South Carolina Life Sciences Conference Features BIO global CEO Jim Greenwood, 50 National Speakers

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Sept. 26, 2018 - PRLog -- BIO global CEO Jim Greenwood will join more than 50 additional national speakers at SCBIO 2018 – the annual conference bringing top leaders and executives from life sciences organizations across the state and nation to Charleston, South Carolina October 23-25.

Mr. Greenwood will address the gathering with a keynote presentation entitled "Global Perspectives for Life Sciences – Compelling Opportunity for South Carolina" the morning of the conference opening on October 24.  His presentation will be bracketed by two high-powered panel discussions – a feature panel comprised of top pharmaceutical executives entitled "Pharma's Future in the Palmetto State and Beyond," and followed by the Southeast US Economic Development Luncheon featuring an address by Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.  The luncheon will be capped by a panel featuring life sciences economic development CEOs from across the Southeastern region.  Conference Chair and Womble Bond Dickinson partner Stephanie Yarbrough will moderate the luncheon panel.

Scores of top industry chief executives, leaders in government and higher education, biotechnology and pharma executives, clinicians and researchers, and industry supporters from across America have already registered to attend SCBIO 2018 at Charleston's Gaillard Auditorium, with registration already doubling the pace of 2017.  Among committed speakers and panelists are DePuy Synthes Global Orthopedic Leader I.V. Hall, Nephron Pharmaceuticals CEO Lou Kennedy, J.P. Morgan Executive Director of Healthcare Investment Banking Bell Zhong, MUSC President David Cole, USC President Harris Pastides, Siemens Healthineers North Americas President Dave Pacitti, and numerous others.

Themed "Connect.  Collaborate.  Advance!" the 2+ day conference draws attendees from across America for networking, innovation updates, opportunity discovery, partnership making and strategic discussion.  Committed attendees include officials across a broad spectrum of life sciences industries including medical devices, bio manufacturing, drug discovery, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and testing, digital health and health IT, bio ag  and more.  Space is limited and advance registration is still available online at http://www.scbio.org.

SCBIO is South Carolina's investor-driven economic development organization exclusively focused on building, advancing, and growing the life sciences industry in the state.  The industry has an $11.4 billion economic impact in the Palmetto State, with more than 400 firms directly involved and 15,000 professionals employed in the research, development and commercialization of innovative healthcare, medical device, industrial, environmental and agricultural biotechnology products.

SCBIO 2018 kicks off Tuesday evening October 23 with an Opening Reception for conference registrants, speakers and sponsors at The Dewberry Hotel, presented by Explore Charleston and The Dewberry.  Wednesday will feature a complete day of sessions beginning at breakfast and continuing through a gala evening reception presented by Womble Bond Dickinson.  The conference will wrap up Thursday at lunchtime.

"The life sciences industry is a major driver of South Carolina's economy, and this conference is testament to the industry's growing impact, reach and rapidly rising economic significance in our state and region," noted SCBIO President and CEO Sam Konduros. "Already accounting for thousands of highly-skilled jobs in the Palmetto State, this sector has tremendous growth potential, and we're excited to showcase the top companies, research universities and leaders from across our state and country at SCBIO 2018."

Among leading biotech and med-tech industry brands participating in the conference are Nephron Pharmaceutical, BIO, Johnson & Johnson, AVX, PhRMA, DePuy Synthes, Medpoint, AdvaMed, Poly-Med, VWR, Ritedose Corporation, Rhythmlink, SoftBox Systems, ZEUS, Patheon Thermo Fisher and more.  All of South Carolina's research universities – MUSC, Clemson and the University of South Carolina – are represented, as are major healthcare systems, and economic development entities including the South Carolina Department of Commerce, SCRA, the Upstate SC Alliance, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, Central Carolina Alliance and SiMT.

As the official state affiliate of BIO -- the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology organizations – SCBIO members include hundreds of academic institutions, biotech companies, entrepreneurial organizations, service providers, thought leaders, economic development organizations and related groups whose members are leading the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products that transform how we heal, fuel and feed the world.

For additional information on SCBIO or to register for SCBIO 2018, visit SCBIO.org online.