Life Sciences Action Summit set Monday

The Red River Valley Research Corridor has announced that a group of scientists and health professionals will keynote the fourth Research Corridor Life Sciences Action Summit.

Slated to speak are:

* Dr. Bruce Gellin, deputy assistant secretary for health and director of the National Vaccine Program Office at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

* Dr. George W. Korch, (acting) principal deputy assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Department of Health and Human Services

* Dr. Stephen C. Redd, MD, rear admiral and assistant surgeon general, U.S. Public Health Service and Director of Centers for Disease Control’s Influenza Coordination Unit

* Brian Kelsey, senior policy adviser, Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Economic Development Administration

The Red River Valley Research Corridor Life Sciences Action Summit with honorary co-host U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad will take place on Monday, at Fargo’s Hilton Garden Inn.

“The life sciences are an increasingly important component of the region’s economic development,” Conrad said. “This year’s summit will focus on bio preparedness and development of vaccines and the issues surrounding our nation’s readiness for and response to biological threats. This is an extremely important issue and we are fortunate to have some of the nation’s top scientific, business and civic leaders attending.”

The summit will focus on bio preparedness, examining an entire spectrum of important measures our nation must consider and prepare for to better address the threat of new strains of disease, pandemics, and biological warfare. Many of the answers to these questions are being pursued through the development and advancement of new technologies in vaccines, antivirals, antibiotics, diagnostics, and medical equipment here in the region. Registration and more information regarding the event can be found on the website www.researchcorridorsummit.com.

“This summit will highlight the extraordinary initiatives of individual companies and university research centers in the Red River Corridor but will also take a look at how emerging regional collaborations in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Manitoba are coming together to create new opportunities.” said Delore Zimmerman, executive director of the Red River Valley Research Corridor.

In addition to featured speakers, the summit will feature panel discussions by regional life science industry investors and leaders including sessions on building a life sciences sector and the growing role of agriculture in biotechnology research and development.

The Research Corridor is also hosting the Strategic Patent Management Workshop for Entrepreneurs on Tuesday. Entrepreneurs and small business owners are encouraged to register for this event learn about effective strategies to manage their patent portfolio.

The public may attend the upcoming Research Corridor events. For more information or to register, log on to www.theresearchcorridor.com or call the Red River Valley Research Corridor Coordinating Center at 701-775-3354.

Tags: nd business, business, research, science