A research group from the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) visited Zhongguancun in Beijing on June 27 lead by Alan Eisenberg, executive vice-president of the BIO.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C.,the Biotechnology Industry Organization is the largest trade organization to serve and represent the biotechnology industry in the United States. Its members include companies that make pharmaceutical drugs, biofuels, industrial enzymes, and genetically modified crops. It is the BIO’s mission to be the champion of biotechnology and the advocator for member organizations - both large and small. The BIO holds a trade meeting annually in the US, which is essential for business development and partnering activities that are required in the biotechnology sector. In 2013, the conference was held in Chicago and attracted 13,594 delegates from 47 states in the US and 62 countries. During the visit, Alan Eisenberg introduced the BIO Convention in China, which is an annual conference that brings together 1,000 executives from global biotech and pharmaceutical companies interested in exploring business development, networking and deal-making opportunities. The conference has been successfully held twice in Shanghai. Now, in its third year, the 2013 BIO Convention in China will take place in Beijing from November 11 to 13.

"Zhongguancun is an ideal co-host for this annual event and shares the BIO’s mission to support and encourage innovation and investment to help biotech flourish in China," said Alan Eisenberg. "The BIO seeks a strategic partnership with Zhongguancun."

"The BIO has demonstrated their commitment to international exchanges and cooperation with China’s pharmaceutical and emerging biotech sectors,"said Xuan Hong,deputy director of the Zhongguancun administrative committee. "Zhongguancun is pleased to further discuss the details of this year's BIO Convention in China, a must attend partnering event for those seeking in- and out-licensing opportunities with multinational corporations."