BIO.News Newsletter

Start your week with this must-watch story of a BIO Board member who saved a stranger’s life with his own invention. Meanwhile, the government’s quiet today but we take a look at climate contingency plans released by 26 government agencies last week—and the important role for biotech. (661 words, 3 minutes, 18 seconds)  RIP “biotech giant” Alan C. Mendelson, who passed away over the weekend. The former BIO Board member was “one of the all-time great legal minds in biotech,” as former chairman…

The Senate voted to raise the debt ceiling and bipartisan House members are calling on the administration to improve the regulatory process for animal biotech. We also look at why the Merck-Ridgeback COVID-19 pill is an example of the importance of Bayh-Dole and America’s innovation ecosystem. (990 words, 4 minutes, 57 seconds)

It’s Mental Illness Awareness Week—here’s more on why it’s so important to destigmatize mental health care, and where you can find resources. Plus, a recent paper found a low-carbon economy is cheaper than climate change—and luckily, we already have many tools available to help the transition. (722 words, 3 minutes, 36 seconds) P.S. BIO’s Dr. Michelle is speaking at an Axios virtual event today on ensuring access to quality health care—watch the livestream starting at 12:30 PM ET!

How can we calculate the benefits of our sustainability practices—and ensure biotech innovations can be widely adopted? Experts provided insight during BIO IMPACT yesterday. We also have an update on where things stand on the TRIPS waiver. (902 words, 4 minutes, 30 seconds)

The U.S. Trade Representative made a major policy speech yesterday on the administration’s approach to China—we tell you what biotech needs to know. Also, a recent report looks at COVID-19’s impact on older Hispanic adults and provides policy recs for addressing disparities. (777 words, 3 minutes, 53 seconds) The BIO IMPACT Webinar Series begins today with a look at sustainability accounting—get the details and join us at 1 PM ET!

Starting the week with good news: Merck and Ridgeback plan to seek the authorization of what would be the first oral COVID-19 therapeutic, which could change the game when it comes to treating unavoidable infection. We also look at how gene editing could rescue our food supply from climate challenges. (756 words, 3 minutes, 46 seconds)Real quick: Don't forget to register for tomorrow's BIO IMPACT Webinar on Calculating the Benefits of Biotechnology.

A new month—and the government’s not shut down. But there are still a few things we’re worried about, including proposed changes to Qualified Small Business Stock and proposed Prescription Drug Pricing Boards in several states. We explain why these are bad ideas. (782 words, 3 minutes, 54 seconds)

Expect a crazy day in D.C. as Congress prepares to vote on government funding and, maybe, infrastructure. Meanwhile, USDA announced a new climate-smart ag and forestry initiative. And, it’s Rare Cancer Day—here’s how we can help or hinder promising treatments. (904 words, 4 minutes, 31 seconds)

For Sickle Cell Awareness Month, we spoke to one patient advocate about her experience with the disease—and we explain why proposed drug price controls could make disparities in research even worse. We also have a lot of news on gene editing for food from around the world, and why it matters. (941 words, 4 minutes, 42 seconds)

The government’s not the only thing that might shut down. Proposed drug price controls could shut down investment in future cures and harm patients—today’s new episode of the I am BIO Podcast explains why. Plus, BIO IMPACT 2021 begins in one week—we have details about how BIO and our members are tackling climate. (811 words, 4 minutes, 3 seconds)