Cal State San Marcos Extended Studies Hosts Biofocus" Biotechnology Briefing on Oct. 2

-One-day overview session for non-scientist support staff and outside vendors will explain the intricacies of North County's (San Diego) fastest growing industry-

SAN MARCOS, CA (PRWEB) September 22, 2004 -- Cal State San Marcos Extended Studies, a leading provider of professional and continuing education in North San Diego County, announced today it will be offering a one-day biotechnology briefing called Biofocus" to better prepare the non-scientific staff and vendors who support this growing industry. Sponsored in conjunction with BIOCOM and BioTech Primer, Inc., Biofocus will take place on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Cal State San Marcos campus. The program will include an overview of the biotechnology industry, drug discovery and development process, basic DNA structure and function, key biotech applications and technologies and the future prospects for the biotechnology industry.

According to the Milken Institute, a Santa Monica-based think tank, San Diego County boasts the largest cluster of biotechnology companies in the country, based on measures that include research and development funding, venture capital and its skilled workforce. Of the 178 biotech and life science companies Milken listed in the county in 2002, 21 were in Carlsbad. More telling, 55,600 jobs or 5 percent of San Diegos total employment were associated with life sciences companies.

The Biofocus event will provide valuable insights for business developers, corporate communicators, account managers, administrative assistants, consultants, journalists, training managers and anyone else working with San Diegos biotechnology companies," said Interim Dean of Extended Studies, Jan Jackson. This promises to be an engaging, fun and hands-on way for non-scientists to understand the work that these highly technical companies do." She added that the program will be led by Cathleen Davies, president of BioTech Primer, Inc., which has offices in Carlsbad and Baltimore, Maryland.

The program fee, which includes breakfast, lunch and materials, is $545 for the general public and $436 (a 20 percent savings) for BIOCOM members. Teams of three or more from the same company will receive a 10 percent savings. For program details or registration information, interested participants are encouraged to contact the Office of Extended Studies at (760) 750-4020 or visit the Extended Studies web site at www.csusm-es.org.

About Extended Studies
As the academic outreach arm of Cal State San Marcos, Extended Studies is a leading provider of professional and continuing education in the San Diego North County region. Offering more than 150 classes, including academic credit and noncredit professional enrichment courses and career-based certificate programs, Extended Studies helps individuals and organizations achieve their educational and training goals.
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