Here’s a sneak peek at one of the videos that will be featured at the 2009 BIO International Convention next week. Take a look, and then check out our Q&A with the producer below.

UPDATE: Check out this FT.com post, which mentions the video.

We checked in with the Producer and CEO of WHITECOAT Strategies, David Welch, over email today and asked him about the motivation behind the video.

Q: Why did you focus on Neuroblastoma to help explain the critical need for sustained funding of biotech research?

A: Jim Greenwood asked us to produce a short film about the critical need for sustained biotechnology research funding and the importance of maintaining a favorable venture capital environment.   Jim knew that what is at stake here isn’t dollars and cents but real impact on the lives of patients and their families, so we wanted to tell it through their eyes. In doing our research and learning more about Neuroblastoma it just made sense to focus on this terrible disease because without major research breakthroughs, thousands of little boys and girls will not survive.  This is how “Saving Roman” was launched.  Once we started talking to the families the decision was final.  These are very brave people with very courageous children.  As is most of our work in biotechnology — because that is our specialty — it just became a labor of love.

Q: How does it feel to you as a producer of biotech films to work on a project like this?

A: We love to tell the stories of the incredible men and women of biotechnology.  Their work is truly improving the human condition.  So yes, it felt great to not only highlight the need for increased biotech research funding but even greater to bring attention to an orphan disease that doesn’t always get a lot of attention.  I always ask myself the same question: What if it was my child or my wife or my mom?  When you can tell a story about science in an emotional way, it just has more impact.

Q: What steps need to be taken to insure that biotech companies will be able to continue innovating new biologics?

A: Our job is to turn on the camera and let the experts talk.  So, in letting them tell their stories, the film includes interviews with a biotech CEO, a venture capital investor, a biotech patent attorney, and a leading Neuroblastoma researcher at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.  All of them emphasized one overriding theme: In order for many biotech companies to continue doing the research that will lead to amazing therapies and cures, we need increased government funding, strong patent protection laws, and a fully funded FDA, all of which lead to a healthy investment climate.

Q: What are the next steps in treatment for Roman and Trey?

A: Roman continues to undergo full body CT scans, MIBG injections/scans as well as routine lab testing, urinalysis, and CBC counts once every three months to check for signs of returning tumors.  Roman’s doctors have given him a 33% chance of survival.  His fight isn’t over, and his courageous story reminds us how critical it is for the biotech industry to continue working toward new treatments and cures.

Trey is currently participating in a clinical trial where he receives human monoclonal antibodies.  His parents and doctors are hopeful that this treatment will save his life.

Q: How can we learn more about Roman, Trey, and Neuroblastoma?

A: Please visit www.RescueRoman.org to learn more about Roman Fariello and www.TreyLove.org to read updates and view pictures of Trey.  In order to learn more about Neuroblastoma and childhood cancer in general, please visit www.nbhope.org and www.rallyroundthegoldribbon.org.