It is time for Latin America
In 2009, Robert Kilpatrick and I decided to bring the BioPartnering events to Latin America. The main objective was to create business opportunities for local life sciences companies and to expand horizons for international companies into the region.
The decision proved to be right. Latin America is experiencing robust economic growth in comparison with other regions that were strongly affected by the 2008 financial crisis. Policies in several Latin American economies that help control deficits and keep inflation low, combined with strong international demand for commodities like iron ore, tin and gold, are encouraging investment and fueling much of the growth. The region’s economy is now growing at the rate of 4-5 percent.
In terms of life sciences, we also note a strong development in the last couple of years. Recognized competence in research areas, such as genomics and stem cells, together with recent developments in the areas of food production and bioenergy are some of the factors that are calling attention to Latin America. The results are becoming clear: international companies are expanding their scouting programs into the region, local corporations are starting to invest in innovative projects, new and dedicated life sciences venture capital funds are being created, the number of start-ups companies is growing and universities are establishing technology transfer offices.
It is also clear that there is still much to be done to include Latin America countries as major players in the life sciences and biotechnology worldwide. There are many challenges, including regulatory issues, access to biodiversity and infrastructure, especially for biological product scale up and manufacturing.
The first BioPartnering Latin America was held in Rio de Janeiro in September 2010. With 15 sponsors and 35 supporters, we were able to join together over 200 executives from 20 countries. A great success for our first meeting! For 2011, we decided to move the event to São Paulo, the main business city in the continent and one of the biggest in the world.
By now, a strong group of companies, including six of the main international pharma, are sponsoring BPL 2011. Equally important, we will have the tech transfer offices of the main universities and research centers (for example the University of São Paulo which is the biggest university in Latin America) presenting their technologies and a group of prominent start ups in the region, coming from the Mercosul* and other countries.
*Mercosul: Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay
I look forward to seeing you in São Paulo this September!
Eduardo Soares
CEO & President, Biominas Brasil
9 Top Pharma Companies Offer Insights and Partnering Strategies
9 Leading Pharmaceutical companies —Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Genzyme, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and Takeda — presented corporate strategies and partnering opportunities at BioPartnering Europe™ 2009 (BPE).
Year after year, TVG’s customers attend BPE to network with potential partners, join interactive discussions with industry leaders, and most importantly to get business done. Face-to-face partnering is so critical to the growth of life science companies that many of our attendees are booked solid with back-to-back meetings throughout the 3-day conference. Naturally, there are presentations and sessions that delegates must miss because of an important meeting or conflicting session.
For those of you who missed BPE this year and for those who attended but were booked solid with face-to-face meetings we are pleased to offer you audio recordings from each of the leading Pharmaceutical company presentations given at BPE 2009.
Download and listen to the presentations by following the links provided below:
Amgen - http://www.techvision.com/bpe/program/09_BPE_Pharma_Amgen.mp3 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company - http://www.techvision.com/bpe/program/09_BPE_Pharma_BMS.mp3 Genzyme - http://www.techvision.com/bpe/program/09_BPE_Pharma_Genzyme.mp3 GlaxoSmithKline - http://www.techvision.com/bpe/program/09_BPE_Pharma_GSK.mp3 Merck & Co., Inc. - http://www.techvision.com/bpe/program/09_BPE_Pharma_Merck.mp3 Novartis - http://www.techvision.com/bpe/program/09_BPE_Pharma_Novartis.mp3 Pfizer - http://www.techvision.com/bpe/program/09_BPE_Pharma_Pfizer.mp3 Roche - http://www.techvision.com/bpe/program/09_BPE_Pharma_Roche.mp3 Takeda - http://www.techvision.com/bpe/program/09_BPE_Pharma_Takeda.mp3
Don’t forget to join us at BioPartnering North America™ (BPN) in Vancouver, 24-26 January 2010 - BPN is guaranteed to expand your network in 2010!
We look forward to seeing you in 2010 at leading BioPartnering events in the US, Canada, China, Europe, Latin America and India. Check out our website http://www.techvision.com to learn more about how TVG can help you access Your Global Life Science Network™.
Don’t cut that conference budget!
Many companies are facing “hair-cuts” with their conference budgets as a way of saving money but is this the right approach? Will the cost savings help the bottom line? While cutting out conference attendance will have a few short-term benefits it will ultimately undermine your long-term growth and partnering strategy. Over the years, it has been proven that attending conferences is a far superior venue for networking, negotiations and closing deals than staying put in the office. The next time you are debating whether or not to attend a conference, consider the following points in your decision:
Face-to-Face Meetings are Key: Harvard Business Review Reader Poll Survey stated 87% agree face-to-face meetings are essential for “sealing the deal” and 95% agree these meeting are key in “building long-term relationships”. Download the Harvard Business Review PDF.
Cost Savings in Travel: The number of face-to-face meetings you can set-up while attending a conference is much more efficient and less expensive than meeting with these customers in each of the home-countries. Not to mention the time you’ll save meeting with these customers in one location!
Corporate Image: How would your customers react knowing you will not be attending an event as you have years past? Your non-presence could have a negative “silent” impact. This may leave delegates to ask others where you are or come up with their own assumptions as to why your company did not participate.
Education and Industry Knowledge: Conference attendance is the fastest way to learn new innovative, cutting edge ideas from your customers and competitors while working the trade show floor or listening to various presentations.
For the ticket price and travel costs you simply can’t beat the cost effectiveness and efficiency of networking with your customers, peers and competition — all within a couple days — while promoting your product.
