FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Al Rickard, 703-402-9713 or arickard@associationvision.com

Deborah W. Brooks, Co-founder of Michael J. Fox Foundation, to Keynote Licensing Executives Society International Conference

Speech to intellectual property licensing execs will highlight role of research

ALEXANDRIA, VA, April 10, 2008 – Deborah W. Brooks, co-founder of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, will be a keynote speaker at the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) Conference, on Wednesday, May 7, from Noon-1:30 p.m.

The entire conference runs May 4-7, 2008, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers in Chicago, Illinois, and will also serve as the Spring Meeting of the USA & Canada Chapter of the Licensing Executives Society.

Launched in 2000 by Brooks and actor Michael J. Fox, the Foundation targets its resources to speed the translation of basic science discoveries into transformative treatments for Parkinson's disease.

"The greatest medical advances of our time begin with research like this," says LES (USA & Canada) President Thomas A. Picone, Ph.D, of Schering-Plough Corporation. "The intellectual property licensing system provides strong incentives for this type of research, because it has created ways to commercialize products that can help millions of people."

Brooks will speak about the role of research in innovation and the need to develop new treatments and therapies. The Foundation has already funded $115 million in research that will accelerate the delivery of life-changing treatment – and ultimately a cure – to people with Parkinson's disease.

For more information about the conference, visit www.lesi2008.org or contact LESI at 703-836-0026.

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