Singapore: The 2^nd annual BIO Convention in China, a partnering and investor conference that will bring together executives from biotechnology, pharmaceutical companies and investment firms from North America, Europe and Asia to meet and explore business opportunities with China's emerging biotech sector, will take place October 24 and 25, 2012, in Shanghai, China.

"As China positions itself as a major global player in the international biotechnology arena, it has included biotechnology as one of the seven strategic priorities for scientific and technological development in its 12th Five-year Plan," said Mr Alan Eisenberg, executive vice president of Emerging Companies and Business Development at BIO. "Through distinguished speakers, exemplary programming, compelling company presentations and exhibiting and networking opportunities, BIO China allows attendees to explore the vast business opportunities afforded by China's emerging biotech sector."

Dr Michael Rosenblatt, executive vice president and chief medical officer for Merck, will provide one of two keynote addresses on October 25. Directly following Dr Rosenblatt's keynote, Dr Peng Wang, chief scientific officer, Simcere, will deliver his remarks. Governor Jon Huntsman, former US Ambassador to China and Governor of Utah, will provide the third keynote address. Additional keynote speakers will be announced at a later date.

Panel sessions will highlight the latest issues and trends related to doing business in China. Preliminary program topics include the globalization of Chinese companies; innovation in generics and biosimilars; comparative legal systems in the US, Europe and China; R&D trends in China; trends in cancer research and regulatory review in China.