Texas State Representative Zerwas Honored as BIO Legislator of the Year
Philadelphia, PA (June 17, 2015) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Texas State Representative John Zerwas (District 28) as a Legislator of the Year for 2015. Representative Zerwas received the award at today’s 2015 BIO International Convention, in recognition of his work as the prime sponsor of House Bill 751, critical legislation that will create a pathway for the substitution of interchangeable biologic medicines in Texas.
“I am honored to receive this award from BIO, but the real accomplishment is our working together to create a pathway for access to biologic drugs for chronic patients who need them most in Texas and across the country,” said Zerwas.
“Representative Zerwas has been a proponent of issues critical to our nation’s biotech industry such as sponsoring legislation to create a pathway for the substitution of interchangeable biologic medicines when they are approved by the FDA,” said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. “Representative Zerwas’ leadership ensures that biotechnology can remain a vibrant, research-intensive industry dedicated to providing life-enhancing and life-saving therapies to patients.”
“The Texas life sciences industry provides well over 80,000 jobs and is home to two of the largest industry hubs in the nation. Representative Zerwas understands the value of this industry and the need for responsible policies that support a growing industry in our state. We thank him for his outstanding leadership on behalf of the biotechnology industry in Texas,” said Thomas Kowalski, President of the Texas Healthcare & Bioscience Institute.
The 2015 BIO International Convention is the world’s largest biotechnology event, and will run through Thursday, June 18. Hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, this year’s event, which is taking place in the Philadelphia Convention Center, is expected to attract more than 3,000 biotechnology companies and more than 15,000 attendees from 48 states and 65 countries.