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BIO Applauds Selection of Francis Collins to Lead NIH

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Wednesday, July 08, 2009) - Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood issued the following statement today praising President Barack Obama’s nomination of Francis S. Collins as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

“BIO and its member companies applaud President Barack Obama for his nomination of Dr. Francis S. Collins as Director of the NIH and urge the Senate to move quickly to confirm him.  

“Dr. Collins brings impeccable credentials and experience to the position.  He is a strong candidate to oversee the primary federal government agency charged with conducting and supporting medical research.A recipient of the Biotechnology Heritage award in 2001, Dr. Collins played a key role in the sequencing of the human genome which has opened up virtually limitless possibilities for science and technology.   

“As Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, he initiated research projects and collaborated with scientists around the world to further increase our knowledge of the human genome and the genetic causes of disease.  

“His vast experience with government agencies combined with his unparalleled scientific expertise make Dr. Collins an outstanding advocate for the NIH.  His experience, expertise and leadership are critical as the Institutes move to conduct the basic research required to meet President Obama’s challenge to defeat cancer in our time and to address the myriad debilitating diseases devastating millions of patients worldwide.

“BIO and its member companies are committed to expanding the boundaries of science by discovering, developing and delivering innovative therapies to patients including the millions of patients around the world who suffer from diseases for which there is no treatment or cure. We look forward to working with Dr. Collins and the dedicated staff of the NIH to attain the President’s visionary goal of finding a cure for cancer ‘within our time.’” 

Upcoming BIO Events

World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing
July 19-22, 2009
Montreal, Quebec, Canada 

BIO Investor Forum
October 28-29, 2009
San Francisco, CA

Advanced Business Development Course
October 30, 2009
Vienna, Austria

BIO Europe International Partnering Conference
November 2-4, 2009
Vienna, Austria

Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy
November 8-11, 2009
Honolulu, HI 

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,200 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 innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

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