Life science conference doubles as matchmaker

Some of the most valuable sessions at next week's CED Life Science Conference are likely to take place behind closed doors.

About 200 one-on-one meetings have been scheduled between young, entrepreneurial companies, large companies and investors -- up from about 50 last year. The 20-minute sessions will enable the parties to explore strategic partnerships, acquisitions, investments and more.

The soaring popularity of the private partnering meetings, which were first incorporated into the conference two years ago, is no mystery. The No. 1 reason people attend the conference each year is to network, said Dhruv Patel, program director.

In addition, CED and its two conference partners -- the N.C. Biotechnology Center and NC Biosciences Industry Organization -- have invested in new software that enables improved match-making, said Patel. The software enables companies requesting a meeting to  create a multi-media profile that can include a video, business plan and other information about themselves -- as well as the type of partner they're seeking.

Altogether about 800 attendees are expected at this year's conference, including representatives of 40 venture capital firms from across the country. Those numbers are comparable to last year.

The conference is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 15 and 16, at the Raleigh Convention Center.

The conference targeted North Carolina pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for its first 20 years, but last year expanded its focus to include medical device and diagnostic companies in recognition of their growing presence in the state, Patel said. This year CED has made a concerted effort to balance each of its panels of experts at the conference so that the broad range of life science companies are represented.

Sixteen companies seeking funding will make 10-minute presentations -- 8 biopharma and 8 device and diagnostic companies. All the presenters are Triangle companies.

You can go here for more information about the conference. The pre-registration deadline is February 9; there also will be on-site registration during the conference.