More than 100 biotechnology investors are expected to meet at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center Sept. 19 to hear Hopkins experts describe advances in cancer biology and explore new technology licensing opportunities. The conference, the first of its kind hosted by the Cancer Center, is intended to heighten commercial investment interest in its portfolio of emerging cancer treatments.

"Developing new diagnostics and treatments in the laboratory is one thing and we do it in spades, but to get them to patients, science-based institutions need the financial backing and expertise of biotech industry affiliations," says Stephen Baylin, M.D., director of research at Hopkins' Kimmel Cancer Center. The Center ranks third in the nation in research grants from the National Cancer Institute, earning $86.9 million in 2006.

Stem cell researcher Curt Civin, M.D., is co-chair of the conference, called "Johns Hopkins Biotech 2007: Investing in Cancer Research." Civin has firsthand experience in commercializing cancer-related technology. His novel stem-cell sorting technology which purifies bone marrow stem cells as transplants for cancer patients won…