Upcoming Events at the San Diego Chapter!

"Communicating Business Development Successes and Setbacks"

by

Susan E. Atkins
Atkins + Associates

Tuesday, May 25, 2004
6:00 - 8:00 PM

La Jolla Marriott Hotel
Salon B & C
4240 La Jolla Village Drive
San Diego, CA 92037

Attn: CA Attorneys & Paralegals: This LES Chapter Meeting will qualify for 1.0 Credit of California MCLE

Appropriate communications of licensing and other business development activities are not just a good idea - they are often required by law. Yet there may be times when you may wish to be cagey or even not say anything at all. Still we all understand that letting the world know of your successes is a great way to prime the pump for your next deal.

The speaker on May 25th will be Ms. Susan Atkins, founder of Atkins + Associates, a San Diego based public relations firm, and an expert in corporate communications. She will give us an overview of the key issues to keep in mind as you craft your business development communication strategy - and even some tips on how to be prepared for potential hiccups before they occur.

Susan E. Atkins has nearly 20 years of experience in life sciences, technology, and investor relations. She was responsible for launching biotech's first product (Genentech's growth hormone) and for launching the highly successful "Maalox Moment" campaign on Wall Street. Susan served as Vice President and corporate officer for the Rorer Group and Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Group Vice President at Ketchum Public Relations (then San Francisco's largest agency), and as an executive at Genentech and Stanford Research Institute. She earned her MBA from Pepperdine, following an MA in Mass Communications and a BA in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma. She served three terms as president of the San Diego Chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI), and has been a member of the Board of Directors of Gemin X - a Montreal-based biotechnology company, the Doris Howell Foundation, the San Diego Regional Technology Alliance, and the American Heart Association Research Roundtable. Susan is active in the national Biotechnology Industry Organization and is a member of the Board of Directors of the regional BIOCOM.

Sponsorships:
Given the success of the sponsorship program started in 2003, the chapter is now signing up companies interested to sponsor our 2004 chapter meetings. If interested in sponsoring an upcoming meeting or just getting more information about the program, please contact Norm Brown, Chapter Chair-Elect at 858-826-6465 or brownn@saic.com.

Elections:
It's that time again! The chapter is now seeking nominations for candidates for the elected officer positions of the chapter, such elections to occur at the September chapter meeting. With the support of the chapter and the endorsement of the Chair, the succession of Norm Brown, currently serving as Chair-Elect is to be considered and ratified as Chair for the 2004-2005 term. The gavel will be passed at the first meeting following the LES Annual Meeting in October and a new Chair-Chair will be installed for the 2004-2005 term, which with the support of the chapter would succeed to the position of Chair for the 2005-2006 term. The role of the Chair-Elect is to provide continuity to the chapter and assist the Chair in chapter activities. In his extended 2003-2004 term, Norm has done an exceptional job in organizing the chapter's sponsorship program, and I would foresee that the incoming Chair-Elect would continue on with this effort.

If you have an interest in serving the chapter as an officer, especially as Chair-Elect, please contact Jake Schaible, Chapter Chair at 858-550-7755 or jschaible@ligand.com.

For Graduate Students:
The Licensing Executives Society USA/Canada Foundation (LES) is sponsoring a competition for graduate students interested in intellectual property and licensing issues. Participants are expected to submit a business plan with a significant Intellectual Property licensing component. Entrants will have the opportunity to receive guidance and mentorship from LES members in their area. Three groups of finalists will be selected to present their business plans at the LES Winter meeting in Denver, Colorado (February 9-11, 2005) and the winning team will have the opportunity to assist with the presentation of a workshop at the winter meeting in Denver. The LES Foundation will pay transportation to Denver, hotel room for three nights and the LES (USA/Canada) winter meeting registration fee for the three selected teams. If you have an interest in serving the chapter as an officer, especially as Chair-Elect, please contact Jake Schaible, Chapter Chair at 858-550-7755 or jschaible@ligand.com.

Deadlines:
October 1, 2004- All submissions due
December 31, 2004 - Selection of the three teams that will attend the LES Winter Meeting
February 9 - 11, 2004 - Presentation made at LES Winter Meeting in Denver

Other Business:
For those interested in slides from past presentations please check out the chapter's website: http://www.usa-canada.les.org/chapters/sandiego/ under Prior Events.

L.E.S. San Diego Chapter meetings are open to the public. RSVPs are requested (but not required) by May 21st . Cost is $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers (cash or check payable at the door). Additionally, the Marriott charges a reduced parking rate for L.E.S. attendees of $3.00 per car, with some free "on-street" parking available. Networking with hors d'oeuvres and beverages begins at 6 PM. Presentation to begin at 7 PM. For RSVPs and further information, please contact Ms. Pattie Greener at 858-550-7699 or PGreener@ligand.com.