Public Policy

You might have heard that the Prince of Wales, just days after hosting the Royal Wedding, paid us a visit here in Washington.  Prince Charles, a long-time organic food advocate and self-described environmentalist, was here to speak at a Washington Post symposium on the Future of Food.

The world’s largest biotech hubs are busy planning their delegations’ visits to the  BIO International Convention  next month. The international program at the Convention will be one of the most robust to date, with International Case Studies, breakout sessions focused on globalization and Super Sessions focused on the emerging markets.

VABIO's Mark Herzog discusses biotech in Virginia and the upcoming BIO International Convention in Washington, DC.

BIO will be co-hosting an event with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the issuance of U.S. patent 4,259,444 to Ananda Chakrabarty following the Supreme Court case, Diamond v. Chakrabarty, which held that Chakrabarty’s bioengineered bacterium was eligible for patenting.

Mark Herzog, executive director of the Virginia Biotechnology Association recently discussed the success and challenges facing the burgeoning bioscience industry in his state.

Recently the Oklahoma Bioscience Association held a 2011 BIO International Convention information session for their delegates to get ready for the June event.

The Agriculture Department has announced additional money for loan guarantees to support construction of new advanced biofuel biorefineries.