Committee and Section Activity

Intellectual Property Counsels Committee
Promotes strong, predictable intellectual property (IP) protection and efficient transfer of IP rights for the biotechnology industry domestically and internationally. This committee is open to in-house and outside patent counsels of BIO member companies. The committee is responsible for developing domestic and international intellectual property policy that benefits the biotechnology industry. The committee reviews and comments on proposed intellectual property legislation and IP-related regulations from federal agencies. The committee will from time to time approve the filing of amicus briefs in cases that impact the biotechnology industry and develop IP-related position papers, white papers and educational materials.
Staff Contact: Hans Sauer
Chair: Kenneth Dow, Johnson and Johnson
Eligibility Requirements: 2
 

Subcommittees: Amicus Subcommittee<Staff Contact: Hans Sauer
Eligibility Requirements: 4

International IP Working Group
Staff Contact: Lila Feisee
Eligibility Requirements: 2

PTO Working Group
Staff Contact: Lila Feisee
Eligibility Requirements: 2
 

International Advocacy Working Group
Guides BIO efforts to pursue the international advocacy work plan objectives set forth by the Board Standing Committee on International Affairs.
Staff Contact: Sean Darragh
Chair: Joe Damond, Pfizer
Eligibility Requirements: 1

International Health Policy Working Group
Addresses international issues related to health policy, specifically, but not limited to, follow-on biologics, regulatory harmonization standards, and comparative effectiveness.
Staff Contact: Kelly Lai
Eligibility Requirements: 1

Alliance Development Committee
The Alliance Development Committee exists to build ties with third-party stakeholders in the patient and medical communities in order to create strong, long-term relationships that create opportunities for these groups and industry to collaborate and assist each other in policy development, advocacy, public awareness and research and product development.
Staff Contact: Tricia Brooks
Chair: Patrick Plues, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
Eligibility Requirements: 3

Regulatory Affairs Committee
Addresses regulatory and scientific issues, including FDA regulatory reform initiatives and implementation of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA). Through its technical expert groups, the Committee seeks to ensure a transparent, science-based regulatory environment for healthcare biotechnology innovations.
Staff Contact: Andrew Emmett
Chair: Tricia DeSantis, J&J
Chair-Elect: Ginny Beakes-Read, Eisai
Secretary: Carolyn Jones, Biogen Idec
Eligibility Requirements: 2

Research Tools & Molecular Diagnostics (RTMD) Working Group
Addresses issues affecting the development and application of research tools and molecular diagnostics, including intellectual property, regulatory oversight, reimbursement, and federally-funded research programs at the National Institutes of Health and other entities. The RTMD Working Group also monitors and responds to policy proposals and initiatives to advance personalized medicine.
Staff Contact: Daryl Pritchard
Eligibility Requirements: 1

Security Committee
Shares information relating to security threats and best practices among security officers of BIO member companies. When appropriate, the committee also oversees and monitors security activities relating to BIO events.
Staff Contact: Peter McHugh
Chair: Russ Bouchard, Biogen Idec
Eligibility Requirements: 2

State Government Relations Committee - Health
Deals with state legislative and regulatory healthcare issues and is comprised of BIO members and state affiliate organizations with an interest in state government health-related issues. The committee meets on a monthly basis and receives a weekly BIO State Update detailing healthcare and prescription drug-related activities and news at the state level.
Staff Contact: India Valentine
Chair: Ray Frost, Eisai
Eligibility Requirements: 2