Newport, Rhode Island, June 11, 2009 - In 2004, The Convergence Forum was created as an annual three-day event "by life sciences leaders, for life sciences leaders". The mission was to bring together a select group of industry executives, primarily CEOs, investors and academics to both network and vigorously discuss a wide range of topics affecting the Northeast, undeniably one of the world's major hubs for biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, devices, instruments and diagnostics, not to mention investing and academic research.

Convergence, which has been held on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and in Newport, Rhode Island, has featured topics such as forging strong corporate partnerships; attracting funding from private and public sources; building successful research organizations; streamlining product development and approval; understanding the coming convergence of biology, software, and medical devices; and staying ahead of regulatory changes. Speakers through the years have included Genzyme CEO Henri Termeer; Beth Israel Deaconness CEO Paul Levy; Richard Pops , Chairman, Alkermes; Deborah Dunsire, MD , CEO, Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Ansbert Gadicke , MD, Founding General Partner, MPM Capital Management and Dean Kamen , President, DEKA Research.

Because of the quality and intimacy of this unrivaled event, J. Robert Scott is proud to have been a sponsor of the Convergence Forum since 2004 when it began.