A new event presented by Reed Exhibitions, producer of INTERPHEX, International Pharmaceutical Industry Congress and BIOPHEX, in partnership with ISPE, the Society for Life Science Professionals, will provide pharmaceutical manufacturing professionals in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean region with direct access to the most advanced tools and technologies for drug processing and packaging, plus cutting-edge technical education and many networking events. INTERPHEX Puerto Rico, which will take place January 28-30, 2004 at the Caribe Hilton Hotel & Resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the island’s first major pharmaceutical manufacturing event in nearly four years. The new event, which will bring together top buyers from leading Puerto Rican pharmaceutical manufacturers and more than 100 technology vendors, has garnered impressive industry-wide support from professional associations, publications, government agencies and corporate sponsors. Endorsers and supporters include ISPE Puerto Rico; the U.S. Department of Commerce; the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau; the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Corporation (PRIDCO); Pharmaceutical Processing; Chemical Equipment; Powder/Bulk Solids and Pharmaceutical Engineering. Lancer and Getinge/Castle are corporate sponsors.Developed to serve the information and technology needs of a major industry cluster “Puerto Rico has emerged as a powerhouse in pharmaceutical manufacturing,” stated Kevin Richards, Vice President of Reed Exhibitions. “It has all of the hallmarks of a dynamic industry cluster, including robust growth, a skilled work force, plus a high degree of synergy among government, industry, academia and research institutions.” “Sixteen of the twenty best-selling medicines in the U.S. are manufactured in Puerto Rico,” Richards continued, “and pharmaceutical manufacturing accounts for 25% of Puerto Rico’s gross domestic product. To maintain their competitive edge, the island’s 19,000 pharmaceutical manufacturing professionals need a convenient, cost-effective opportunity to learn about the most advanced solutions. And that’s exactly what INTERPHEX Puerto Rico will provide.” Opportunities for product sourcing, technical education and interactionExhibitors at INTERPHEX Puerto Rico will meet face to face with decision makers from such industry leaders as Bristol Myers Squibb, which has six manufacturing facilities on the island; Pfizer, which has three; and Eli Lilly, Baxter Healthcare, Merck, Schering Plough, Ortho and Wyeth, all of which have two facilities in Puerto Rico, plus many others. These companies manufacture a wide range of pharmaceutical products on the island, including antibiotics; steroids; medicinal botanicals; organic chemicals; antihypertensives; tranquilizers; allergy medications; generic pharmaceuticals; injectable medicines; laxatives; personal care products; oral contraceptives; asthma medications; analgesics; arthritis medications and even bulk biopharmaceuticals. Attendees will include corporate, engineering and production management; design, control and chemical engineers; packaging, quality control, validation, compliance and purchasing professionals. At INTERPHEX Puerto Rico, they will have the opportunity to see companies that provide a broad range of equipment and technologies that will help them achieve maximum productivity, including process equipment, analytical instruments, control systems, cleanroom equipment and supplies, packaging equipment, validation, contract services and more. Educational and networking opportunities will abound at INTERPHEX Puerto Rico. For those who wish to enhance their on-the-job effectiveness, ISPE will present a three-day program of technical sessions focused on processing, manufacturing and packaging-related issues. “In keeping with its commitment to the ongoing professional education of its members, ISPE provides a variety of seminars, conferences and training courses around the world,” stated Jerry Roth, ISPE Vice President, Education. “INTERPHEX Puerto Rico will provide the island’s many pharmaceutical industry professionals with the opportunity to fulfill their training and educational needs in an event that is tailored to their specific needs and interests.” A variety of exciting and informative special events, including an opening reception, networking breakfasts and luncheons, a golf outing and fishing tour are also planned. Reed Exhibitions is the world’s largest organizer of business-to-business events. Each year Reed events assemble about 156,000 suppliers and over a million buyers from around the world, facilitating billions of dollars in business. Reed events are held in 35 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, and are organized by 30 fully staffed offices. Reed’s portfolio of events serve 49 industries in 12 key sectors. A member of the Reed Elsevier plc group, a world-leading business and information provider, Reed offers integrated market access programs covering exhibitions, trade publications, direct marketing and the Internet over a database of more than 9 million. (NYSE: RUK/ENL)