Bio Philadelphia 2005
Purpose: To promote Hawaii’s life science developments at the largest and most prestigious biotechnology industry event in the world. Twenty organizations representing private industry, academia and government from the State of Hawaii participated in BIO 2005 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. In addition to obtaining information from the Hawaii Pavilion, conference attendees were treated to Hawaiian hospitality with transgenic or “Rainbow” Papaya smoothies that were served from the Hawaii Pavilion. The Rainbow papaya is a virus resistant papaya that was developed through a partnership between the University of Hawaii, Cornell University and the US Department of Agriculture and literally saved the papaya industry in Hawaii. It is one important example of agricultural biotechnology developed in Hawaii. Conference participants also learned about Hawaii’s generous incentives for technology businesses which is 100% tax credit on investments up to $2 million per company, per year; refundable research and development income tax credit; and other competitive incentives. Results/Outcome: Over 250 contacts were made during the BIO 2005. A collaboration was made with Delaware’s EPSCor program. | |