Baker & Daniels' Angella Castille on Life Science Trade Mission in Germany

Angella Castille, vice chair of Baker & Daniels' international law practice, is giving a presentation at this week's Life Science and Medical Technology Seminar being hosted by an Indiana delegation on a trade mission in Germany. As one of a series of presentations by Hoosier representatives, Castille is talking on "Navigating U.S. Law — Contracting, Licensing & Product Liability" in München, Germany.

Representatives from several Indiana economic development and workforce development groups are spending this week in Germany where the MEDICA 2010 World Forum for Medicine — one of the world's largest medical technology expositions — is underway. Castille is part of the delegation educating European biotech firms about Indiana's thriving life sciences industry. The Indiana group has planned seminars, numerous one-on-one meetings with biotech leaders and other events around MEDICA when the continent's attention is focused on life sciences.

Groups participating in the trade mission include the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), Indiana Health Industry Forum (IHIF), Indy Partnership, Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership (NEIRP) and Baker & Daniels.

"It would be hard to ignore the advantages of locating a life sciences operation in Indiana after learning about the growth, success and biotech friendly environment of our state — particularly for executives who have expressed an interest in U.S. investment," Castille said in a news release issued by the Indy Partnership. "Baker & Daniels' international practice counsels numerous European life sciences companies, and we are eager to help make the connections that could lead to higher foreign direct investment in Indiana."

Later this week, the Hoosier delegation will host a Business Breakfast Discussion: "Life Science — Medical Technology Opportunities in the State of Indiana" in Düsseldorf, Germany. Individuals also have meetings scheduled with prospective employers interested in U.S. investment.

Indiana has been one of the nation's top beneficiaries of foreign direct investment (FDI), according to the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. As of 2007, 144,000 Hoosiers worked at firms in which a foreign investor or company had at least a 50 percent stake. Data are not yet available for FDI-related employment trends during the recession, but the number of FDI announcements in Indiana since 2009 suggests that foreign companies continue to find Indiana an attractive destination for investment.