BIO submitted comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the inter-agency Section 301 Committee regarding the investigation, initiated on August 18, 2017, by USTR under section 302(b) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, to determine whether acts, policies, and practices of the Government of China related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.

BIO submitted comments on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Draft Guidance, Formal Meetings Between the Food and Drug Administration and Sponsors or Applicants of Prescription Drug User Fee Act Products. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) meeting structure fosters robust communication between the FDA and industry and promotes biomedical innovation. Formal, face-to-face meetings – along with other types of communication like well-written responses, phone calls, and emails – are critical for aligning on complex scientific matters throughout the drug development process. With clarifications, this guidance could be a helpful tool for sponsors to engage in more productive discussions with the FDA. BIO requests clarifications on surrogate endpoint/biomarker Type C meetings, background package contents, whether FDA welcomes discussion of emerging data sources (patient experience data, novel trial designs, real-world evidence), preliminary responses to sponsors, and meeting timelines, among other issues.  

BIO is greatly concerned by the Department of Justice's and Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Settlement Agreement to resolve a dispute about the PES Holdings' obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard.