Oregon Bio 2012, the annual conference of the Oregon Bioscience Association, was hosted by the Department of Science & Mathematics of Marylhurst University in October. Nearly 250 area biotech industry supporters gathered to hear a variety of speakers, including Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and State Treasurer Ted Wheeler.

The first of two days of seminars addressed ways to find biotech investment money as well as company partners. The second focused on digitization including wireless and mobiles developments as wells as advances in data analysis.

In his keynote address, Senator Wyden discussed the political perspective of bioscience's prospects in Washington, D.C. He shared his thoughts on some of the most pressing issues, focusing on how the Oregon bioscience industry could position itself for success as the United States attempts to re-invent its healthcare system. State Treasurer Wheeler spoke to the importance of building a strong financial foundation for future entrepreneurship. He outlined a strategy designed to keep Oregon competitive into the next millennium.

The festivities featured a competition-of-sorts among companies that presented business plans to prospective investors. The investors voted on the best pitches during the conference. The Portland law firm Alleman Hall McCoy Russell & Tuttle LLP offered the winning company several services, including patent applications that equated to $1,500 worth of the firm's regular charges.