In response to attacks on Dr. Anthony Fauci’s credibility and character, BIO President and CEO Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath issued the following statement: “As this global pandemic continues to wreak havoc, we must stand behind the scientists and researchers working tirelessly to eradicate this devastating disease. Nothing is more disheartening or disturbing than to see Dr. Anthony Fauci, a critical leader at a pivotal moment, maligned publicly and attacked personally. Dr. Fauci is a decent man, a brilliant scientist, and dedicated public servant. He has committed his life to advancing the power of science and promoting public health. We have benefited from his medical and scientific guidance for over 30 years, ever since his appointment by President Reagan. He has guided the world through HIV, Ebola, and SARS. We need his firsthand historical and scientific knowledge now more than ever. He does not deserve these attacks, which in the long run only undermine our response to this pandemic, and, in doing so, put more patients at risk. “We are facing a novel Coronavirus. So we are, by definition, learning as we go. And scientists, also by definition, must adapt as new information emerges. They use their expertise and experience to evaluate new data as it comes and then alter their advice to account for this new knowledge. Science is a process and it is a sign of our scientific success that we know more about COVID today than we did yesterday. Scientists fail when they don’t change in the face of new data, rather than when they do. Can you imagine a world in which scientists didn't change course as new understanding emerged? In my lifetime alone, the biotech industry has been able to triple the life expectancy of patients with cystic fibrosis, come close to ending the scourge of sickle cell anemia, and turn HIV into a chronic disease by listening to new information.                            …

Today more than 20 leading biopharmaceutical companies announced the creation of an estimated $1 billion fund to help support the pipeline for new antibiotic treatments. The AMR Action Fund was launched as the threat of antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, continues to grow and claim more lives. In response to today’s launch of the fund, BIO issued the following statements celebrating the news: “Antimicrobial resistance is one of the largest and looming public health threats we face today,” said BIO President and CEO Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath. “Even as the world’s scientists work tirelessly to fight COVID-19, we must not ease up on our battle against antimicrobial resistance. Just as we’ve seen our industry step up during the pandemic, I applaud these biopharmaceutical leaders and partners for committing to the development of new antibiotics. The AMR Action Fund will provide critical support for the development of new medicines, but it is up to policymakers to enact the long-term changes needed to support healthy, sustainable markets for the future development of new and effective antibiotics.” “For years, we’ve watched antimicrobial-resistance infections rapidly rise around the world, while the market has slowly shrunk for new medicines to fight them,” said Greg Frank, Director of Infectious Disease Policy at BIO & Director of the Working to Fight AMR campaign. “Today’s new AMR Action Fund will have a tremendous impact on the development of new antimicrobials, but we still need government to implement new policies and incentives so companies can successfully develop, test, and launch new antimicrobial products.” Biopharmaceutical companies and foundations supporting the fund are: Almirall, Amgen, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chugai, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, Eli Lilly and Company, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, LEO Pharma, Lundbeck, Menarini, Merck, MSD, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Pfizer, Roche, Shionogi, Takeda, Teva, and UCB …