Conference Scheduled for May 17, 2006

Boca Raton, FL - December 15, 2005 - The Enterprise Development Corporation (EDC), a public/private partnership specializing in providing strategic business development services to emerging science and technology companies, today announced that its 5th Annual Bioscience Conference, Biotech 2006, will be hosted by Nova Southeastern University (NSU). The goal of the conference is to foster collaboration between industry and academia in South Florida and facilitate the growth of this vital industry in our region. The theme of the conference is âBench to Bedside: South Florida Partnerships in Research & Medicine,âand it will feature poster presentations in conjunction with corporate and university sessions and sponsor exhibits.

"South Florida research institutes, universities, companies and clinical partners are on the cutting edge of advancements in life sciences, and we are delighted that Nova Southeastern University, with such innovative programs in these areas, is hosting the conference this year," said Jane Teague, EDC Executive Director. "We are fortunate to have NSU as our partner and anticipate a very successful event."

"Nova Southeastern University and its sister schools share the view that we are not only bringing together the bioscience community in our own region, but that we are also establishing South Florida as an emerging economic engine within the global bioscience community," said Fred Lippman, Ph.D., Chancellor of the Health Professions Division of Nova Southeastern University and Executive Board Member of the Florida Research Consortium.

"We look forward to bringing this important conference to our campus, and to showcasing South Florida bioscience partnerships where theory and practice intersect," said George Hanbury II, Ph.D., Nova Southeastern Universityâs executive vice president for administration. "Collaboration is vital when taking scientific discovery to the patient, and this conference will uncover new partnership opportunities that will enhance the emerging biotech field in South Florida."

BioTech 2006 is jointly sponsored by local industry and academia to showcase advances in Life Sciences in South Florida. Sponsors of last yearâs conference included: Akerman Senterfitt, Avaya, Beckman Coulter, Chemir Analytical Services, Christopher & Weisberg, Cordis Corporation, Corporate Creations, Edwards & Angell, HIG Ventures, IBM Healthcare & Life Sciences, Inter-Tel, Lasher Associates, McDermott Will & Emery, Nabi Biopharmaceuticals, Noven Pharmaceuticals, Product Genesis, RSM McGladrey, Ruden McClosky, Summit Global Partners, The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, UK Trade & Investment, and Viragen. Academic sponsors included Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, University of Florida and the University of Miami.