New Jersey to Promote Garden State As Global Life Science Hub at World's Largest Biotechnology Event

PRINCETON, N.J., June 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- To showcase New Jersey as one of the world's premier locations for life science companies and medical research, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno is this week leading a large delegation of officials from the Partnership for Action, BioNJ, the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ), top universities and others to the BIO International Convention in San Diego, California.

This is the third year in a row that New Jersey has made a big splash at BIO International, which is considered the largest biotechnology event in the world. Last year, the conference drew thousands of industry leaders from  around the globe, including the leading biotech companies, top 25 pharmaceutical companies, top 20 contract research organizations and more than 300 academic institutions.

"New Jersey offers unparalleled opportunities for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device businesses," said Lt. Governor Guadagno. "BIO International is the perfect place to share news of our state's assets and competitive advantages with a highly targeted international audience. We're focused on attracting the businesses that will help sustain and grow the economic output that the biopharmaceutical sector already contributes to the Garden State."

Representatives from the New Jersey delegation will meet with life science companies that have been identified as prospects for expanding or relocating to New Jersey. In addition, the New Jersey delegation will host a delegation of Chinese executives for a breakfast briefing.

"New Jersey is home to 14 out of the 20 largest pharmaceutical companies, more than 3,100 life science and biopharma establishments and a thriving medical technology industry," said Tracye McDaniel, President and CEO of Choose New Jersey, which is spearheading the organization of most of the BIO activities. "With more scientists and engineers per square mile than anywhere else in the world, three medical schools among our 63 colleges and universities and 13 teaching hospitals, we offer biopharmaceutical companies a 'brain belt' second to none."  

Choose New Jersey is collaborating with BioNJ, HINJ and four New Jersey universities on the New Jersey pavilion at the conference, which will be emblazoned with the slogan "Big Ideas Happen Here." Participating universities include New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Princeton University, Rowan University and Rutgers University. Major organizations supporting New Jersey's activities at the convention include CBRE, Celgene Corporation, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, LIUNA and NPS Pharmaceuticals.

Lt. Governor Guadagno and Choose New Jersey will also host prospect companies for a special dinner event on June 24 at the historic Hotel del Coronado. Sponsored by HINJ, with the head table sponsored by Biggins Lacy Shapiro, the evening will provide networking opportunities for top life science executives and feature a musical tribute to New Jersey native Frank Sinatra.

About Choose New Jersey, Inc.
Founded in 2010 by the Christie Administration, Choose New Jersey, Inc. is a privately funded 501(c)(3) corporation charged with encouraging and nurturing economic growth throughout New Jersey. Through marketing, business attraction and lead generation activities, Choose New Jersey markets New Jersey as a premiere business location to both domestic and international businesses. Choose New Jersey is one of four elements of the Partnership for Action (PFA), which is led by Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno and also includes the New Jersey Business Action Center, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. For more information, visit www.choosenj.com.

SOURCE Choose New Jersey, Inc.