Burrill's Appearance Scrubbed at Big Biotech Convention

The keynote appearance this afternoon by California biotech maven Steve Burrill has been cancelled at the BIO convention in San Diego in the wake of allegations of mismanagement and inappropriate diversion of $19 million.

Ron Leuty of the San Francisco Business Times reported in a brief piece late yesterday that the 90-minute talk was scrubbed.

A lawsuit filed last month by Ann Hanham, a former managing director of Burrill & Co., said that $19 million was diverted by Burrill at the firm. The suit also said that Burrill was removed from control of a $283 million venture capital fund.

Alex Lash of Xconomy wrote, 

"A spokeswoman for the San Francisco-based financier told Xconomy that Burrill made the decision Friday and has decided to keep a low profile. Burrill has not made a statement since news of the lawsuit broke last week.

"The spokeswoman said his lawyers should file a response to the lawsuit by the end of July." 

(Editor's note: The information from Alex Lash was added after this item was originally posted.)