The Excel Conference and Exhibition Centre at London is set to host PABORD 2004-the dedicated event on outsourcing solutions for pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies active in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics.

Nearly 200 companies around the world and scores of industry experts representing organisations will gather to present papers at this two-day event to be held during September 28th and 29th.

The two-day meet will focus on promoting the strategic and business advantages of outsourcing activities across the entire discovery and development value chain including· compound screening. Pharmacology, ADME, toxicology, medicinal and process chemistry, pharmaceutical formulation, GMP manufacture, analytical services, regulatory submissions, clinical trial management, informatics, intellectual property management and human resources.

Contract research organisations (CROs), contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs), contract development organisations (CDOs), consultants, trade magazines, providers of enabling technologies, intellectual property management organisations, human resource advisors from across the continents will exchange ideas and exhibit their products in the event.

High profile executives spanning across research and development, scientists and decision-makers from pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, business development executives, industry consultants.

The architect of the Conference is Dr Rob Williams who has spent nearly 20 years working in R&D in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector. Dr Christopher Milne, assistant director of The Tufts Centre for the study of Drug Development, will open the PABORD conference by presenting a paper on the evolving role of CRO's in supporting the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Dr David Cavalla, CEO, Arachnova, UK and an expert in outsourcing will open the second day of the conference with a paper entitled "Outsourcing of complex multidisciplinary R&D programmes in drug development: benefits and challenges."