Representative Altmire Honored as BIO Legislator of the Year

• Contact: Contact George Goodno
  202-962-6660,

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Wednesday, April 15, 2008) - The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Congressman Jason Altmire (D-PA) as Legislator of the Year for 2007-2008. Representative Altmire will receive the award during the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In on April 16, 2008.

“BIO commends Representative Altmire for his leadership in the New Democrat Health Care Task Force and his consistent support of our industry,” said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. “His influence within the House Small Business Committee and championship of the Small Business Investment Expansion Act will allow small biotechnology and medical device companies to secure critical financial resources for research and innovation.”

“Congressman Altmire is a determined advocate for advancing biotechnology innovation within the commonwealth," said Pennsylvania Bio President Dennis M. "Mickey" Flynn. “He is committed to providing the tools for our growing companies to succeed and compete and has been a leader of economic development, job creation and continued innovation.”

 During the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In, more than 200 biotechnology industry representatives from 36 states, including Pennsylvania, will participate in hundreds of meetings with key Members of the House and Senate. Participants will discuss issues critical to the biotechnology industry, including follow-on biologics, FDA appropriations, biofuels, and patent reform.

The awards ceremony will take place at 12:15 p.m. during a luncheon at the Reserve Officers Association in Washington, D.C.

Upcoming BIO Events

 ·   BIO National Venture Conference 
    April 22-23, 2008
    Boston, Mass.

 ·   World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing  
    April 27-30, 2008
    Chicago, Ill.

 ·   2008 BIO International Convention 
    June 17-20, 2008
    San Diego, Calif.

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 ·  Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy
    Sept. 10-12, 2008
    Vancouver, B.C., Canada

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 annual 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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