Feb 17 2009
A nanotechnology book with two chapters by Ralph F. Hall of Baker + Daniels LLP will be released Feb. 18-19 at the second annual Conference of Nanotechnology Law, Regulation and Policy in Washington, D.C. Hall also is co-chair of the event presented by the Food and Drug Law Institute.
"Nanotechnology is a key new technology with great promise in the life sciences and an important economic development opportunity," Hall said. "It holds the potential of new treatments for cancer and other debilitating diseases. Appropriate regulation is necessary to ensure that products are safe without destroying the potential benefits to patients.
"This conference brings together FDA and other government regulators, scientists, public interest groups and industry in an effort to identify challenges and solutions to maximize patient benefit," Hall added. The name of the newest book on nanotechnology is Nanotechnology and FDA - Regulated Products: The Essential Guide, published by the Food and Drug Law Institute.
Hall, who serves as counsel at Baker & Daniels, is a leader in the firm's nanotechnology practice. He is a member of the working group of a consortium studying regulatory oversight models for nanotechnology in life sciences, environment, FDA, workplace exposure, agriculture and other areas pursuant to a National Science Foundation Grant. Hall, who once served in legal roles with Guidant and Eli Lilly and Company, also is a distinguished visiting practitioner and professor at the University of Minnesota Law School and a visiting professor at the Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis.
At the conference, Hall, who is co-chair for the second year, will moderate two sessions — the "Business of Nanotechnology" and the "FDA." James T. O'Reilly, also counsel with Baker & Daniels, will moderate the "Beyond FDA" session. O'Reilly, former principle environmental policy counsel for Procter & Gamble, also is a volunteer professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.