MINISTER LEADS TEAM SASK MISSION TO BIO CONFERENCE

Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline will lead a Team Saskatchewan delegation to promote Saskatchewan's achievements and opportunities in life sciences at BIO 2006, the biotechnology industry's premiere international event, in Chicago, April 8th-10th, 2006.

Eleven bio-sector organizations representing industry, public sector, and academic interests will promote a range of services and investment opportunities to over 18,000 biotech executives, investors, journalists, policy makers and scientists from more than 60 countries.

"It takes a strong network of university, public sector and private sector research and development to create a bio-centre such as ours," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "Saskatchewan has brought it all together successfully, resulting in the largest concentration of life sciences R&D in Canada. We are competing against other provinces and countries at BIO 2006 to ensure Saskatchewan's positive messages are top of mind with the business executives and investors we meet with in Chicago. We know that getting out and talking to people generates business for Saskatchewan."

Saskatoon's competitiveness will be one such positive message. The province's hub for life sciences has moved from second to first place as the lowest cost location in a comparison of 21 cities in the North American Midwest. According to KPMG's Competitive Alternatives Report released one week ago, Saskatoon bumped Edmonton from the number one spot.

Team Saskatchewan's participation in BIO 2006 is championed by Ag-West Bio Inc., which has spearheaded similar missions in the past.

This year's participants include: Ag-West Bio Inc.; Innovation Place Research Park; Prairie Plant Systems Inc.; Canadian Light Source; Saskatchewan Industry and Resources; University of Saskatchewan – Industry Liaison Office; VIDO – Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization; Performance Plants Inc.; Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority Inc.; and a representative of the ABIC – Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jennifer Redston Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 7871691