Burrill executive cited among 25 people worth knowing in bioenergy

SAN FRANCISCO – Burrill & Company is pleased to announce that the publication Biofuels Digest* has cited Dr. John Hamer among the 25 people worth knowing in an article profiling speakers who will be presenting at the Advanced Biofuels Markets conference, November 9-10, 2010 in San Francisco.

The Editor of Biofuels Digest, Jim Lane writes,”In the three years that the Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference (and its predecessor) have been conducted on the East Coast, we’ve always had John on the program. In addition to being one of the most astute VC in the field, he’s one of the ex-Purdue and ex-Dupont cohort that I sometimes think run this industry. Before becoming a VC at Burrill, he was a long-time Purdue professor in microbiology, a company founder, and an ex-CEO. That’s as rounded an experience as one comes by.”

“I am delighted that Dr. Hamer has been recognized by Biofuels Digest,” said G. Steven Burrill, CEO, Burrill & Company, a San Francisco based global leader in life sciences with activities in private equity, venture capital, merchant banking and media. “He is an integral part of our Venture Capital team, which has made significant investments in the bioenergy sector. Burrill & Company is proud to be known as one of the investment leaders in this world critical industry.

“We have been investing in ag- and industrial biotechnology for over a decade now and are continuing to build upon our expertise as we see tremendous ongoing investment opportunities in the biogreentech sector,” Burrill added.

Dr. Hamer joined Burrill & Company in November 2003 as Entrepreneur-In-Residence and became a Managing Director in 2006. Prior to joining Burrill & Company, Dr. Hamer helped to build Paradigm Genetics/Icoria (acquired by Clinical Data, CLDA: NASDAQ) from its beginning in 1998, serving in various capacities as Director of Microbial Research, Vice President of Research, Chief Scientific Officer, Vice President for Business Development, and Interim President and CEO. He received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of California, Davis in 1987 and was a visiting scientist at Dupont’s Central Research and Development from 1987 to 1989. He served on the faculty of Purdue University where he held the positions of Assistant Professor (‘89-’90), Associate Professor (‘92-’98), Professor (‘98-’00), and Adjunct Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Indiana University/Purdue University Medical School. He currently holds an honorary position as Adjunct Professor of Biological Sciences.

In addition, Dr. Hamer has been a regular presenter at the Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference and will be a panelist on a session entitled “Financing Advanced Biofuels: Strategies, Players and Structures” at the upcoming Advanced Biofuels Markets conference.
* http://biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2010/09/09/25-people-worth-knowing-in-bioenergy/

About Burrill & Company
Founded in 1994, Burrill & Company is a San Francisco-based global leader in life sciences with activities in Venture Capital, Private Equity, Merchant Banking and Media. The Burrill family of venture capital funds has over $1 billion under management and its merchant banking business is one of the industry leaders assisting life science companies to identify, negotiate and close strategic transactions. Burrill is also the creator, sponsor and facilitator of leading industry conferences worldwide and publisher of a range of bio-intelligence reports including the monthly Burrill Report (www.burrillreport.com) and annual “State of the Industry” report, the latest of which is entitled Biotech 2010-Life Sciences: Adapting for Success.

Contact: Peter Winter, Managing Director, Editorial, Burrill & Company & Editor, Burrill Report (pwinter@b-c.com) Tel: 415-591-5474