Seattle-Washington Policy Center will honor biotechnology leader Edward Fritzky at its 2003 Annual Dinner tomorrow night, November 13th at 7:30pm at the Westin Hotel in Seattle.

Mr. Fritzky has been involved in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry since 1973. His experience and management skills helped to lead several biotechnology companies to success. Most notably, Mr. Fritzky served as President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Immunex Corporation. During his tenure, Immunex grew to become the third largest biotechnology company in the world. Mr. Fritzky led Immunex's effort to merge with Amgen, completing the largest merger in the history of the industry.

"Mr. Fritzky is being honored for his tireless defense of free market principles for pharmaceutical and biological research," said Washington Policy Center president Daniel Mead Smith. "He has helped produce the most successful research and development model the world has ever known."

Currently, Mr. Fritzky serves on the Board of Directors for SonoSite Corporation and Geron Corporation. He also serves as a Trustee of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the United Way, the Pacific Science Center, the Medical Affairs Council of the University of Washington, and is a member of the governor's Competitiveness Council and the Seattle mayor's Economic Development Council. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Biotechnology Industry Organization.

Mr. Fritzky will receive the 2003 Stanley O. McNaughton award for his leadership in the medical and biotechnology fields. Last year's award winner was King County Sheriff Dave Reichert. This year's dinner will also honor Senior Presidential Advisor Karen Hughes.