Event Highlighted Leadership in Vaccine Development and Regional Growth in Biotechnology Innovation Gaithersburg, MD (September 24, 2020) – Today, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, President & CEO of Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), joined Novavax President & CEO Stanley Erck to discuss the importance of the biotechnology sector in Maryland, the industry’s efforts to address COVID-19, and progress being made by Novavax to develop a vaccine for the deadly virus. A video of the remarks is now available.   "When the COVID-19 crisis began, even before we had our first confirmed cases, I said that our state was home to some of the top health research facilities in the world, and I hoped that we might be a part of developing treatments and perhaps even a vaccine for this deadly virus," said Governor Hogan. "Novavax took that challenge and immediately hit the ground running. The State of Maryland is proud to support the efforts of Novavax and our entire hub of life sciences companies, which is at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19."  Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath spoke about the unprecedented response by the biotechnology industry to fight COVID-19. “Novavax is a shining example of that response, that galvanized intellectual capacity, and the ability to put the power of science to healing the world,” she said. “We at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization couldn’t be prouder of how our companies, our scientists, our entrepreneurs, have really mobilized to change the world.” “We are about to enter three different phase 3 trials, including a trial that is starting imminently in the UK in 10,000 people, a trial that is starting in the U.S. in a few weeks that will be 30,000 people and a third phase 3 trial in India. We have a global presence. This is a global disease. I don’t think it’s sufficient that we have a vaccine that is just used for the United States. To protect the United States, you…

Washington, D.C. (September 22, 2020) –The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today presented Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, founder of AgTrade Strategies LLC, former Assistant United States Trade Representative for Agricultural Affairs and Commodity Policy, and a past leader of BIO’s Food and Agriculture Section, with the fifth annual BIO Leadership and Legacy Award. “I am honored to accept this award for my work to advance agricultural biotechnology in U.S. trade policy,” said Bomer Lauritsen. “But I also recognize the critical work that U.S. government civil servants undertake every day to support the use and acceptance of agricultural biotechnology by farmers around the world.” Bomer Lauritsen served at USTR for more than 16 years, helping lead agricultural trade negotiations with Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and at the World Trade Organization.  Prior to joining USTR, she helped advance U.S. agriculture on the world stage by serving in senior management positions for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. She served as BIO’s Executive Vice President for Food and Agriculture from 2007 to 2011. “Each year, this award highlights those that have left a legacy on our industry, and Sharon’s tireless work to advance U.S. agriculture on the global stage perfectly embodies what this honor stands for,” said Dana O’Brien, Executive Vice President of BIO’s Food and Agriculture Section. “Her leadership helped lay the groundwork for the growth of the modern bioeconomy. Her work helped drive international acceptance of biotechnology that enables farmers to be part of the solution to our world’s most complex challenges—like addressing climate change and creating resilient supply chains.” Sharon Bomer Lauritsen becomes the fifth recipient of the Leadership and Legacy Award and joins Mario Pennisi, Queensland; Dr. Larry Walker, Industrial Biotechnology Journal; Dr. Gord Surgeoner, Ontario…

Washington, D.C. (September 17, 2020) – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) announced Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman of Praj Industries Limited, as the winner of the 2020 George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology and Agriculture and Dr. Emily Leproust, CEO and Co-Founder of Twist Bioscience, as the winner of the 2020 Rosalind Franklin Award for Leadership in Industrial Biotechnology and Agriculture. Through their significant contributions in building and strengthening the biobased economy, Dr. Pramod Chaudhari and Dr. Emily Leproust are driving sustainable solutions for how we build a more resilient world in the face of unprecedented global health and climate challenges. “The BIO IMPACT award winners represent leaders in advancing the bioeconomy,” said Stephanie Batchelor, Vice President of BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section. “Both Emily and Pramod’s vision have shown biotechnology’s vast potential in solving ever-increasing challenges—from the current coronavirus pandemic to addressing climate change to establishing an economy centered around sustainability. I’m proud to recognize both of them with this extraordinary honor.” The awardees will be honored during a fireside chat at the reimagined BIO IMPACT Digital Ag & Environment Conference, taking place September 21-22, 2020. The George Washington Carver Award is sponsored by the Iowa Biotechnology Association and the Rosalind Franklin Award is sponsored by the Rosalind Franklin Society.  2020 George Washington Carver Award Winner: Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman of Praj Industries Limited A first-generation tech entrepreneur dedicated to decarbonization and growing the bioeconomy, Pramod is the founder of Praj, one of India’s most accomplished process and project engineering companies with offices around the globe and customers in 75+ countries. Pramod developed Praj’s Bio-Mobility™ platform, which produces renewable liquid…