Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe Presented 2016 BIO Governor of the Year Award
San Francisco, CA (June 7, 2016) – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today presented Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe with its 2016 Governor of the Year award in recognition of his leadership and commitment to strengthening the biosciences industry within Virginia. Governor McAuliffe received the award at the 2016 BIO International Convention.
“Biotech innovation is key to building a new Virginia economy, and we have made it a top priority to encourage growth in this exciting sector. This emerging industry has tremendous potential to make our Commonwealth stronger, healthier and more competitive in the 21st century economy,” said Governor McAuliffe. “I am honored to receive this acknowledgement of our administration’s commitment to strengthen and expand an industry that is working to heal, fuel and feed the world.”
“Governor McAuliffe has been an exemplary leader in enhancing Virginia’s growth as a biotech hub through strong support for policies that benefit a pro-jobs and pro-biotechnology environment,” said Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO. “His leadership on biotech tax credits is a model for federal legislation that supports critical early-stage capital formation. Furthermore, initiatives such his Virginia Research Investment Fund are powerful and successful tools for attracting and supporting industry growth. The Governor’s leadership in this field will continue to benefit his state, in terms of jobs and innovation, for years to come.”
“Governor Mcauliffe's tireless advocacy for the biotech industry from the first day of his term has changed the conversation - on both policy and politics - in Virginia. Today, the state's biotech strengths and special opportunities are widely appreciated, and the question is how and how much, not whether, to prioritize this important and growing sector, said Jeff Gallagher, CEO of Virginia Bio. “His biannual introduced in January was visionary, strategic and bold for biotech, strengthening programs that work and creating new policies, programs and funding. It paved the way to an adopted budget which provides far greater financial support for bio research and commercialization than in the history of the Commonwealth. New legislation will spur focused and collaborative growth in research, talent and capital, and as a result innovative products and treatments, new companies and jobs, for years to come. We thank him and his Administration for his service and support.”
Photos available upon request.
About BIO
BIO is the premier biotechnology advocacy organization representing biotech companies, industry leaders, and state biotech associations in the United States and more than 35 countries around the globe. BIO members range from biotech start-ups to some of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical companies – all united by the same goal: to develop medical and scientific breakthroughs that prevent and fight disease, restore health, and improve patients’ lives. BIO also organizes the BIO International Convention and a series of annual conferences that drive partnerships, investment, and progress within the sector. Learn more at bio.org.