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Abstract:
The Italian Biotech Industry Sizzles With Change

Italian Trade Commission Announces Its Participation at the BIO 2007 Convention

LOS ANGELES, CA | Posted on May 4th, 2007

According to the latest figures from a report conducted by Blossom Associati and Assobiotec, Italy's National Biotech Association, the nation's biotech sector generates $4.08 billion in revenues. It comprises more than 220 companies, of which more than 160 are focused on the health segment.

These firms employ about 14,000 workers and have a market capitalization of nearly $2 billion. They are exceptionally strong in product development, with 77 new compounds in clinical trial. Of these, 42 have advanced to the human testing stage. The largest number of firms (36) are focused on oncology, a field in which Italy is ranked second only to the United States.

Italy is also home to more than 40 world-class science and technology parks fueled by researchers from over 70 major universities. These "centers of excellence" serve new and established biotech ventures, and have helped Italy rank fourth in Europe in terms of R&D spending ($1.28 billion in 2006) and published research.

The Italian Trade Commission will highlight these accomplishments during the BIO 2007 International Convention (Boston, May 6-9) through a 2,400 sq.ft. Italian Pavilion that will host over 50 Italian biotech companies. In addition, it will sponsor two exciting events in order to offer forums to engage biotechnologists and investors in a dialogue over new ways to commercialize life-science innovations in Italy and in the United States.

At this year's BIO International Seminars Series, Invest in Italy - a joint project between the Italian Trade Commission and Sviluppo Italia - will spotlight Italy's best and brightest leaders in terms of research and business opportunities through a presentation called "The Italian Biotech Industry: Assets and Opportunities for Italian-US Collaboration" (Boston Convention Center, May 6 @ 4pm-5:30pm). Featured speakers will include internationally-renowned oncology, hematology and gene therapy researcher Dr. Claudio Bordignon, who will discuss advancements in cancer research and recent partnerships between US and Italian companies. Dr. Bordignon is founder and president of Milan-based biotech firm MolMed. He also serves as president of the Scientific Institute San Raffaele.

The seminar will also feature a presentation led by Byron Hewett, President & CEO of Immunicon Corporation, who discussed Italy's new Renaissance in biotechnology. Immunicon Corporation is a cutting-edge Pennsylvania firm focused on cell and molecular-based human diagnostics. Immunicon has research and testing agreements with Italian firms.

In addition to the above, a networking gala dubbed "Bio-link Italy 2007: Doing Business with Italian Biotech," (UMASS Boston Campus, May 7 @ 6:30pm - 9:30pm) will be hosted and co-sponsored by the Italian Trade Commission, the University of Massachusetts, the Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the South Coast development Partnership. The highlight of the evening will be a presentation titled "Italian Biotech over Time: Towards the ‘American Model.'". Examples such as the recent spin-offs of Milan-based Nikem and Florence-based Molteni into highly innovative research units, will be topics of discussion. The presenter, Simone Zanolo, leads business development efforts for Italian venture capital firm Eporgen Venture S.p.A. Eporgen's partners are private investors who are passionate about helping Italy's new generation of aggressive, entrepreneurial biotech firms compete on a global scale. The Ambassador of Italy to the United States, H.E. Giovanni Castellaneta will be addressing the audience with a welcome speech.

This networking event will include a fabulous traditional Italian-style dinner buffet.

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About Italian Trade Commission
The Italian Trade Commission is the government agency entrusted with promoting trade, business opportunities, inward investment and industrial cooperation between Italian and foreign companies.

It operates through 100 branch offices in more than 80 countries. In the U.S. the Italian Trade Commission operates offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston and Miami. Within the Italian Trade Commission are two Invest In Italy desks (Los Angeles and New York). Invest In Italy is a joint project of Sviluppo Italia (the National Agency for Enterprise and Inward Investment Development) and the Italian Trade Commission. Invest In Italy serves as a single reference point for U.S. technology sector investors seeking to establish or expand business in Italy. It provides operational support and free assistance with a range of professional services, from finding a great location to maximizing financial incentives.

U.S. biotechnology and nanotechnology companies are encouraged to contact the Italian Trade Commission office of Los Angeles to learn what Italy has to offer in terms of products, services and investment/collaboration opportunities. In addition, they can find out where to meet Italian companies in the U.S. at trade shows, workshops and conferences, as well as in Italy via trade missions and other promotional activities.

For more information or to schedule an interview with

Trade Commissioner Paola Bellusci during the exhibition,

please call Alessandra Ferri cell 310-497-5127

after the exhibition: Sara Botta at 323-879-0950

email:

Contacts:
For The Italian Trade Commission
During the exhibition:
Alessandra Ferri, 310-497-5127 (cell)
or
After the exhibition:
Sara Botta, 323-879-0950

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