New BIO Science and Regulatory Department to be headed by Dr. Gillian R. Woollett

Washington, D.C. (January 24, 2003) – Carl B. Feldbaum, President of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today announced the establishment of a new Science and Regulatory Affairs Department at BIO with Gillian R. Woollett, M.A., D.Phil., as its first Vice President.

“Rapid advances in biotechnology, and related sciences, require a similarly current and responsive regulatory system if scientific breakthroughs are to be transformed into new medicines,” Feldbaum stated. “This new department will play a critical role in enabling the best and brightest from both industry and government to work together effectively.”

“I am delighted that Dr. Woollett is coming to BIO to lead this new department. Dr. Woollett has top quality science and regulatory credentials, and has extensive experience with the unique issues that pertain to biotech medicines, as well as tremendous enthusiasm for the tasks ahead. Her addition will elevate BIO’s regulatory and scientific capabilities to a new level,” Feldbaum said.

Dr. Woollett was most recently Associate Vice President for Biologics and Biotechnology at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). At PhRMA she was responsible for managing policy on research, development, manufacturing, regulatory, and all related issues for biologic medicines. This included therapeutic equivalence, cell and gene therapy, vaccines and the recent challenges associated with emergency biopreparedness. She was PhRMA’s Liaison to both CBER and CDER at the FDA on biologics issues.

Prior to joining PhRMA in 1996, Dr. Woollett was the Deputy Director, Special Science Programs at the American Institute of Biological Sciences in Washington D.C. Dr. Woollett was also a research investigator at the Biomedical Research Institute in Rockville, MD. She holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Immunology from the University of Oxford, and a Master of Arts from the University of Cambridge.

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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