DSM and Healthcare Businesswomen's Association Drive Discussion on Future Business Models in Healthcare

PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- DSM and the Metro Chapter of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) will host an expert panel examining the global and domestic market forces shaping the healthcare landscape and the collaborations that are accelerating the pace of health care innovation and development.  

The event, to be held on May 21, 2013, brings global industry leaders in biopharmaceuticals and consulting to present their business models for the future and solicit non-governmental organization opinion on addressing the world's most pressing healthcare issues via public-private partnerships.  The event is part of an educational series offered by the HBA to offer women executives an opportunity to participate in thought leadership briefings, industry strategy discussions and networking. "We welcome the opportunity to host this HBA event, and further not only the discussion among global healthcare thought leaders, but also to provide a forum for women executives to network and support one another in the advancement of their careers and professional development," stated Hugh Welsh, President DSM North America.

"As healthcare costs continue to soar, it is imperative that we develop a more efficient and cost-effective model of healthcare delivery, and products that cure or prevent disease rather than merely treat ailments. Over the past decade, R&D productivity is declining, costs are rising while scientific output has stayed broadly flat," Alexander Wessels, President and CEO of DSM Pharmaceutical Products commented.  "In the wake of health reform, we are at a crucial moment in healthcare, and DSM is excited to host the brightest in biopharma in a call for increased partnership and knowledge-sharing."

The event will be held at the DSM North America headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey.  Panel speakers include Jo Pisani, Partner, Pharmaceuticals & Lifesciences Strategy, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; Barbara Bush, CEO and Co-Founder, Global Health Corps; Paul Antinori, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, The Medicines Company; Lara Fontaine, Vice President, Worldwide R&D Strategy & Portfolio Solutions, Pfizer; Pam Bolton, Vice President, Membership and Advisory Services, GBCHealth; and Pamela R. Demain, Executive Director, Corporate Licensing, Merck. "At HBA, we believe it's critical to initiate discussion and increase connectivity between private and public players," said Kathleen Fitzpatrick, HBA Metro Chapter President.  "Creative collaborations now take place in ways that would have been unthinkable a few years ago—and it's these partnerships that will be the catalyst to increased market efficiencies and a higher quality of patient care."

More information and registration can be found on the HBA Metro Chapter Website.  Follow the event live on Twitter via @HBAnet_metro.

DSM – Bright Science. Brighter Living.™
Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM's 25,000 employees deliver annual net sales of around USD $13 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsm.com

Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA)
The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) is in its fourth decade as a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to furthering the advancement of women in healthcare worldwide. With 15 chapters throughout the US and in Europe, the HBA is headquartered in New Jersey with offices in Philadelphia and Research Triangle Park. The HBA provides educational opportunities for women and men to develop cutting-edge healthcare industry knowledge and leadership skills; recognizes outstanding women and men in the industry; provides opportunities for networking; creates greater visibility for women in the industry; fosters mentoring relationships and serves as a conduit and sponsor for research on career advancement issues. The HBA has over 6,000 individual members and over 130 Corporate Partners. It is widely recognized as the catalyst for leadership development of women in healthcare worldwide and was named by Leadership Excellence as having one of the top leadership development programs in North America for the last four years. More information can be found at: www.HBAnet.org.

HBA Metro Chapter
The HBA Metro Chapter is the founding and largest chapter of the HBA in the heart of the east coast's life sciences corridor, serving members in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The HBA Metro Chapter provides a wide variety of leadership development offerings, including Affinity/Special Interest Programs, CONNECTIONS Networking Events, evening Keynote Programs, virtual programs, an annual group mentoring program and special offerings for executive and senior-level women via the chapter's Executive Women's Outreach initiative. A host of volunteer opportunities are available for members who seek to support the chapter and enrich their HBA experience. More information can be found at:  www.HBAnet.org/chapter/metro.

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Forward-looking statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to DSM's future (financial) performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of DSM and information currently available to the company. DSM cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. DSM has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. The English language version of the press release is leading.

SOURCE DSM