Betting on Change - The Venture Forum in 2008

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May. 14 /PRNewswire/ --

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Shining a spotlight on the ever-growing field of life sciences, Larta Institute's 14th Annual Venture Forum will provide a ray of hope in the midst of the dark backdrop of the current economy. This year the Forum has the unparalleled opportunity to focus on brilliant entrepreneurs in the life sciences, even while concerns are surfacing on broader economic issues. "For 14 years, through good economic times and bad, the passion and ingenuity of entrepreneurs has been an inspiration for us all," says Rohit Shukla, CEO of Larta Institute. Therefore, Larta's focus on market-ready and well-coached seed-stage companies from across the globe attracts the most experienced, insightful and driven industry leaders to this "marketplace of ideas and solutions."

"Financing for innovation is always challenging, especially when the world economy is dealing with inflation, deflation, high energy prices, economic downturn and credit market crises," said G. Steven Burrill, CEO of Burrill & Company, and a featured keynote speaker. "The Venture Forum brings together innovation and capital in a creative atmosphere -- this kind of financing is the hallmark of an innovative society." Burrill & Company is co-producing the event with Larta Institute. The other noteworthy keynote speakers this year, including Boris Nikolic of the Gates Foundation and Mary Woolley, president of Research!America, and a host of seasoned industry executives, will describe and embrace the advancements, opportunities and pitfalls of this critical sector.

The Venture Forum is the culmination of Larta's close mentoring of showcased innovators over the course of many months, and as such is considered the premier platform for emerging companies to present and exhibit for serious investors and industry executives. "Larta's Venture Forum offers an exciting opportunity to view compelling emerging technology innovations -- this fits well with P&G Health Care's objectives, which are focused on external discovery to fill our pipeline," said Bruce Halpryn of Procter & Gamble Health Care. "The ideas being pitched at the Forum are of great interest to us in our continuing search for innovative technologies that could drive new business opportunities for P&G Health Care."

In this "rich brew of innovation," as Shukla refers to it, presenting companies are specially selected from the National Institutes of Health's Commercialization Assistance Program, managed by Larta institute. In addition, an equal number are selected from Larta's network, representing 36 states, 12 universities and entrepreneurs from Larta's Global Bridge network, this year featuring Brazil and Canada.

Larta Institute's track record of success ensures that this year's event will once again present great new business opportunities not seen on the regular conference circuit.

2008 Life Sciences Venture Forum, Friday, May 30 -- Santa Clara Convention Center: http://www.theventureforum.com

Attendee Registration: http://www.theventureforum.com/registration.asp

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

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

For information about Larta Institute, visit http://www.larta.org Contact: Constanza Pachon Tel. 213/538-1451 Email: cpachon@larta.org

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