Register Now for NCBiotech Partnering 2012

Procrastination could become painful if you don’t sign up for a face-to-face meeting with corporate or venture investors by the end of the day Wednesday, February 9.

At 11:59 p.m. that day, registration closes for NCBiotech Partnering 2012, the biggest such opportunity ever put together by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center to let the state’s life-science entrepreneurs talk about deals with those who can make deals.

The partnering sessions are one of the annual highlights of the CED Life Science Conference, held this year on February 15 and 16, at the Raleigh Convention Center. The Biotechnology Center and NCBIO (the North Carolina Biosciences Organization) help stage the yearly gathering.

 “We already have 165 organizations registered for NCBiotech Partnering 2012, including a large number of VCs and multinational life science companies,” said Peter Ginsberg, the Biotechnology Center’s vice president of Business and Technology Development.

“This event will be an excellent opportunity to initiate or solidify relationships with potential investors and partners.”

Companies such as Abbott, Biogen Idec, GlaxoSmithKline, Grifols, J&J, LabCorp, Merck, Monsanto, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis, Syngenta and UCB will have representatives available for one-on-one meetings.

Venture funds such as such as Harbert, Hatteras, MedImmune Ventures, NEA, Novartis Venture Fund, Pappas, Sofinnova, and Third Rock are also among participants in the free half-hour partnering sessions coordinated by the Biotech Center.

The sessions are open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 16, to all conference participants. The sessions are free for representatives of life science companies, universities and investors registered for the conference. Scheduling priority is given in order of registration. The cost for N.C. service providers is $250, and $500 for those from outside the state.

Registration for the partnering sessions ends Feb. 9 with the conclusion of online pre-registration for the full conference.

This year’s conference program includes a keynote address by Deborah Dunsire, M.D., president and CEO of Millenium: The Takeda Oncology Company. Bill Hawkins, who retired in 2011 as chairman and CEO of Medtronic and now serves as CEO of Immucor, opens the Feb. 16 activities with a 7:30 a.m. CEO Breakfast speech.

More information about various levels of conference registration fees, deadlines and program details is available on the CED website.