As the Biden administration approaches the end of its first 100 days, we spoke to several BIO experts about what’s been accomplished and what to expect next ahead of President Biden’s first joint address to Congress.
In January, BIO released 100 Days of Innovation, which outlined six priorities for the first 100 days of the year. Here's where things stand:
Priority #1: Ensure a speedy transition and an expedited Senate confirmation process for agency leadership critical to advancing public health, nutrition, and environmental goals.
Several nominees related to the biotechnology sector are in place at USDA, HHS, EPA, and USTR.
However, Mike Mattoon, BIO’s VP for Federal Government Relations, reminded us that a few key nominees are still going through the nomination process. The administration has not yet named a nominee for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner, which is critical at this point. In addition, there has not been movement on the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at HHS. President Biden stated his intention to nominate Dawn O'Connell to the position over a month ago; the position is vitally important to addressing COVID-19 and preparing for future pandemics.
Priority #2: Reengage as a leader on the world stage, including rejoining the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Accords.
The Biden administration recommitted to WHO and the Paris Climate Accords on Day One, and BIO applauded the decision to join the COVAX Facility and ACT Accelerator.
“We were pleased to see the Administration join the COVAX initiative,” said Joe Damond, BIO’s Deputy Chief of Policy and EVP for International Affairs. “This global collaboration is critical to ensure global access to COVID-19 vaccines.” The United States has contributed $2 billion to COVAX, and plans to contribute $2 billion more.
“By rejoining the Paris Climate Accord and hosting the Leaders Summit on Climate, President Biden is elevating U.S. ambitions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions reestablishing U.S. leadership,” Damond continued. In addition, the administration is launching the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate, which demonstrates “the president is working with important allies to position agricultural innovations as a solution” to climate change.
Priority #3: Develop and approve more vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics to prevent and treat COVID-19.
To date, the United States has authorized three COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use. More than 42% of American adults have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and more than 95 million are fully vaccinated.
“The ramp-up in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign over the past few months has been unprecedented in its speed and scale,” said Phyllis Arthur, BIO's VP for Infectious Diseases and Emerging Science. “In particular, it has been encouraging to see the Biden administration’s efforts to increase vaccine confidence and facilitate access to COVID-19 vaccines for all communities.”
Priority #4: Promote robust and equitable patient access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
Confronting racial disparities and advancing health equity are clear policy goals of the administration, as shown by the $1.5 trillion discretionary funding request for FY22. This includes $8.5 billion for the Indian Health Service (a $2.2 billion increase), $153 million for the CDC’s Social Determinants of Health program (a $150 million increase), and $200 million to reduce the maternal mortality rate and race-based disparities in outcomes, among other requests.
Priority #5: Better prepare for future infectious disease outbreaks.
Genetic engineering of animals used in agriculture has the potential to improve animal health and resiliency and stop the next zoonotic disease pandemic—but the current approach needs to be modernized and encourage innovation. USDA proposed a new framework for oversight of these animals that could incentivize development and use of these animals.
Read:What biotech can expect from the Biden administration’s agricultural policy agenda
Priority #6: Drive economic revival and resiliency through adoption of advanced biotechnology solutions.
President Biden’s American Jobs Plan contains substantial backing for biotechnology’s role in agriculture, biobased manufacturing, environmental protection, rural economies, and sustainable fuels, as we reported, and several actions by the administration to support the development of sustainable aviation fuels in particular follow BIO recommendations.
Read:Biotech Solutions for Climate Report
You can watch President Biden's joint address at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT.
Health Care News:
STAT News: The lessons the world can learn from the epidemics that were contained
A new report, Epidemics That Didn’t Happen, "makes the case for improved pandemic preparedness by highlighting infectious diseases outbreaks that the world was able to contain."
The Wall Street Journal: Sanofi to help make Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for U.S.
“France-based Sanofi said it would fill vials and finish packaging for Moderna’s vaccine at Sanofi’s plant in Ridgefield, N.J.”
World Economic Forum: Health challenges need predictable healthcare investment policies. Japan’s example shows why
“The limitations in competitiveness of its biopharmaceutical sector are highlighted by its lack of a home-grown COVID vaccine, due in large part to a policy environment that is sending the wrong signals to those who would invest in developing innovative medicines in Japan,” writes BIO’s Joe Damond.
The Boston Herald (Opinion): Patents don’t hamper access to drugs and vaccines
“Intellectual property rights don’t impede access to lifesaving drugs and vaccines. They facilitate the creation of those drugs in the first place,” says Jon Soderstrom, Managing Director of the Office of Cooperative Research at Yale University.
Agriculture and Environment News:
U.S. Senator Ed Markey: Senators Markey, Gillibrand, Rubio, and Capito Reintroduce Bipartisan Bioeconomy Research and Development Legislation
This legislation would strengthen America’s bioeconomy by establishing an initiative to advance research and development in engineering biology, advancing biomanufacturing, developing the future bioeconomy workforce, and supporting research in ethical, legal, environmental, safety, security, and societal issues.
Chicago Tribune: Indiana governor vetoes bill requiring ethanol warning label
“Gov. Eric Holcomb has vetoed a bill that would require additional labeling for Indiana gas pumps that distribute E15, a fuel blend that contains up to 15% ethanol in gasoline.”
Environmental Defense Fund: 3 ways the Growing Climate Solutions Act will help farmers and rural communities thrive
The bill could help agriculture “do double duty for climate resilience,” expand “access to credible carbon markets,” and serve as “a model for bipartisan action on climate.”
