BioPartnering on the Copacabana Beach
During the last week of March, I conducted a site inspection for the newest TVG Global Platform destination, BioPartnering Latin America (BPL). After 15+ hours of airtime, I landed in beautiful Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday morning. The weather was sunny and beautiful as I traveled from the airport to the amazing Sofitel Hotel located on Copacabana Beach. Upon arrival, I was greeted by friendly staff who escorted me to my ocean view room. Later that afternoon, I met with Mr. Eduardo Emrich Soares, Biominas President & CEO, to discuss the progress of BPL. The meeting resulted in a better understanding of our newest Collaborators and Sponsors and their contributions to the BPL program. The remaining two days consisted of logistical meetings with the hotel staff and Ms. Angelica Patarroyo, Biominas Communication & Marketing Coordinator for BPL. I did manage to take a couple of hours and see parts of Rio de Janeiro. First, we visited Sugarloaf Mountain, which is located 1,299 feet (396 meters) above the harbor at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. The second site was the Maracan stadium, the largest stadium in South America, currently seating over 90,000 spectators. It has mainly been used for football (soccer) matches between the major football (soccer) clubs in Rio de Janeiro. This stadium will be the centerpiece of the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics and will host the FIFA World Cup in 2014. Upon departing on Thursday evening, I reflected on the immense progress we have made towards BPL 2010, since we began planning this event over 18 months ago. BioPartnering Latin America will showcase the entire region from Mexico to Chile, Brazil, and Argentina. The focus of BPL 2010 will be human, animal and plant health, highlighting a fast growing sector of innovative Latin America companies and presenting significant partnering opportunities. BPL will be held on September 19-21, 2010, in Rio, just across from the Copacabana Beach. I look forward to seeing you there!
