Invest Northwest 2007 Panels Cover Life Science Company Liquidity, Business in China, Imaging, Immune Modulation & More!

SEATTLE, March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Invest Northwest, the Pacific Northwest's premier CEO and investor forum for the life sciences produced by the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association, will feature the most innovative and topical panel discussions offered in the history of the conference. Invest Northwest, March 20-21, 2007, includes two days of presentations from 57 of the Pacific Northwest's most innovative life science companies, plus panelists and speakers on these topics:

Monday, March 20: Opening Address: * Ed Fritzky, former CEO, Immunex: "A Hot Tub Near, Carefree" Morning Concurrent Panels: * "Life Science Business in China" moderated by Ed Hotard, ARCH Venture Partners; with Michael Birt, National Bureau of Asian Research; and Peter Galen, Asia Life Science Ventures * "Starting Companies in the Accelerator" moderated by Matt O'Donnell, University of Washington School of Engineering; with David Schubert, Accelerator Corp; Bob Nelsen, ARCH Venture Partners; Johnny Stine, Spaltudaq; Steve Wiley, VLST. Luncheon Panel: * "Global Health: Biotechnology and the Developing World" moderated by Rick Klausner, The Column Group with Wendy Taylor, BIOVentures for Global Health; Steve Reed, Infectious Disease Research Institute; and Sarah Frew, University of Toronto. Afternoon Concurrent Panels: * "What's Hot & What is Not in Early Stage Investments" moderated Roger Longman, Windhover, with Andy Schwab, 5AM Ventures; Patrick Heron, Frazier Healthcare Ventures; David Mauney, De Novo Ventures; and Ellen Koskinas, Interwest Partners. * "Crossover/Late Stage Investment Strategies" moderated by George Montgomery, Montgomery & Co. with David Singer, Maverick Capital; Greg Bohlen, Wasatch Advisors; and Kurt von Emster, MPM Bioventures Afternoon Keynote: * John Milligan, EVP & CFO, Gilead Sciences: "Gilead Sciences - Building On Our Foundation By Extending Our Reach" Wednesday, March 21 Morning Panel: * "Achieving Liquidity in an Uncertain Market" moderated by George Milstein, Pacific Growth Equities. Bruce Montgomery, Gilead Sciences; Larry Fritz, Anadys; and Barbara Yanni, Merck. Mid-morning Concurrent Panels: * "The Imaging Industry in the Northwest and Beyond" moderated by Fred Silverstein, Frazier Healthcare Ventures, with Lonnie Edelheit, GE; Norm Beauchamp, UW School of Radiology; and Kevin Goodwin, SonoSite. * "New Approaches to Immune Modulation: Products for the Future" moderated by Steve Gillis, ARCH Venture Partners, with Rob Hershberg, VentiRx; Craig Smith, VLST; Ed Engelman, Stanford University; Gerry Nepom, Benaroya Research Institute. Closing Luncheon Panel: * "Alternative Paths to Liquidity - When T Rowe Price Won't Buy Your Portfolio Company's IP" moderated by Michael Kranda, Vulcan Inc, with Steven Rocamboli, Paramount Capital; Lisa Conte, Napo Pharmaceuticals; Raymond King, Toronto Stock Exchange; and Paul Brooke, Ithaka Acquisition Corp. Register online for Invest Northwest at http://www.washbio.org/ .

For media registration or to inquire about a limited number of remaining sponsorship opportunities, email pamlove@washbio.org .

About the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association

Based in Seattle, the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association (WBBA) is a not-for-profit statewide association of biotechnology and medical device companies, research institutions and related organizations working together to extend better health to people everywhere. For more information about WBBA, visit http://www.wabio.com/.

To register for events, visit http://www.washbio.org/ .

Invest Northwest 2007, March 20-21 in Seattle, is the regional CEO & investor forum for life sciences in the Pacific Northwest. Invest Northwest is organized by the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association (WBBA) in collaboration with BioAlberta, BioIdaho, Life Sciences British Columbia, the Montana Bioscience Alliance and the Oregon Bioscience Association.

Platinum Partner Sponsors of WBBA's Invest Northwest 2007 are Preston Gates and Ellis LLP and Moss Adams LLP.

Contact: Pam Love (206) 732-6705 pamlove@washbio.org