The Biotechnology Industry Association (BIO) today announced a record number of employers, job postings and job seekers at the recent BIO Career Fair in Boston, Mass. The Career Fair drew an estimated 4,000 job seekers, 68 exhibitors and 273 job postings.

"The BIO Career Fair is a good indicator of the overall growth of the biotechnology industry," said Robbi Lycett, vice president for conferences and conventions at BIO. "This year, the event drew record attendance and offered job seekers the opportunity to meet with more potential employers than ever before."

The BIO Career Fair was held in conjunction with the 2007 BIO International Convention, sponsored by BIO, on May 6-9, 2007 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. BIO partnered with the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, BostonWorks, and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council for the Career Fair.

"The job fair is a very important effort," said Mark Robinson, acting president of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. "It helps our members - some with very specific hiring needs - identify strong potential candidates. And for job seekers, the job fair helps them find the company offering the best fit for them."

The BIO Career Fair turnout complements findings from the recent survey on the life sciences industry conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers with support from the New England Healthcare Institute, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, and Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council. The report, "Super Cluster: Ideas, Perspectives and Updates from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Industry," shows that biotechnology has experienced the highest growth in jobs in the life sciences sector. There are approximately 19,700 workers in biotechnology, which accounts for 27 percent of jobs in the life sciences sector. This is more than a 20 percent increase from 2001 - 2005, according to the report.

"This is an exciting time for jobseekers in the biotech industry right now," said Pearl Freier, president of biotech search firm Cambridge BioPartners. "I haven't seen so many actively hiring employers from around the world at a biotech career event in Boston in seven years. It is a strong indication of a healthy job market in biotech."

The resume posting and job posting service will be available year round at www.biocareerfair. The 2008 BIO Career Fair will be held in San Diego, Calif. in conjunction with the 2008 BIO International Convention, June 17-20, 2008. Details regarding the event will be posted on the site. Exhibiting inquiries may be directed to Ms. Chris Reed at reedcaaps.

About BIO

Founded in 1993, BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO produces the annual BIO International Convention, the world's largest annual gathering of the biotechnology industry.

www.bio.

About AAPS

Founded in 1986, the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) is an individual membership society of 13,000 pharmaceutical scientists who have joined together to serve the public and their own common professional interests. AAPS is not a trade organization; it is a non-profit organization that serves as an educational, scientific and scholarly body.

About The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council

The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MBC), founded in 1985, is a not-for-profit organization that represents and provides services and support for the Massachusetts biotechnology industry. The MBC is committed to advancing the development of critical new science, technology and medicines that benefit people worldwide. Representing over 500 companies, academic institutions and service organizations involved in life sciences and health care, the MBC works with public leaders to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs and events, industry information, and services.

www.massbio