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Huge Biotechnology Convention Opens in Philadelphia

By Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The largest, most influential biotechnology convention in the world has brought thousands of people to Philadelphia this week.

The Biotechnology Industry Organization ("BIO") is attracting 15,000 attendees who from 47 states and 60 countries.

Among them is veteran industry executive Ravi Kiron of San Jose, Calif., who has held jobs in Big Pharma (at Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer),  in academia (at Cornell University), and now a startup in San Francisco (Amarantus Diagnostics).

Amarantus is developing blood-based biomarkers to detect multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease.

"If you can take a sample of blood, just draw the blood, analyze it, use a methodology, and then correlate the answer you get from the blood to what's going on in the brain, that would be huge," Kiron says.

The current alternative, he points out, is a painful spinal tap.

Kiron hopes to network with bigger firms such as Biogen, demonstrate the efficacy of his company's approach in clinical trials, and ultimately bring the product to market.

The BIO sessions include biotech "boot camps," business development courses, and career fairs.

One of the keynote speakers on Tuesday will be Tom Brokaw, the author and former NBC News anchor.

Wednesday will feature Dr. Eric  Topol, widely recognized as the leading authority on digital medicine.  Following him at midweek will be musician, composer, and bandleader Wynton Marsalis, who will discuss how to innovate, collaborate, and bring ideas to fruition.

Besides the obvious networking opportunities, the BIO convention's kickoff concert this evening, at the Liacouras Center, includes Boyz II Men and The Roots.

Wednesday evening, the party moves from the Convention Center, across the street to the Reading Terminal Market for a block party.

Kiron, the startup guy from San Jose, is one of the organizers of PABNAB, an acronym for Party At Bio Not Associated with Bio.

"Because business development happens not just in face-to-face meetings, but networking in an ambient environment in which libations are served," he says with a laugh.  "It helps to speak and connect with people."

PABNAB is invitation only, for 1,500. The theme this year is "Space Oddity," so come dressed as a Trekkie, the Jetsons, or yourself, and they'll throw some themed swag at you.

The BIO convention and associated events are expected to have an economic impact of more than $43 million for the city.

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