Client Alert

The Commercial Service in the U.S. Department of Commerce is recruiting U.S. companies for a high-level Biotech Life Sciences Trade Mission to China. The trade mission will be in Beijing on October 17-18, 2011 and in Hong Kong on October 19-20, 2011. The mission will be led by a senior ranking official from the Obama Administration.

While U.S. venture capital investment in biotech and life science companies has slowed, Chinese pharmaceutical and biotech industries are demonstrating a healthy appetite for funding novel, early-stage technologies. Major U.S. biotech firms have established licensing and partnering offices in China specifically to seek these opportunities. China’s legal and regulatory landscape can be complicated market to enter for many U.S. firms. Around 200 pharmaceutical companies operate in Hong Kong, many involved in the fast-growing specialty of Chinese Traditional Medicine. These companies have excellent research facilities and business infrastructure, regulatory linkages into the mainland and a strong venture capital community. Hong Kong is also a leading center for bio-medical clinical trials in Asia.

While on the trade mission in Beijing, U.S. mission members will be briefed by the U.S. Embassy’s Counselor for Commercial Affairs, the Commercial Specialist for the biotechnology sector, and other key U.S. Government officials. Senior Embassy officials will host a networking event for the group with Chinese biotech and life science industry organizations and multipliers. In Hong Kong, U.S. participants will benefit from customized one-on-one matchmaking with potential partners, a market briefing by the Commercial Specialist for the biotech life science sector at the U.S. Consulate and networking activities.

If you are interested in being part of this trade mission, contact Commercial Officer Douglas Wallace for more information at douglas.wallace@trade.gov or call (415) 705-1765. Firms interested in the Biotech Life Science Trade Mission must submit a completed application for consideration by the Department of Commerce. Click here for more information and pre registration.
 

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This Client Alert is intended to provide information of general interest to the public and is not intended to offer legal advice about specific situations or problems. Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione does not intend to create an attorney-client relationship by offering this information and review of the information shall not be deemed to create such a relationship. You should consult a lawyer if you have a legal matter requiring attention. For further information, please contact a Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione lawyer.