SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Sept. 14 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Robert P. “Skip” Cummins, chairman and CEO of Cyberonics Inc., will keynote the 2006 Neurotech Leaders Forum, to be held September 28-29, 2006 at the Crowne Plaza San Francisco International Airport. The free-speaking neurotechnology industry pioneer will share some of his experiences dealing with regulatory, technical, and marketing issues during his tenure at Cyberonics.

2006 Neurotech Leaders ForumSeveral other neurotechnology leaders will contribute during the conference, including Philip Kennedy M.D., Ph.D. of Neural Signals, the first to implant a brain-computer interface in a paralyzed and locked-in human patient, and Ted Berger, Ph.D., from University of Southern California, a pioneer in the development of neural-silicon hybrid chips that combine VLSI and neuronal processing.

Day one will feature short courses on technology, market, and funding issues related to the industry. Neurotech Business Report senior technical editor Warren Grill from Duke University will offer his course, Basics of Neurotechnology, followed by a session on obtaining venture capital financing, led by senior financial editor Glenn Cornett. Neurotech Business Report editor James Cavuoto will wrap up the day with a session on neurotechnology market fundamentals.

Day two will feature a series of panel discussions on topics related to the industry. After the keynote address, a session entitled the M&A Climate for Neurotechnology will examine the current competitive outlook and opportunities for new M&A activity. Executives from Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, Boston Scientific, and other firms will speak on this panel.

In addition a special session titled, “The Clinician’s Perspective” on Sept. 29 will examine the role that medical specialists play in the design, development, and approval of neurotech devices. Panelists include James Campbell, M.D., a neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Michael Keith, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Metro Health Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. An afternoon entrepreneur panel will feature presentations from CEOs of several promising neurotech startups, and the day will wrap up with a panel devoted to observations and recommendations from the venture capital community.

Neurotech Reports editors will announce the winners of the 2006 Gold Electrode Awards during a luncheon ceremony on Sept. 29. Award recipients will be recognized within the following categories: Best New Product, Most Promising Start-Up Firm, and Neurotechnology Researcher of the Year.

More information on the Neurotech Leaders Forum:
www.neurotechreports.com/pages/leadersforum.html.

For more information on attending Neurotech Leaders Forum, please contact CoActive Public Relations, info@coactivepr.com 415-621-6626.

Neurotech Reports. 461 Second St. #124 – San Francisco, CA 94107 – 415 546 1259 415 358 4264 fax – www.neurotechreports.com.

News issued by: Neurotech Reports

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Original Story ID: (1993) :: 2006-09-0914-004

Original Keywords: Neurotech Reports, Neurotech Leaders Forum in San Francisco, The Clinician’s Perspective, Robert P. Cummins, Philip Kennedy M.D., Ph.D. of Neural Signals, Ted Berger, Ph.D., financial editor Glenn Cornett. Neurotech Business Report editor James Cavuoto, Basics of Neurotechnology, Neurotech Business Report, CoActive Public Relations Neurotech Reports

News Source: Neurotech Reports