Senator Coons Honored as BIO Legislator of the Year
Washington, D.C. (April 15, 2015) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) as a Legislator of the Year for 2015. Senator Coons receives the award in conjunction with today’s BIO Legislative Day Fly-In.
“Senator Coons has been a steadfast champion on the issues that matter to our industry. BIO thanks Senator Coons for introducing the STRONG Patents Act of 2015, important legislation that targets the abusive practices of patent trolls through carefully calibrated measures that maintain the overall strength of the U.S. patent system,” said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. “We also thank him for championing legislation that would level the playing field for renewable energy investors by providing access to master limited partnership tax structures currently available only to fossil fuel companies. Furthermore, thanks to his continued support for 12 years of data exclusivity in international trade talks, this industry will continue to innovate and deliver new cures and treatments for debilitating diseases.”
"The life science industry in Delaware delivers an enormous annual economic impact and provides jobs, both directly and indirectly, for over 31,000 people. Senator Coons has been an invaluable resource for the biotechnology community – both at home and for the nation at large,” said Bob Dayton, president of the Delaware BioScience Association. "We thank the Senator for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the Delaware life science community, and congratulate him on receiving this award."
More than 300 biotechnology industry representatives from over 40 states, representing hundreds of thousands of American workers, will participate in hundreds of meetings with Members of the House and Senate during the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In. Participants will discuss issues critical to the biotechnology industry including, drug development, discovery and delivery reforms, targeting abuses of the U.S. patent system while protecting innovation, providing adequate reimbursement for vital therapies under Medicare, FDA funding, tax policy, support for science-based GMO food labeling solutions and capital formation issues relevant to biotechnology companies.