Representative Meehan Honored as BIO Legislator of the Year
Washington, D.C. (April 13, 2016) – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Congressman Patrick Meehan (R-PA) as a Legislator of the Year for 2016. Representative Meehan receives the award in conjunction with today’s BIO Legislative Day Fly-In.
“Representative Meehan has distinguished himself as a champion of America's biotechnology industry. We particularly appreciate his support of biotechnology as the lead sponsor of HR 2179, the PARTNER Act, which encourages research and development in small, innovative companies across the United States. We are also grateful for his consistent efforts to protect the biotechnology industry from the potentially damaging effects of intellectual property provisions in the Trans Pacific Partnership," said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood.
“The life science industry in Pennsylvania delivers an enormous economic impact and provides jobs, both directly and indirectly, to nearly a half-million Pennsylvanians. Congressman Meehan recognizes the tremendous economic and societal benefits this industry produces and has distinguished himself as a leader for national policy that ultimately benefits people everywhere. We thank the Congressman for his outstanding leadership in Pennsylvania and throughout our country," said Pennsylvania Bio President & CEO Christopher Molineaux.
More than 200 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.
Photos of the award presentation are available upon request.
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.