Good Day BIO: McKalip vote and new boosters

And we're back. With Congress returning from recess (and BIO returning from a break), we have news on Doug McKalip’s hearing tomorrow in the Senate and news from the break about COVID boosters. (684 words, 3 minutes, 25 seconds)

Tomorrow’s vote on McKalip is vital to biotech trade

The Senate Finance Committee is expected to approve Doug McKalip’s nomination as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) tomorrow, setting up a full Senate vote.

The background: BIO has voiced support for McKalip, and Senators back him. “I expect this nominee will be voted out of committee favorably. I think he's well qualified. And most importantly, to speed it along. We badly need new leadership in this position,” said Senate Ag Committee member Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

Why he’s needed: The USTR agriculture post has been vacant since 2020, and there’s pressing business—starting with Mexico’s plans to phase out genetically modified corn by 2024. Mexico faces higher prices and food insecurity from the ban, Bio.News reported.

Mexico's ban is anti-science. In July, a Mexican federal judge ruled the decree to phase out imports does not explain any risks associated with genetically modified corn. And we know biotech helps crops—like soybeans to better withstand climate change and address food concerns.

Beyond Mexico, the chief agricultural negotiator needs to work on removing trade barriers in the Indo-Pacific, “the enforcement of existing trade agreements and the imperative of tackling non-tariff barriers to trade around the world,” says a joint letter supporting McKalip (co-signed by BIO).

BIO’s take: “BIO would like to reiterate our support for Mr. McKalip, who is deeply familiar with the food and agriculture industry following three decades of leadership roles in agriculture policy and trade,” says BIO’s Vice President of International Affairs Nancy Travis.

Keep up with the latest news on agricultural biotechnology.

More Agriculture and Environment News:

NPR: Biden's goal to end hunger by 2030 and his new food conference, explained
“The goal of this year's conference will be to find policy solutions to end hunger, improve nutrition and physical activity, reduce diet-related diseases and close the equity disparities around them.”

The Washington Post: Summer of viruses reflects travel, warming trends
“In many respects, the viral invasion is no accident. A warming climate, vanishing forests and global travel have accelerated the spread of pathogens from animals to people, as well as among people in different parts of the world.”

CDC authorizes bivalent boosters before fall COVID surge

Over the break, the CDC authorized the “bivalent” COVID-19 vaccines—here’s what you need to know. 

The details: The “bivalent” boosters contain a mix of the already proven vaccine and a formulation targeting the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants. The CDC recommended the boosters Thursday—Pfizer-BioNTech for everyone over 12, and Moderna for everyone over 18.

What they’re saying: “If you are eligible, there is no bad time to get your COVID-19 booster and I strongly encourage you to receive it,” says CDC Director Rochelle Walensky of the new bivalent booster.

Experts predict a fall surge, but: “Early distribution of reformulated boosters starting in mid-September is expected to decrease hospitalizations in early fall,” according to projections by multiple research groups.

What’s the rush? The new boosters are projected to have 80% virus efficacy against symptomatic disease, and boosters in September could prevent 137,000 more hospitalizations and 9,700 more deaths compared to boosters in November, CDC says.

Why it matters: “COVID-19 vaccinations are estimated to have prevented 13.7-15.9 million deaths. This represents an estimated 63% reduction in total COVID deaths globally,” according to Matthew Daily, chair of the ACIP COVID-19 Vaccines Work Group. The total number of lives saved is actually projected to be even higher, as Bio.News reported.

But: It’s OK to have questions about vaccines, says BIO’s Phyllis Arthur—so ask them, get the facts, and get vaccinated.

More Health Care News: 

FDA: FDA approves first treatment for acid sphingomyelinase deficiency, a rare genetic disease
Developed by Genzyme, “Xenpozyme is the first approved medication to treat symptoms that are not related to the central nervous system in patients with ASMD.” 

President Biden’s Tuesday: Cabinet meeting at 1:15 PM ET.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: With Washington heading back to work after the Labor Day recess, the White House is requesting a $47 billion in funding “to aid Ukraine, combat COVID-19 and monkeypox, offer relief for natural disasters,” reports POLITICO. The current budget expires September 30.