NEW YORK, May 5, 2008 – The 21st Annual Bioprocess Technology Seminars and Exhibition, targeting the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, will be held Nov. 10–14, 2008, at Wyndham Rio Mar Resort in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.

Focused on the theme, New Insights and Real World Applications, the conference will explore the latest advances that are shaping the bioprocess technology field.  ASME is the sponsor of the conference, in which more than 70 speakers from leading pharmaceutical and biotech firms will participate.

The speakers will present applications-oriented case studies demonstrating the best practices in equipment design, process improvement and facility operations.  Twelve seminars and workshops will cover the specialty areas that experts consider to be the most meaningful in bioprocess technology, including bioprocess purification, bioreactor design, single-use technologies, process modeling, and aseptic fill and finish, among other subjects. 

Abbott, Baxter Healthcare, Genentech, Biogen, GE Healthcare, Merck & Co., Wyeth, and Amgen are among the companies to be represented at the conference, which also will include tabletop exhibits, a continuing education program presented by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and tour of the Amgen-Juncos state-of-the-art biotechnology manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico has emerged as a fast-growing center for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, with a growth rate ranking second to San Diego, Calif.

The ASME Continuing Education Institute (CEI) is host and organizer of the 21st Annual Bioprocess Technology Seminars and Exhibition.  CEI is a leader in training for the engineering and technical communities.

Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization promoting the art, science and practice of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences.  ASME develops codes and standards that enhance public safety, and provides lifelong learning and technical exchange opportunities benefiting the engineering and technology community.

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