SCBIZ Daily Staff

The Palmetto Biotechnology Alliance, a group that promotes the expansion of biotechnology in South Carolina, will hold its annual conference Sept. 18-19 at the North Charleston Convention Center.

The Palmetto Biotechnology Alliance is the state affiliate for the global Biotechnology Industry Organization. The conference at the North Charleston Convention Center will highlight opportunities for biotechnology growth in the agriculture, food and beverage and chemical industries.

Seminar topics include:
• The Queensland Life Science Success Story.
• Biochemistry Demand in the Chemical Industry and the Opportunity for South Carolina.
• Applications of Agricultural Biotechnology in Forestry and the ArborGen Story.
• Biofuels and the Osage Project in South Carolina.
• Developing Ethanol from Cellulose in South Carolina.

Peter Beattie, former Australian premier and Queensland, Australia, government trade commissioner to the Americas, will be the keynote speaker.

Other speakers include:
• Dr. Gregory Milman, director of the Office of Innovation and Special Programs, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
• Dr. Harish Radkrishna, senior scientist of the strategic research department of The Coca-Cola Co.
• Damien Perriman, business leader of biosciences of Dow Chemical Co.
• James Mann, vice president of business development and finance of ArborGen, a company that performs energy and cross-pollination research in South Carolina.

The Palmetto Biotechnology Alliance works to expand the infrastructure, legislative and funding requirements that help life science companies thrive. The group offers its members networking opportunities for the business, research, investment, government and support service sectors.

“This conference serves as a great medium for businesses to benefit from networking and information-sharing,” said alliance President Beth Meredith.

Registration for the conference costs $250 for members and $300 for nonmembers before Aug. 30 and includes all conference materials and meals. After Aug. 30, the cost is $300 for members and $350 for nonmembers.

For more information, visit the alliance’s Web site www.palmettobio.org or call Katie McQueeney at 843-876-1900.