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For immediate Release
October
4, 2004
Four Virginia companies selected for bioscience investor's conference
RICHMOND, Va. - Four companies have been selected to present at this year's Virginia Biosciences Investor's Conference, which will be held Oct. 12 as part of the 2004 Virginia Biotechnology Summit at the McLean Hilton Hotel in Tyson's Corner.
"Recently announced acquisitions combined with renewed pre-IPO registration activity on Wall Street are very encouraging signs for biotech companies seeking venture financing," said David Lohr, executive director of the Virginia Biosciences Development Center and moderator and chair of the Biosciences Investor's Conference. "This is an excellent time for early-stage biotech companies to pitch their business plans to the venture capital community."
The companies that will present include:
Edenspace Systems Corporation, based in Chantilly, Va., is a leader in the development of plant-based environmental solutions for arsenic, heavy metal and radionuclide remediation of manufacturing sites, mines, agricultural land and firing ranges.
Targeson, LLC, of Charlottesville, Va., is focused on the development of molecular targeted ultrasound contrast agents for drug delivery to improve patient care through site-specific therapy.
Verication, LLC, of Shenandoah, Va., is an early-stage company developing a multilayer drug product authentication system that combines a secure, encrypted database of up-to-date drug product, packaging and forensic information with a non-destructive forensic sensor to authenticate drug products from point-of-manufacture to point-of-dispensing.
Trident Pharmaceuticals, LLC, based at the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park in Richmond, Va., produces therapies that are designed to reduce addicts' dependencies on drugs and alcohol.
The Virginia Biosciences Investor's Conference is targeted at regional seed and early-stage life science companies seeking to raise $500,000 to $5 million in equity capital. The four companies will present their business plans to an all-star panel of bioscience-focused venture capitalists and strategic investors. The panelists will critique each presentation and provide feedback and suggestions for both the presenting companies and conference attendees.
This year's panel includes representatives from leading venture capital firms noted for experience investing in Maryland and Virginia bioscience companies. Participants will include: Dr. Geoffrey Erickson, A. M. Pappas & Associates; Dr. Michael Salgaller, Toucan Capital; Will Brooke, Harbert Venture Partners; Kathy Carr, Tall Oaks Capital; Robert Patzig, Third Security; and Dr. Geeta Vemuri, Quaker BioVentures.
More than 450 are expected to attend the 2004 Virginia Biotechnology Summit, featuring Dr. Bert Adelman, executive vice president of Biogen-Idec, who will provide an inside view of the recent $6.4 billion merger of two of the world's largest biotechnology firms and the outlook for the bioscience industry in 2005.
Registration is $239 ($159 for VaBIO members). For more information about the summit, or to register for general attendance, please visit http://www.vabio.org, or call (540) 231-5182.
Contact:
Nicky Colomb
Virginia BioTechnology Research Park
Phone: (804) 828-6884
E-mail: ncolomb@vabiotech.com
Web site: http://www.vabiotech.com
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