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Florida Lawmaker Named BIO Legislator of the Year

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 9, 2003) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is pleased to announce that it has named U.S. Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) as a “Legislator of the Year” for 2002-2003.

BIO President Carl B. Feldbaum said, “Congressman Foley is an ardent supporter of biotechnology and has demonstrated his dedication through his leadership on Medicare reform, prescription drug coverage, and the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System.

“BIO commends Representative Foley’s active and supportive role on the House Ways and Means Committee, and his championing of orphan drug legislation that will provide critical incentives for biotech companies to continue their work in developing therapies for small patient populations that live with some of the most debilitating diseases,” added Feldbaum.

The award was presented during an 8:30 a.m. breakfast on Wednesday, April 9 at the Reserve Officers Association building in Washington, D.C. in connection with BIO’s Legislative Day event.

More than 200 congressional meetings with more than 175 biotechnology industry representatives are expected to be conducted on Capitol Hill today during the BIO Legislative Day event. Participants will discuss a number of important biotechnology issues, including reimbursement problems within the Medicare hospital outpatient setting, tax and capital formation, Medicare reform, regulatory concerns surrounding follow-on biologics and reducing trade barriers for American farmers.

BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.