(WASHINGTON, DC) – September 14, 2010 – Biotechnology entrepreneur John F. Crowley, a man whose astonishing personal quest developed a treatment for Pompe disease, which inspired the Harrison Ford film Extraordinary Measures, will address the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference on October 29 at the North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Md.
In 1998, two of Crowley's children were diagnosed with a fatal neuromuscular disorder called Pompe disease. Crowley worked at Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he served in a number of senior management positions. Frustrated with the slow place of research on Pompe disease, Crowley left Bristol-Myers Squibb in March 2000 and took over as CEO of Novazyme, a biotechnology start-up company based in Oklahoma City that was conducting research on a new experimental treatment for the disease. In 2001, Novazyme merged into Genzyme Corporation, one of the world's largest biotechnology companies.
In January 2003, Crowley's two children received the enzyme replacement therapy for Pompe disease developed by Genzyme. John Crowley credits the experimental trial with saving his children’s lives.
Crowley went on to become President and CEO of Orexigen Therapeutics, and he is currently the Chairman and CEO of Amicus Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on the development of novel treatments for human genetic diseases of neurodegeneration, including cystic fibrosis.
"His success story is not only of a parent who was able to find treatment for his children, but also of a savvy businessman who continues to excel in the global bioscience industry," said Virginia Biotechnology Association Executive Director Mark A. Herzog. "As an event that shapes the landscape for many bioscience companies and their champions, Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference attendees will benefit from learning more about the business strategies Mr. Crowley has applied to his biotechnology companies and leverage similar practices to companies in our region."
Now in its sixth year, Mid-Atlantic Bio is the only globally-focused, yet regionally-based, event to combine components of a bioscience industry convention with an investor conference under one roof. More than 800 national and international industry leaders, government representatives, executives, researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, and professional services firms will gather to promote networking, business expansion, and technical-knowledge sharing. Home to industry-critical regulatory and research agencies; federal policymaking; and business and scientific centers of excellence, the Mid-Atlantic is a unique center for the global bioscience industry.
Conference Sessions:
Designed to be a platform that brings together science, company builders, commercial interests and collaborators, capital sources, and federal and regulatory thought-leaders, the 2010 program includes a variety of important industry topics - ranging from the latest in policy and regulatory matters, business and financing opportunities, and CEO War Stories to advances in science and technology - and showcases exciting companies from the biosciences field. A few of the highlighted sessions include:
Company Presentations:
Each year at Mid-Atlantic Bio, a number of life science companies are chosen to present before an audience of capital sources, including corporate business development professionals, peer scientists and company leaders, venture capitalists, angel investors, and various other qualified financing sources along with important industry professionals and potential strategic partners.
BioMatch:
Mid-Atlantic Bio's signature networking program, BioMatch, is designed specifically for the life sciences and biotech industries, and provides registered attendees access to advanced partnering software that facilitates personalized, one-on-one meetings between the leading bioscience organizations and industry leaders.
Partial List of Conference Sponsors:
Cooley LLP, Hogan Lovells US LLP, Grant Thornton LLP, MedImmune, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, E&Y, BioMed Realty Trust, Inc., Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., Janelia Farms Research Campus of Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NIH Federal Credit Union, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, Deloitte & Touche LLP, H.I.G. Bioventures, Intersouth Partners, New Enterprises Associates, Oxford Finance, TEDCO, Third Security, LLC
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ABOUT MID-ATLANTIC BIO
The Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, scheduled October 27-29, 2010, in Bethesda, Maryland, is co-hosted by the Tech Council of Maryland (TCM), the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA), and the Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO). Mid-Atlantic Bio benefits from broad regional support from the investor and greater business communities, academic institutions, government agencies, and partnering regional associations. For more information, or to register or sponsor, please visit www.midatlanticbio.org.
