Diversity Alliance for Science Announces Inaugural Conference

Morristown, NC, March 25, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Diversity Alliance for Science, Inc. (DA4S) (www.diversityallianceforscience.com) will hold its inaugural networking conference and expo on May 19-20 at the Westin Governors Morris in Morristown, N.J. The two-day event will focus on developing and integrating more minority, women, veteran and disabled-owned businesses into the life sciences space.

The 2008 DA4S networking conference and expo is expected to draw top-level pharmaceutical executives, high-ranking government officials and CEOs of diverse scientific and clinical enterprises. The supplier base will be focused around the following industry services:

• Clinical Research
• Drug Discovery
• Biotechnology Support
• Drug Analysis and Assay
• DNA/RNA Extraction
• Scientific Analytical
• Clinical Packaging
• Clinical Data Management
• Virology
• Regulatory Compliance
• Printing/Labeling
• Bar Coding/RFID
• Central Laboratories
• Stability Testing
• Biomarkers Analysis
• Chemical Synthesis
• Biology
• Pharmacokinetic
• IRBs
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Patient Recruitment
• Other related services

The event will feature leaders from pharmaceuticals, government agencies, universities and contract research organizations addressing the needs for diversity in the life sciences industry. A comprehensive educational component led by industry procurement, diversity and scientific leaders will be held in the afternoon of May 19. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. on May 20, formally kicking off the corporate tradeshow portion of the conference. The corporate tradeshow will provide corporations an opportunity to meet top women, minority, veteran-service and disabled-owned suppliers of products ands services that support the clinical and scientific arena. Merck & Co., Inc. is the keynote sponsor for the event.

“This organization believes that diversity creates scientific innovation,” said Leah Brown, president of ATEN Solutions, Inc., a minority and woman-owned clinical support firm. “We believe that diversity leads to healthcare innovation, which drives leading-edge competitiveness, economic development and growth within communities. To that end, there has been a push by major drug developers to identify and develop diverse suppliers to support their clinical and scientific research efforts.”

“Research and development is one of the fastest growing industries in the world,” said Dan Nardi, global procurement director of Merck & Co. “It is a business imperative that the information, products and services feeding its growth is supplemented by minority, woman and veteran-owned suppliers.”

About Diversity Alliance for Science, Inc. (DA4S):
Diversity Alliance for Science, Inc. (DA4S) is a nonprofit organization aimed to provide pharmaceutical/bio-tech companies, academic medical centers and governmental agencies the ability to identify, develop, mentor and partner with woman, minority, veteran and disabled-owned enterprises (both large and small) in the life sciences industry. For more information, please visit www.diversityallianceforscience.com.

Patty Briguglio
MMI Associates, Inc.
(919) 233-6600
patty@mmimarketing.com
PR Firms Raleigh, NC

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