The Biden administration just announced its intent for the United States to join the COVAX vaccine facility, which aims to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to poor and under-developed countries. Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), made the following statement: “As the organization representing U.S. biotechnology companies who are leading the world in the of development COVID vaccines and therapeutics, BIO welcomes Dr. Anthony Fauci’s statement today that the United States will be joining the global COVAX and ACT Accelerator programs, which are the chief international efforts charged with getting COVID treatments to patients around the world.  “Medical breakthroughs in COVID can only fulfill their potential, and the global pandemic can only be effectively addressed if patients around the world get access to them. As the country developing more COVID vaccines and therapeutics than any other, it is appropriate and necessary that the United States also play a leadership role working with other countries and international organizations to make sure patients around the world receive them.  “BIO looks forward to working with the U.S. and other governments to achieve this critical goal.”  

Washington, D.C. (January 20, 2021) — The BiotechnologyInnovation Organization (BIO) and the Low Carbon Fuels Coalition (LCFC) today released the following statement in support of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s inclusion of a clean fuel standard in her priorities for the 2021 session: “BIO and the Low Carbon Fuels Coalition thank Governor Lujan Grisham for recognizing the potential of a clean fuel standard to decarbonize transportation—the state’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases,” said Stephanie Batchelor, Vice President of BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section in a statement joined by LCFC Executive Director Graham Noyes. “Stable policies like a clean fuel standard that incentivize green energy breakthroughs will help improve the state’s air quality and public health, revitalize the state’s economy following COVID-19, and spur development in New Mexico's biotechnology sector. We look forward to working with Governor Lujan Grisham and state lawmakers to establish a clean fuel standard in New Mexico.”

In his last day in office, former President Donald Trump proposed a sweeping change to Medicare’s “Part D” drug benefit. Billed as a demonstration project through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), this new policy would allow insurance plans to cover fewer “protected” drugs in their formularies beginning next year. Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), made the following statement: “In his last day in office, and post resignations from both Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma, former President Trump attempted to strip essential protections for seniors in Medicare Part D. “At the heart of the wildly successful Medicare Part D drug benefit has been a pillar of protections against anti-discrimination practices for seniors and vulnerable Americans. “Previous attempts to modify Medicare’s “protected” drug classes have been met with fierce opposition by patients, stakeholders, and members of Congress – and for good reason.  “Proposed changes could result in seniors losing access to treatments they rely on, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants, and antineoplastics. Removing these protections will undoubtedly have a crushing effect on patients with mental health issues, cancer, transplants, and other life-threatening conditions. “BIO strongly opposes this action, which was no doubt intended to be a parting shot at biopharmaceutical researchers. We urge President Biden’s new administration to put patient needs first and scrap this cruel policy.”  You can find the full CMMI proposal here. 

Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) made the following remarks after President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn into office:  “On behalf of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, the nearly 1000 companies, universities, and biotech organizations we represent comprised of millions of scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs we would like to congratulate President Biden and Vice President Harris on their historic inauguration. "We join the Nation in optimism that today marks a new opportunity for science to guide our response to the pandemic and return our Nation and the world to health and prosperity. "We pledge to work with you and your Administration to advance the cause of truth and scientific innovation. Our companies are on the front lines battling COVID and we will do whatever we can to help you end this plague. You can count on us to tell you the truth about how your policies will effect American patients and life science discoveries. "We will also heed your call to work cooperatively and constructively with people of differing viewpoints so public policy debates can once again be about understanding and not division. Congratulations.”  

Washington, DC –  The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), which announced its transition to a new CEO in June to Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, is announcing a new leadership team and organizational structure that promises to provide long-term stability for the organization’s ambitious agenda. Some staff reductions were made to align the organization for the new strategic direction. “The new senior leadership structure will better focus the association on its key goals of advocacy, education, and collaboration,” said McMurry-Heath. “Our excellent leadership team will have the freedom to bring a more laser-like focus to their areas of responsibility, allowing us to accomplish the goals of our strategic vision more efficiently and more effectively.” BIO’s streamlined structure will allow it to continue the highly successful digital partnering events, which last year facilitated over 37,000 partnering meetings connecting executives, entrepreneurs, and investors with the entire life science industry. BIO’s first partnering event of 2021 scheduled over 10,000 meetings during “JPM Week”—an indication of the industry’s enthusiasm for partnerships and collaboration. BIO expects to offer virtual-only events throughout most of 2021. New Strategic Vison and Senior Leadership Group BIO’s recently released five pillar strategic vision for the future will guide the leadership team and the entire organization: Be a voice of science and for science. Unite and empower biotech innovators and their ecosystem to improve lives. Remove barriers to innovation. Champion broad access to biotech breakthroughs and scientific equality. Catalyze resilient and sustainable bio-based economies. Beginning February 1, 2021, a new senior leadership team will work with Dr. McMurry-Heath to execute the strategic vision. The reorganized structure will soon include a new Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer and currently consists of: Chief Policy Officer, Tom…