OKLAHOMA CITY -- For some health researchers in Oklahoma, a partnership with a national pharmaceutical company can be an attractive way to sell a new drug or device.

National experts will provide insight and advice about the recipe for successful partnerships with investors and pharmaceutical companies at a workshop 1-5 p.m. Nov. 17 at Presbyterian Health Foundation Conference Center.

Speakers include:

· John Wetherell, Ph.D., with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is one of the top bioscience intellectual property attorneys in the nation. He will offer insights on how researchers and early stage companies can make their intellectual property more attractive to pharmaceutical companies.

· John "Wick" Johnson, Ph.D., is senior director of metabolic and endocrine diseases and is in charge of worldwide business development at Pfizer.

· Gerry Martin is a 30-year veteran of Abbott Laboratories and has extensive in-licensing experience. He is an active angel investor and serves on biotech company boards.

· Thomas Shoaf, M.D., with Stifel Private Markets is actively engaged in helping Oklahoma biotech companies attract funding.

The event is part of the ACCELERATE workshop series developed by the Oklahoma Bioscience Association (OKBio) to help Oklahoma-based bioscience companies accelerate their success in the marketplace.

The workshop will highlight how to build and maintain successful partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, how to attract investors and how intellectual property strategies can interest partners.

The workshop is open to the public, will conclude with a question-and-answer period and will be held at the Presbyterian Health Foundation Conference Center, 655 Research Parkway, Suite 100 in Oklahoma City. A 5-6:30 p.m. networking reception will follow the workshop.

Registration fees for the workshop and networking reception range from $10-$60. For more information or to register, visit www.OKBio.org.

Sponsors of the workshop include: i2E, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, Presbyterian Health Foundation and PhRMA. The sponsors of the networking reception include: Bank 2, Charlesson and Cytovance Biologics.