BIO Announces Dedicated Focus on Human Health and Biopharmaceutical Innovation

Washington, DC, May 28, 2025 – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today announced plans to dedicate its focus entirely to human health and to transition the work of its Agriculture and Environment (A&E) section to other organizations.  This change is intended to enable an enhanced strategic focus on each of these respective areas of biotechnology and will be effective July 1, 2025. In support of this transition, BIO announced the hiring of two new senior executives to lead Regulatory Affairs and a new “Center of Excellence” focused on Emerging Companies & Economic Growth.  

“The field of biotechnology is increasingly diverse, with great threats and significant opportunities,” said John F. Crowley, President and CEO, BIO. “In consultation with the BIO Executive Committee and the Agriculture and Environment Governing Board, BIO has determined that these organizational changes will enable greater focus and impact on behalf of our healthcare members, and will sharpen our advocacy work on critical policy priorities for the improvement of human health – modernizing the FDA’s regulatory processes; building back a robust biopharmaceutical manufacturing base across the US and our allies; preserving strong IP protections; fostering capital formation; protecting our national security; and enabling 21^st Century access to medicines. At the same time, this change will enable A&E member companies to enhance their focus on agricultural and environmental biotech at expert third-party organizations.”  

BIO also announced the addition of two new senior leaders to its healthcare team.  

Annetta Beauregard will join BIO effective June 9, 2025 as SVP, Science & Regulatory Affairs, where she will spearhead BIO’s regulatory policy strategy and PDUFA negotiations. A seasoned regulatory executive, Beauregard has held a number of senior regulatory affairs roles across the biotech industry, including VP of Regulatory Affairs positions at Immunovant, Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.  

Veteran biotech CEO Brad Zakes, who most recently served as President and CEO of Cerevast Medical, Inc and President and CEO of Longevity Biomedical will join BIO, effective June 24, 2025  as EVP, Emerging Companies and Economic Development, and will lead a newly established BIO Center of Excellence focused on these areas. Zakes brings more than 30 years of experience leading biotech start-up companies and has been a longtime BIO Board Director and member of the BIO Executive Committee. 

“BIO has a unique position and obligation to work with policymakers, lawmakers, patients and our innovators in healthcare to modernize our clinical and regulatory systems. We must rebuild trust in our institutions and match the speed of science to advance newer and better medicines, therapies and vaccines that improve the lives of patients and their families,” said Crowley. “Moreover, the heart and soul of biotech are our emerging companies. A new center of excellence here at BIO, led by Brad, will be the foundation of greater support and continued high priority focus for these companies. I am thrilled to welcome Annetta and Brad to the BIO team, and to continue to deepen the expertise and experience we can offer to our members and the ‘virtuous circle’ of scientific and medical innovation.” 

About BIO  
BIO is the world's largest trade association representing 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.  

###