Pre-conference Schedule
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Tuesday, October 14

Pre-conference Workshops (separate registration fee required)
SSTI offers four intensive pre-conference workshops — each takes place at the InterContinental Hotel Cleveland. Registration in the main conference is not required to participate in a pre-conference workshop.

Full-day Workshops — includes workshop materials, continental breakfast, lunch and a.m. & p.m. breaks

Secrets for Successful Biocommercialization Support
Tuesday, October 14 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Intercontinental Hotel Cleveland
To put together this very special day exploring successful biocommercialization through a technology-based economic development lens, SSTI is extremely fortunate to be partnering with Cleveland Clinic Innovations, an enterprising organization within one of the world’s leading private medical institutions that has rapidly developed an impressive record for commercializing life science technologies. We’ll approach the topic from several perspectives – but all with the end in mind of how do we make state and local bio-innovation support initiatives more effective.

State and local activities specifically targeting the life sciences and biotechnology are the most numerous of the industry-focused approaches toward encouraging regional innovation. While the biosciences only employed 1.3 million in the country in 2006, the promise and potential growth – based on the $29 billion of academic research conducted that year and the $11.6 billion invested by venture capitalists in 2007 – is enough to cause states and communities to invest a few billion more toward ensuring the economic spillovers remain within their borders.

Enormous conferences are held each year for the biotech and biomedical industries, drawing tens of thousands of participants. But none – until this intensive full-day workshop – have focused specifically on how best do public-private initiatives assist bio-based businesses.

Topics will include:

• Understanding Medical Entrepreneurs – listening to and participating in candid interviews with members of the medical profession who have helped move their research into successful businesses.
• From MD to VC – experiences of medical professionals becoming financiers – how to approach them as funding partners for angel networks and venture capital funds. We’ll also look at other public and private VC sources specifically targeting medical-related opportunities.
• Strategic & Tactical Issues for Biocommercialization – discussion of the services, support infrastructure and internal expertise needed to properly address and capitalize on the unique character of bioscience R&D.
• Exits & Economic Development – balancing political and economic expectations to how bioscience commercialization actually occurs through IPOs, M&As, etc. and making the most to maximize the economic development impacts.
• The Future of U.S. Bio Business – insights into how state, local and academic public policy and practice can prepare for and react to emerging challenges and trends in the life science sectors

This event represents an exciting first for SSTI and TBED professionals focused specifically on supporting life science research and commercialization. Attendance will be limited to maximize the value for participants. We encourage you to register early. $195 separate registration fee
Presenters include:

• Marianne Clarke, Director, Washington Office, Battelle Technology Partnership Practice
• Chris Coburn, Executive Director, Cleveland Clinic Innovations
• Rich Overmoyer, Principal, GSP Consulting Corp.
• Matt Pollman M.D., M.S., President, CV Ingenuity
• John Puisis, President & CEO, Tolera Therapeutics
• Marc Recht, Partner, Cooley Godward Kronish, LLP
  
• Ali Rezai M.D., Director, Center for Neurological Restoration, Jane and Lee Seidman Chair in Functional Neurosurgery, The Cleveland Clinic 
• George Trutza, Executive in Residence, Cleveland Clinic Innovation
• Mark Skinner, Vice President, SSTI
  

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Creating and Strengthening Relationships with Federal Laboratories
Tuesday, October 14 • 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The nation’s federal laboratories have emerged as a tremendous resource for states and regions looking to build their tech-based economies. In fact, 42 of the top 100 innovations identified by R&D Magazine in 2006 were commercialized in partnership with one or more of our 700 federal laboratories. To keep that number growing, the federal labs are reaching out - looking for partnerships not only in their backyard, but across the country.
 
This half-day pre-conference session is tailored to those organizations looking to get in on the action, to get their foot in the door of the federal laboratories, and to strengthen existing ties in particular fields of research and commercialization.
 
The brightest brains from the leadership of the federal laboratory system and state TBED organizations with successful fed lab experience will be at the session to provide specialized help for those in attendance. All registrants will have the opportunity to describe their technological and commercialization needs in advance, which will be used to generate the session’s content.
 
Session outline:

• Overview of various federal laboratory programs and partnerships Roundtable discussion on how to create productive relationships between TBED organizations and federal laboratories Discussion of working with labs from different agencies
• How to build partnerships with the federal laboratories’ Technology Locator service
• Conclude with personal specialized assistance from both state TBED and federal laboratory representatives

Presenters include:
• Richard Brenner, Assistant Administrator, Office of Technology Transfer, Agricultural Research Service, USDA
• Frank Koos, Director, FLC Locator Service, Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer
• Dan Luton, Associate Director, Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST)
• Belinda Padilla, Program Manager, Technology Transfer Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory
• Renée Winsky, President and Executive Director, Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO)
• John Slanina, Policy Analyst, SSTI

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Effective Entrepreneurship Assistance: Advice from the Experts
Tuesday, October 14 • 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Although entrepreneurship is recognized as a necessary ingredient in building a sustainable innovation economy, there is no single "right" way to provide entrepreneurship assistance. But those initiatives that have demonstrated a history of success are beginning to attract global attention for their achievements. Now, rather than traveling the country to learn firsthand about the programs, we've gathered some of the nation's most respected leaders to share their experience and lessons learned.
 
This half-day pre-conference session will provide a behind-the-scenes look at some of the country's most effective entrepreneurship programs and the strategies that have helped them succeed. Presenters from internationally-recognized regional and state initiatives will provide insight into building an entrepreneurial culture, identifying potential entrepreneurs, connecting new business owners to the resources they need and helping to build high-growth firms. The session will include examples from both metropolitan and rural regions.

Richard Bendis of Bendis Investment Group LLC will lead the discussion, which will feature an in-depth exploration of successful programs and give you the opportunity to ask the experts about shaping and executing an effective entrepreneurship strategy that's best suited for your region.
Presenters include:
• Ray Leach, CEO, JumpStart Inc.
• Rich Lunak, President and CEO Innovation Works
• Tom Walker, President & CEO, i2E
Moderator:
• Richard Bendis, President & CEO, Bendis Investment Group LLC

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