For more information and a full list of the more than 60 scientific vendors, visit www.bioflorida.com.
About BioFlorida
BioFlorida is the voice of Florida’s bioscience industry association, and represents more than 200 member companies and research organizations in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device fields. Operating as a not-for-profit organization, BioFlorida works to facilitate and advance innovations in the healthcare, agriculture and energy sectors for its membership base. BioFlorida members are involved in biomedical research and development, medical device manufacturing, clinics and hospitals, academia, government and non-profit organizations, and industry services/products. BioFlorida’s leadership and programs positively influence the growth of the industry through networking and initiatives related to capital formation, advocacy, workforce development, education and commercialization of research. This year, the BioFlorida Institute was established to provide support for K-12 science education, workforce development programs as well as professional development.
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