BIO Statement on Nomination of Andrei Iancu to Lead U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Washington, D.C. (August 29, 2017) – Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) President and CEO James C. Greenwood issued the following statement on the nomination of Andrei Iancu to lead the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office:

“BIO congratulates Mr. Iancu on his nomination to lead the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This is a critical juncture for the biotechnology industry, which currently has thousands of first-in-class medicines, alternative energy sources, and insect- and drought-resistant crops in the pipeline with the potential to transform how we treat diseases and how we address the industrial and environmental challenges facing our world. Smaller biotech startups innovate 70 percent of new drugs, and they rely upon robust intellectual property protection and enforceable patents to raise the hundreds of millions of dollars required to bring life-saving treatments to patients.

“We look forward to learning more about Mr. Iancu’s views during the Senate confirmation process on how we can strengthen America’s intellectual property system.”

About BIO

BIO is the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIOtechNOW is BIO's blog chronicling “innovations transforming our world” and the BIO Newsletter is the organization’s bi-weekly email newsletter. Subscribe to the BIO Newsletter.