FDA Funding Proposal Provides Needed Resources to Bring Medical Advances to Patients Safely and Quickly

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 17, 2007) -- The following statement was issued by Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood following today’s markup of the FY 2009 Department of Agriculture Appropriations bill by the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies:

“Today, the Subcommittee has taken an important step toward ensuring the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sufficient resources to continue to accomplish its mission of quickly and effectively reviewing and approving novel therapies, foods and medical devices, and ensuring the safety and public confidence in those products.

“The proposed funding increase of $186 million represents the most significant increase in the FDA’s budget in recent memory.  The proposal includes additional funds for essential programs such as the Critical Path Initiative and drug safety measures which will help ensure efficient and thorough approval of safe and effective drugs and devices.  This will greatly enhance the ability of biotechnology pioneers to get life-enhancing and life-saving therapies out of research labs and into the hands of patients as quickly as possible.

“More, the proposal will add badly needed resources to allow the FDA to hire additional food inspectors, providing the public with further confidence in the safety of the nation’s food supply.

“We thank Subcommittee Chairman Herbert Kohl (D-WI) and Ranking Member Robert Bennett (R-UT), along with the full Subcommittee, for their efforts to increase the FDA’s budget.  We look forward to working with the full Committee and all members of the Senate as we continue in our efforts to ensure the FDA has the resources it needs to continue as the premier consumer protection agency in the world.”

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.  BIO also produces the annual BIO International Convention, the global event for biotechnology.  www.bio.org

Upcoming BIO Events

·         BIO Mid-America VentureForum 2007

Sep. 24–26, 2007

Milwaukee, WI

·         BIO InvestorForum 2007

October 9-11, 2007

San Francisco, CA

·         BIO International Convention
June 17–20, 2008

San Diego, CA

###