News from Delaware BioScience Association

Dear Delaware Bio Members and Friends:

This has been an active year here at home in Delaware and in Washington, DC for Delaware Bio and our industry and it is not letting up. In this message you'll get an update on the work that the Delaware Bio Committees are engaged in and I'll mention briefly the work that Delaware Bio has been doing along with other affiliate State bio associations across the country.

The stories in this issue of the Observer are varied and cover several months since our last issue. While we all know it's a difficult year at hand, you will clearly see that there is much going on at Delaware Bio member offices and labs in 2009.

Delaware Bio got off to a great start this year following the Winterfest with the spectacular Delaware Bio Annual Awards Gala in April. There is much more on the Gala in this issue with pictures of attendees and award recipients and coverage by Gary Haber. The BioBreakfast continues to be the signature event for Delaware Bio with regular SRO attendance topping 100. More events supporting you are in store in the months ahead.

The Delaware Bio Communications Committee developed new marketing materials earlier this year to support outreach and growth of the organization. Work on a new version of the Observer and a new website approaches completion.

Take a peek at the On the Education Front section of the Observer to get caught up on the DVIN US Dept. of Labor funding that regional and Delaware organizations received. The Education and Workforce Training Committee has been busy supporting Delaware organizations in securing grant funding and other initiatives.

The Membership & Benefits Committee earlier in the year worked with partner VWR to look for ways to help members in a difficult economy. VWR offered new steeper discounts and more support for Delaware Bio programs throughout the year. VWR is the key sponsor for the BioBreakfast series and the Winterfest and a major sponsor of the Annual Awards Gala and the Delaware Bio Career Fair.

On the legislative front, Delaware Bio has teamed with state bio associations across the country advocating patent reform to fuel and protect innovation and new biosimilars legislation promoting patient safety. Healthcare reform has taken center stage and Delaware Bio is weighing in as necessary to support our bioscience industry.

That's a wrap for now. Please enjoy this Delaware Bio Observer and we look forward to including your stories in future issues.

Yours truly,

Bob Dayton
President
Delaware Bio