ORLANDO, Fla.–(Business Wire)–
In November, BioFlorida will host its 12th Annual Conference in Orlando – home
of Lake Nona`s medical city. As the state`s largest gathering of life science
professionals, the conference will showcase the increasingly active health and
life sciences community in Orlando and discuss the challenges and opportunities
facing the industry across the state. This year`s theme, “Convergence: Creating
BioSynergy,” is expected to attract more than 400 business and scientific
leaders from across the state, ready to explore Florida`s life science
technologies and biosynergy.

The new east coast campus of the Burnham Institute for Medical Research at Lake
Nona, which celebrated its official grand opening October 8th, will host the
annual conference`s Welcome Reception on November 4th. Conference attendees will
be among the first to tour the beautiful three-story research institution that
is home to a $12-million robotic Ultra High Throughput Chemical Screening
System. Burnham is one of only four NIH comprehensive centers for chemical
biology and drug discovery in the nation and will ultimately staff more than 300
scientists. Already, the Orlando facility attracts almost $40 million in NIH
funding.

In addition to an exclusive look at the research facility`s newest location,
conference attendees will also have an opportunity to explore Lake Nona`s
600-acre health and life sciences campus, known as medical city, where it was
also recently announced that the University of Florida would build a new
research facility. The UF Academic and Research Center at Lake Nona will house
three major activities relating to the mission of the University: A unique
Comprehensive Drug Development Center; the UF College of Pharmacy doctoral
program in Pharmacy; and biomedical research laboratories.

This month, Florida`s newest biotech cluster, Orlando`s medical city at Lake
Nona, is featured on the cover of Florida Trend magazine, Florida`s only
statewide business publication. The eight-page story written by award-winning
editor Mark Howard cites Lake Nona`s medical city as “a game-changer in the
state`s biotech future” and highlights Lake Nona`s leadership for their ongoing
collaborative efforts to “change Florida`s DNA.”

Private investment company Tavistock Group, Lake Nona`s parent company, is
creating a unique scientific and medical core at Lake Nona that is quickly
becoming the center of biomedical research in Central Florida with preeminent
organizations including Burnham Institute for Medical Research, UCF`s College of
Medicine, Nemours Children`s Hospital, M. D. Anderson – Orlando’s Cancer
Research Institute, University of Florida Research and Academic Center, and
Orlando VA Medical Center all locating within the 600-acre site.

BioFlorida`s 12th Annual Conference will take place at the JW Marriott Orlando
Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla., November 4-6, 2009. For additional information on
the program or sponsorship, please visit http://BioFlorida.com or call
561.653.3839.

ABOUT BIOFLORIDA

BioFlorida is Florida`s statewide trade association for the bioscience industry
providing advocacy, business development and communications services for more
than 200 member companies. Our mission is to be the voice of the bioscience
industry and the advocate for our member organizations. Bringing knowledge and
resources to Florida`s bioscience community, BioFlorida supports the health,
agricultural and energy sectors of biotechnology as well as the pharmaceutical
and medical technology fields.

ABOUT LAKE NONA

Lake Nona is a 7,000-acre master planned community within the city limits of
Orlando that will be home to world-class education, medical and recreational
facilities, a medical city, diverse workspaces, retail centers, entertainment
choices and residential options for all types of people seeking the best the
city has to offer with all the conveniences of living within a dynamic, vibrant
community. Lake Nona is being developed by Lake Nona Property Holdings, owned by
Tavistock Group, a private investment company with a broad portfolio of assets
around the world.

For more information on Lake Nona, visit www.learnlakenona.com.

ABOUT TAVISTOCK GROUP

Tavistock Group is a private investment company founded by Joe Lewis. The Group
has grown to encompass a broad portfolio of investments around the world in the
following sectors: life sciences, sports teams (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club)
and sporting events (Tavistock Cup, Isleworth Collegiate Invitational),
manufacturing and distribution (Puma, Gottex, Vans), oil and gas, financial
services, restaurants (Freebirds World Burrito, Napa Valley Grille. Zed451),
private luxury residential properties and master-planned real estate
developments.

Private club communities include Isleworth and Lake Nona Golf & Country Club
both located in Orlando, Florida. Lake Nona forms a cornerstone holding to the
Group`s current innovative, 7,000-acre mixed-use development plan highlighted by
a life sciences cluster becoming known as Lake Nona`s medical city.

Tavistock Group, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els have partnered to develop Albany, a
luxury resort community on the island of New Providence in The Bahamas. Albany
will feature a broad array of amenities for all members of the family, including
a luxury boutique hotel, an Ernie Els-designed 18-hole championship golf course
and a mega-yacht marina flanked by luxury residences designed by some of the
most respected architects in the world.

Tavistock Group also announced its partnership with the Jamaican Government`s
Harmonization Ltd. to jointly plan and develop 2,350 oceanfront acres on the
country`s northern coast in Trelawny Parish. The development is designed to
reclaim the age of luxury in Jamaica and will include several hotels, a gaming
lounge, golf courses, retail shops and restaurants, making it the definitive
premier resort destination in the Caribbean.

For more information on Tavistock Group, visit www.tavistock.com.

BioFlorida
Stacey Silver, 561-653-3839
BioFlorida.com
or
Consensus PR
Jessi Blakley, APR, 407-608-5905
Media.LakeNona.com
or
Metro Orlando EDC
Jen Wakefield, APR, 407-422-7159
OrlandoEDC.com