At its members' meeting on April 13 in Research Triangle Park, N.C., the Association of Biotechnology Companies (ABC) voted unanimously to merge with the Industrial Biotechnology Association (IBA), forming a new group called the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). The merger becomes official July 1. IBA members had also unanimously endorsed the merger at their meeting in February (Notebook, The Scientist, March 8, 1993, page 4). "I expected a strong vote, but I never expected unanimity," says BIO president Carl Feldbaum. "This gives us enormous momentum in getting the merger done and moving forward as one unified organization." Though the two groups had held opposing positions on several matters (Barbara Spector, The Scientist, Feb. 22, 1993, page 1), Feldbaum says, "We've resolved 99 percent of the issues that had divided the two organizations."
Another topic near and dear to the hearts of ABC constituents-- financing--was addressed at the meeting as participants ...
