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Proteins as Drugs: Overcoming Hurdles and Future Challenges

This year, the Crossroad of Biotechnology will present the 12th edition of its annual conference, to be held at the Biotechnology Research Institute of the National Research Council (NRC-BRI). Over the years, this conference has become an event that is not to be missed. Members of the scientific community gather in Montreal to meet with members of the business community working in biotechnology in the fields of health, the environment and bioprocesses. Each year, the Crossroad focuses on one of these three fields in turn.

In 2007, the spotlight will be on health and, more specifically, current and future generations of therapeutic proteins and the development of protein and peptide mimetics. This year's conference will shed light on the latest developments and trends in research and on commercial applications in this rapidly emerging field. The first ever BioTransfer event will provide, for the first time in Montréal, a "one-stop shop" business-like environment for companies interested in technology in-licensing.

Intended for key industry leaders, researchers and other stakeholders in the pharmaceutical and health industries, the Crossroad is at the heart of genomics research and therapeutic protein issues. This year, the symposium will bring together researchers and guest speakers from around the world to share their knowledge of scientific developments concerning families of therapeutic proteins with promising applications and strategies for reducing the size and increasing the effectiveness of proteins.

With some of the world's most advanced technologies at its disposal, the Health Sector of NRC-BRI focuses its expertise and resources on understanding molecular functions, structures and behaviour. Its research program is aimed at developing drugs, identifying molecular disease targets, and discovering and designing potential therapeutic agents.

NRC-BRI invites you to take part in the 12th edition of the Crossroad, to be held in Montreal on June 13 and 14, 2007.