Troy, N.Y. - Executives from 10 area biotechnology firms will discuss the state of the industry in the Capital Region at the "Showcase of Local Biotechnology Companies" on Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Rensselaer's Heffner Alumni House. Immediately before and after the event, Rensselaer's Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship will host half-hour networking sessions for attendees and participants.

The showcase, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Severino Center in Rensselaer's Lally School of Management and Technology, with marketing assistance from the Center for Economic Growth and the New York Biotechnology Association.

Participants will provide corporate overviews and comments on the biotechnology industry and the area job market. Showcased companies include American Biomedica, Applied Biophysics, Charles River Labs, Evident Technologies, Foster-Miller Technologies, ImmunoConsultants, Myomatrix Therapeutics, Psyche Pharmaceutical, Taconic Biotechnology, and VEC Technologies.

"For anyone looking to start a career in biotech, this is a great opportunity," said Shreefal Mehta, Rensselaer research assistant professor of biotechnology management and the event's organizer. "The speakers are all involved with some ground-breaking technologies-like genetic testing, cell lines, and biomedical devices - so the audience will get a good idea of what it really means to work for a cutting-edge biotech company. In the process, they'll also get some free career advice and the chance to network with some of the area's top biotech players."

"Biotechnology is a growing industry sector in the Capital Region," said Kelly Lovell, President/CEO of the Center for Economic Growth. "It is important for us to understand the opportunities and challenges facing these companies and the industry as a whole."

The showcase is the fourth event in the Severino Center's 2002-03 Biotechnology Management and Entrepreneurship Seminar Series.

Contact: Caroline Jenkins
Phone: (518) 276-6531
E-mail: N/A