Admiral McRaven to keynote BIO 2024

BIO announced one of the keynote speakers at the 2024 BIO International Convention: Admiral William McRaven. Plus, Sen. Sanders launched a politically motivated investigation into revolutionary, cost-effective diabetes and obesity medicines—BIO explains what you need to know. (634 words, 3 minutes, 10 seconds)

Admiral William McRaven to keynote BIO 2024 in San Diego

Retired U.S. Navy four-star admiral William McRaven—a Navy SEAL, University Chancellor, best-selling author, and world-renowned leadership authority—will give a keynote at the BIO International Convention in San Diego.

The keynote: BIO President & CEO John F. Crowley will interview Admiral McRaven about the challenge of global events today and the implications for biotechnology as a national security imperative. Admiral McRaven will also share insights on leadership in managing complex organizations.

Where to see it: The June 3-6 BIO International Convention, the largest global event for the biotech industry, which brings together more than 15,000 leaders in health, agricultural, industrial, and environmental biotechnology products.

What he says about biotech: “For more than a century, the United States has been the medicine chest to the world, providing life-saving vaccines, antibiotics, and therapeutics, saving millions of lives. In the face of diverse global threats, maintaining a robust biotech industry is paramount for safeguarding both the nation and our allies,” Admiral McRaven said.

“We are on the cusp of a golden age of biotechnology, and Admiral McRaven will highlight why it is a strategic imperative for the United States to bolster our biotechnology capabilities and foster innovation in order to safeguard our nation and global society,” said Crowley. “He brings unparalleled expertise and experience to the discussion on the intersection of biotechnology and national security.”

The details: Admiral McRaven will speak on Wednesday, June 5, at the BIO International Convention in San Diego.

Learn more and register at convention.bio.org.

Sanders launches politically motivated investigation into Ozempic, Wegovy pricing

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is launching an investigation into the pricing of Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1-based medicines for diabetes and obesity, Ozempic and Wegovy—and he may expand the inquiry to include other medicines in the same class.

What he’s asking for:Sanders’ letter to Novo Nordisk leadership poses six questions, including a request for documents about the pricing and lifecycle management of the medicines, as well as details on patent filings and research and development investments.

A shaky foundation: Sanders’ efforts are built on cherry-picked data and ignore evidence that the medicines are priced cost effectively, explains BIO. He bases part of his rationale on a recent study (that has been criticized) attempting to determine a sustainable “cost-based price” for these medicines.

The investigation pays little attention to ongoing research showing the value of GLP-1s. Wegovy can reduce heart disease outcomes in patients with risk factors, and Phase 3 data shows Zepbound improves sleep apnea in patients with obesity, as two examples.

The context: More than $1 trillion in costs can be connected to obesity, making efforts to incentivize ongoing innovation critical to the long-term fiscal sustainability of the healthcare system.

BIO’s view: “The biopharmaceutical industry delivers best for the American people when it brings cost-effective medicines that effectively address unmet needs and pressing public health concerns. Efforts to address affordability should be based on validated evidence that takes the entire innovation ecosystem into account,” says BIO.

Read and share BIO's full op-ed at Bio.News.

Nominations are open until Friday, May 3 at 5pm EDT for the George Washington Carver and Rosalind Franklin Awards, recognizing innovators in agriculture, food systems, energy, and biobased manufacturing whose accomplishments advance the bioeconomy. Winners will be announced at the June 3-6 BIO International Convention.

Nominate a leader for the George Washington Carver Award or Rosalind Franklin Award.

President Biden’s Tuesday: Campaigning in Delaware. The Administration is expected to release a long-awaited greenhouse gas emissions model that could qualify sustainable aviation fuel made from corn-based ethanol for tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: The Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Department of Defense “efforts to ensure servicemembers’ access to safe, high-quality pharmaceuticals,” will feature Dr. Melissa Barber, who authored the above-mentioned (and criticized) study.