Institute for International Research

The launch of IBC's AsiaTIDES, February 23rd through 25th in Tokyo, was a great success according to all who attended. Over 200 scientists and executives participated; 13 companies exhibited; and several sponsors including Avecia OligoMedicines, Agilent Technologies, GeneDesign and NOF Corporation supported the program.

TIDES Oligonucleotide and Peptide® Technology and Product Development Conference has been held 20 times—10 in the US and 10 in Europe. TIDES is the only conference to focus on technology and product development, manufacturing and partnering in the field of oligonucleotide- and peptide-based therapeutics and diagnostics. Approximately 750 attendees, speakers and exhibitors from around the world networked and learned at TIDES® 2008 in the US and a similar number are expected to attend TIDES® 2009 May 17-20 in Las Vegas.

A special agenda was developed for Asian and Japanese pharmaceutical researchers as well as for academic scientists and executives. Presentations included strategies on how to move programs to the later stages of development. Updates from the most advanced companies around the world which allowed attendees from the Asia Pacific region to benchmark research and development in RNAi and other oligonucleotide- and peptide-based programs.

Attendees at AsiaTIDES were able to learn how to advance their research, build their network of partners and collaborators as well as grow their company's development program and their careers.

The Second Annual AsiaTIDES is tentatively planned for February 22-24, 2010 in Tokyo. Plan now to attend!

Keynote Presentations
	Yoshikazu Nakamura, Ph.D. University of Tokyo; Ribomic Japan		Akira Yamada, Ph.D. Kurume University Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy Japan
	Junichi Yano, Ph.D. Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd. Japan		Takumi Kawabe, M.D., Ph.D. CanBas Japan
Featured Presentations
	Larry Gold, Ph.D. SomaLogic, Inc. USA		Rachel Meyers, Ph.D. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals USA

"What makes TIDES so special is going to a conference where you learn about research and clinical updates before anyone else, and meet 'key players' in the field. The workshop and main session are first class. I look forward to participating in this fine event in the years to come. "
- Masad J. Damha, Ph.D., F.C.I.C., James McGill Professor of Chemistry, McGill University, Canada

"AsiaTIDES: A first-of-its-kind meeting in Asia providing valuable insight into this niche area."
- Philip R. Oldfield, Ph.D., Scientific Director, Immunochemistry, Laboratory Sciences, Charles River Laboratories PCS-MTL, Canada

"The concentration of key industry players at TIDES is fantastic; the event is tremendously useful… Almost all the important decision-makers attended TIDES 2008."
- Simon May, Ph.D., Global Director, Business-to-Business Sales, Life Science Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific, United Kingdom

"A fantastic Asian debut of a very successful US and European TIDES."
- G. Susan Srivatsa, Ph.D., President, Elixin Pharma