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Statewide conference to explore Ohio bioscience industry's impact on chronic disease

Around 150 of Ohio’s top bioscience, health, venture capital, and economic development experts will gather at BioPharma in Ohio III: Fighting Chronic Disease with Innovation & Products from Ohio on May 7 in Columbus to explore what Ohio’s bioscience industry is currently doing and what else can be done to develop treatments for chronic diseases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic diseases – on-going, generally incurable illnesses, such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease – account for 75 percent of the nation’s medical care costs. A groundbreaking study released by the Milken Institute, An Unhealthy America: The Economic Burden of Chronic Disease, also found that more than 6.7 million cases of seven common chronic diseases were reported in Ohio in 2003, resulting in $13.5 billion in treatment expenditures.

“Chronic diseases are obviously very costly to our health care system,” said Tony Dennis, the emcee of the event and the president and CEO of BioOhio, one of the event’s coordinators. “But there is tremendous economic potential for research institutions and businesses that can find the cures for these diseases, which according to all estimates, will continue to become more prevalent in the years to come.”

The conference agenda includes renowned researchers and state leaders, who will discuss the challenges, trends and opportunities around the dramatic impact of chronic diseases in Ohio. Dr. Ken Thorpe, the executive director of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, is the keynote speaker, while Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher will deliver closing remarks.

The conference panels are comprised of representatives from Ohio’s world class research institutions and businesses, including the Cleveland Clinic, Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, The Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Ohio University, and Prologue Research. (A complete list of speakers and panelists can be found at www.ohiobizbio.com/agenda.htm.)

Coordinated with BioOhio, the event is the third in a series of BioPharma in Ohio conferences, which are part of the national Biz/Bio program designed to build awareness of the economic and clinical impact of the nation’s pharmaceutical industry. More information about the biopharmaceutical industry’s contributions to the Ohio and U.S. economy can be found at www.biopharmaimpact.com.

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BioOhio (formerly Omeris) is a non-profit organization supported by the Thomas Edison Program of the Ohio Department of Development. Its mission is to accelerate bioscience discovery, innovation and commercialization of global value, driving economic growth, and improving quality of life in Ohio. BioOhio is headquartered in Columbus, with regional business development affiliates in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Athens.