BIO NAMES FLORIDA STATE SENATOR AS LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR

WASHINGTON, DC – (April 15, 2002) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today honored Florida State Senator Ron Klein(D-Boca Raton) as State Legislator of the Year for his support of the growth and development of the biotechnology industry in Florida.

Ray Briscuso, executive director of BIO, presented Klein with the award at the grand opening and dedication of NABI Biopharmaceuticals’ manufacturing facility in Boca Raton, Florida. “Senator Klein’s reputation for level-headed policy making has given the biotechnology industry a stalwart advocate in Tallahassee,” said Briscuso.

During the past few years, Senator Klein’s accomplishments have included the passage of the Florida Technology Development Act, the creation of the Florida Research Consortium and working with Florida universities to streamline the technology transfer process.

BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

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