Larta Institute Partners With Burrill & Company to Present the 14th Annual Life Sciences Venture Forum

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Apr. 10 /PRNewswire/ --

SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Dedicating this year's Venture Forum to the life sciences industry, Larta Institute and Burrill & Company have announced a partnership in developing and producing the 2008 Life Sciences Venture Forum, which will showcase the most promising and innovative seed and early-stage life sciences companies from the U.S. and around the globe. The 2008 Life Sciences Venture Forum will take place on May 30, 2008, at the Santa Clara Convention Center and will provide venture capitalists, angel investors and industry representatives the opportunity to get a first look at companies that are not seen on the regular conference circuit and cannot be accessed via traditional pipelines.

"This partnership unites the best of the best," said Rohit Shukla, CEO of Larta Institute. "It extends the reach, brand and credibility of Burrill & Company to the world of early-stage innovations and Larta Institute's own focus and access to that pool of talent," he added. "With this partnership, the Venture Forum grows several notches."

G. Steven Burrill, CEO of Burrill & Company, said, "Different areas of discovery are converging in the life sciences. There is no more exciting a time for emerging innovations to fill large holes in the realization of these trends." He added that "the 2008 Life Sciences Venture Forum promises to be an important platform for demonstration and feedback of these innovations, and we are excited to be a part of it."

Now 14 years strong, the Venture Forum is the largest and longest-running showcase of early stage innovation and entrepreneurship. It is the must-attend event for those seeking access to untapped early-stage deal flow from around the world.

Larta Institute's Commercialization Assistance Practice is rooted in a set of year-round programs that uncover, coach and train innovators funded by institutions such as the National Institutes of Health, the US Department of Agriculture and a network of over 25 universities. Larta's practice extends to all corners of the globe, uncovering market-ready innovations spinning out of research institutes and leading R&D centers. Through its dedicated Life Science Practice, Larta Institute works with more than 100 emerging companies every year.

Burrill & Company works exclusively with life sciences companies; through its industry expertise, Burrill & Company gives pioneering companies the tools they need to start strong and maintain growth via venture capital funds, merchant banking and the formation of business development partnerships. Unsurpassed in industry networking, Burrill & Company provides invaluable resources, strategies and years of dedicated experience to promising life sciences companies.

Burrill & Company's specific expertise and breadth of knowledge in life sciences constitute a strong complement to Larta Institute's commercialization assistance practice and industry network. The resources and commitment of both partner organizations will be leveraged to advance the visibility and success of all presenting and exhibiting entrepreneurs at the 2008 Life Sciences Venture Forum.

2008 Life Sciences Venture Forum (May 30, 2008 - Santa Clara Convention Center)

Attendee Registration Registration for the event is $995. Register early to receive a 40% discount. Go to http://www.theventureforum.com/registration.asp.

Credentialed Media: To register for a press pass, please contact Avi Kulokas at akulokas@larta.org or 213-538-1451.

Sponsorship Opportunities For information on sponsorship opportunities contact Carlos Gutierrez at cgutierrez@larta.org or 213-538-1453.

For more information about Larta Institute, please visit http://www.larta.org.

For more information about Burrill & Company, please visit http://www.burrillandcompany.com.

Contact: Constanza Pachon Tel.: 213/538-1451 Email: cpachon@larta.org

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