BIO Lauds Senate Passage of Strengthened Two-Year R&D Credit
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Thursday, October 02, 2008) - The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today lauded U.S. Senate passage of a 2-year extension of the federal research and development (R&D) tax credit and urged the House to pass the package when it is considered on Friday. The R&D tax credit extension is part of the “Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.”
“In today’s precarious markets, biotechnology companies need the stabilizing influence that the R&D credit can provide,” said Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO. “Much of the promise of biotech therapies for auto-immune diseases, ‘superbugs,’ biofuels, and many other innovations depends on fostering innovative research through measures like the R&D credit.”
“As we approach the end of the year,” Greenwood continued, “These businesses face ever more uncertainty about their future, specifically their ability to plan for investments in R&D here in the U.S. It is essential that the House pass the economic stabilization legislation, including a 2-year extension of a strengthened R&D credit, before the 110th Congress adjourns.”
Greenwood noted that the economic stabilization legislation includes an increase in the Alternative Simplified Credit (ASC) method rate, which would “strengthen and modernize the R&D credit, something that is long overdue. In a world of mobile capital and increasingly sophisticated and well-trained workforces abroad, the U.S. must employ every measure possible to keep the high-wage jobs associated with research and development here at home. A strengthened and longer-term R&D credit will help to accomplish this goal.”
Click here to read BIO’s letter to House leadership supporting passage of the “Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008,” and here to read a letter signed by a broad coalition of businesses, environmental organizations, public health advocates, electric utilities, agricultural organizations, investors, labor groups, nongovernmental organizations, states, and trade associations urging enactment of a tax extenders bill before Congress leaves for the election recess.
Upcoming BIO Events
Intellectual Property Council Committee Fall Conference and Meeting
October 20-22, 2008
Orlando, Fla.
BIO HR Conference 2008
October 26-28, 2008
San Diego, Calif.
BIO-LES Advanced Business Development Course
October 27-29, 2008
San Francisco, Calif.
BIO Investor Forum 2008
October 29-31, 2008
San Francisco, Calif.
Advanced Business Development Course
November 14-16, 2008
Mannheim/Heidelberg, Germany
BIO-Europe 2008
November 17-19, 2008
Mannheim/Heidelberg, Germany
2009 BIO International Convention
May 18-21, 2009
Atlanta, Ga.
About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.
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