The Delaware Bio Annual Awards Gala on September 25, 2008 provided an unforgettable evening with representatives from Delaware’s life sciences community joining together to recognize four individuals for their outstanding efforts and contributions to bioscience in Delaware.

Recipient of the Delaware Bio Innovation Award:

Dr. Paul A. Friedman, President & CEO
Incyte Corporation

The Gala was overwhelmingly successful with over 200 attendees from over 85 different organizations.  The Honorable James C. Greenwood, President & CEO, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) was the keynote speaker.  Mr. Greenwood addressed the current and looming political landscape and the potential impact on the bioscience industry.  Additionally Mr. Greenwood recognized Delaware for its breadth and depth across the bioscience spectrum of human health, agriculture, industrial biotechnology and animal health.

Other announcements during the evening included a change in leadership.  Chairman, Matthew H. Knight, stepped down officially with his pending move to western Pennsylvania in a senior leadership position with Siemens.  Mr. Knight successfully led the formation and expansion of Delaware Bio and its strategic planning process under his watch.  Jennifer Kmiec assumes the chairperson's role on October 1, 2008.  Ms. Kmiec's strong leadership guided the initial formation of Delaware Bio and the execution of several recent events including the Career Fair and the Gala as well as the delivery of the Delaware Bio Observer.

Delaware Bio thanks all who attended the Gala and recognizes its Gala Sponsors, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Fish & Richardson P.C., Protecs and McCarter & English, LLP for their support making the Awards Gala possible.

The Life Sciences Career Fair was organized to bring together local employers in need of qualified personnel and candidates ranging from undergraduates to Ph.D.s in search of career opportunities.

This is the first time the Delaware BioScience Association has hosted a Life Sciences Career Fair and it was overwhelmingly successful. The event was attended by 20 employers and almost 300 candidates with various backgrounds from throughout the tri-state area. We plan to offer another Life Sciences Career Fair in the near future as a benefit to our members.

Our feedback has been extremely positive.

From the employers we heard...
"The quantity and quality of the candidates were superb..."
"They were a very diverse group of individuals..."
"The event was very well organized..."
"The high school supporters were very helpful and attentive..."
"Making a room available for employers to consult with candidates was
  a great idea..."

And the candidates were equally impressed...
"Was offered a great opportunity..."
"Developed many network contacts..."
"Generated many leads for the future..."
"It was great experience..."
"Many interesting companies..."

Raffle Winners

Winner of the $100 American Express gift card:
Kinjal Patel from Dover,DE

Winner of the $50 American Express gift card:
Chris Kelly from Middletown,DE