Member Services

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

Advocacy

BIO represents the needs of its members by helping legislators and regulators stay focused on the tremendous value that biotech brings to human health, food & agriculture, industry and the  environment, and by fighting for legislation and regulations that keep the R&D cycle moving products to  the marketplace. In addition, BIO provides aggressive advocacy in Congress, the Administration and statehouses across the country.

• Federal Issues (legislative and/or regulatory). During the 110th session of Congress, BIO’s team of government relations professionals is leading—or actively involved with—issues that directly affect member companies, including:
  • Drug Safety
  • Follow-on Biologics
  • Agricultural Regulations
  • Sarbanes-Oxley Reform
  • Pandemic & Biodefense Preparedness
  • PDUFA IV
  • Reimbursement (Medicare and Medicaid)
  • Access to SBIR Grants
  • Bioethics Issues
  • Bioenergy Policy
•  State Issues. Working through 42 state biotechnology associations, BIO’s state government affairs group coordinates and/or directly lobbies on many of the same issues being addressed at the federal level. BIO is active on state prescription drug and agricultural issues, as well as economic development.
• Legal/Regulatory Compliance. Biotech executives have many legal and regulatory concerns that affect all aspects of their business—FDA, SEC, USDA and EPA. BIO also is working to decrease the regulatory burden on member companies. Currently, BIO is interested particularly in Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and best practices.
• Intellectual Property Protection. BIO has long recognized that a biotech company’s first and most valuable asset is its intellectual property. Through work with PTO and respective Congressional committees, BIO works to protect its member companies’ intellectual property.
• BIO Committees. BIO hosts nearly 20 committees—made up of representatives from member companies—that address the issues facing the biotechnology industry. From legislative issues to business development and patent protection, BIO has a forum to delve deeply into virtually every matter that affects the industry. Only BIO members are permitted to participate in these committees. Decisions and recommendations made by the committees influence the direction of the industry and the organization.

Direct Financial Savings

Significant discounts are available to BIO members on services, supplies and BIO meeting registration.

• The Business Solutions Group Purchasing Program. BIO partners with industry suppliers to provide BIO members discounts and special benefits on products and services such as insurance and lab supplies. For example, members can save up to 75% off the catalog price on lab and office supplies. Participating providers include Chubb, VWR International, Office Depot and BusinessWire. BIO leverages the combined purchasing power of its members to negotiate pricing that most companies cannot get on their own.
• Meeting Registration. When signing up to attend BIO meetings, representatives from BIO member organizations save up to 45%. At the BIO International Convention alone, members save $500. If one person attends, or presents at just three BIO meetings per year, member savings total over $2,000.
• Exhibits. The BIO International Convention offers exhibit opportunities to companies. Member organizations save $400 or more in exhibit charges and receive a complimentary full registration, a $1,995 value.
• Advertising. Members enjoy significant discounts on advertising with BIO’s website or in BIO’s numerous publications, such as BIO News and the BIO Membership Directory.

Business Development

BIO creates opportunities to illustrate the value of biotechnology to the financial and business communities by sponsoring investor conferences. Through extensive partnering meetings and programs, BIO also brings together business development and R&D professionals to facilitate business among its members. Following is a short summary of the business development services that BIO provides: