BIO.News Newsletter

Happy New Year. We’re kicking off a busy week in Washington with a look at the role of CRISPR in fighting the pandemic—and how this might lead to other innovations in the future. (1,000 words, 5 minutes)

We hope you and your loved ones are staying healthy and safe this holiday season. Good Day BIO is still on a break, but we wanted to pop in to send you a few things we've been reading and remind you to mark your calendars for BIO's first events of 2021. (830 words, 4 minutes, 28 seconds)

Don’t put on your “out of office” message quite yet, because we have a few things you need to know about COVID-19 vaccine allocation. Plus, we close the year with a look at some of our newest members and why they decided to join. (863 words, 4 minutes, 18 seconds)    Good Day BIO is taking a holiday break—and we hope you do, too. We will resume normal publication on Monday, January 4, 2021, though we will pop in your inbox if there’s major news. Happy Holidays!

So much for a slow news week. Yesterday, USDA proposed a rulemaking regarding transferring authority over agricultural animal biotech from FDA to USDA—a welcome step towards a modernized animal biotech regulatory system (and a policy priority for BIO). We also catch you up on the COVID-19 vaccine news. (737 words, 3 minutes, 41 seconds)

Congratulations to BIO member Moderna on the emergency use authorization of your COVID-19 vaccine, the second vaccine to be authorized for use in the United States! These vaccines are safe and effective—but some Americans remain hesitant to get them. We discuss why and how we can tackle it, as well as take a look at what’s needed to grow the bioeconomy moving forward. (920 words, 4 minutes, 36 seconds)

Yesterday, an FDA independent advisory panel voted to endorse Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, clearing the way for emergency use authorization as soon as today. Meanwhile, we’re taking a look at the payroll R&D tax credit, Washington State’s plans for a low-carbon fuel standard, and whether the federal government will shut down tonight. (767 words, 3 minutes, 50 seconds)

The FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meets today to discuss emergency use authorization of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. In other news, we look at new data on health care spending and the future of gene editing. (916 words, 4 minutes, 34 seconds)

COVID-19 vaccines are here—but how do we ensure people will get them when it’s their turn? BIO’s Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath discussed this on CNN. Meanwhile, 2021 is shaping up to be a critical year in the war on climate change, so we take a look at the many ways gene editing can contribute. (834 words, 4 minutes, 10 seconds)

The emergency use authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine less than one year after the virus was identified is an amazing feat—but attempts to weaken IP protections could undermine this kind of innovation in the future. We explain why, plus look at how one company is successfully marketing its GM apples to consumers. (871 words, 4 minutes, 20 seconds)

It’s a happy Monday indeed with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses on their way to every U.S. state and territory. Meanwhile, ICYMI in the midst of all the vaccine excitement, Bayh-Dole turned 40 and Congress passed the defense spending bill with a boost for the bioeconomy. (1,000 words, 5 minutes)