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A busy week in Washington brought progress on Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PPRV) reauthorization and conversations on price controls. Plus, BIO names Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin Governor of the Year. (790 words, 3 minutes, 57 seconds) |
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Capitol Hill update: House committee advances PPRV reauthorization, Senate reviews IRA |
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During a busy week in Washington, a House committee advanced legislation to reauthorize the Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PPRV) program, and Senators highlighted negative consequences of price controls.
On PPRV: The House Energy & Commerce Committee passed a five-year reauthorization of the PPRV program by 43-0 on Sept. 18. The program expires Sept. 30, but Congress would extend the deadline until Dec. 20 under the temporary spending measure under discussion.
Why it matters: Companies that gain approval for rare pediatric disease drugs can receive a voucher granting expedited review of another drug in the future; the voucher can also be sold to another company to fund research. Since 2012, the program has provided 53 vouchers for 39 rare pediatric diseases, enabling innovations benefitting over 200,000 patients.
BIO calls for PPRV reauthorization and thanked House members who helped it through the committee: Michael McCaul (R-TX), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Nanette Barragan (D-CA), Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX), and Lori Trahan (D-MA).
More reading: Leslie Williams, President and CEO of HC Bioscience, explains the urgency of reauthorizing the PPRV program in the Boston Business Journal.
On IRA: During a Sept. 17 Senate Finance Committee hearing, Senators criticized price controls for discouraging investment and innovation in new drugs. Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) questioned the impact on small molecules, and Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) decried the impact on orphan drugs.
Why it matters: “As China supercharges its biopharmaceutical sector, the IRA waves a white flag, treating American job creators like adversaries,” Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID) said. “The implications for the therapeutic R&D pipeline are already apparent, with at least 21 drugs and 36 research programs discontinued since the law’s enactment.” Read more in Bio.News. |
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BIO names Virginia Gov. Youngkin as its Governor of the Year |
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Last week BIO presented Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin with the 2024 Governor of the Year Award, which has recognized bipartisan governors for leadership in strengthening biotechnology in their state since 2010.
“Investing in biotechnology is investing in Virginia’s future,” said Gov. Youngkin. “I look forward to further solidifying Virginia’s role as a leader in the life sciences industry.”
Why Gov. Youngkin: “From advancing innovative economic development initiatives for the bioscience ecosystem to investing in cutting-edge life science facilities across the state, Gov. Youngkin has worked tirelessly on public policy solutions to help expand opportunities for researchers, entrepreneurs, and patients in Virginia,” said BIO President and CEO John F. Crowley, who presented the award at the BioHealth Capital Region Forum in Rockville, MD.
What they’re saying in Virginia: "Virginia's $8 billion biotechnology industry is thriving because of the steadfast support of our governmental leaders and regional partnerships," said John Newby, CEO of the Virginia Biotechnology Association.
Read more in Bio.News. |
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What Else to Know This Week |
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FDA approves nasal spray flu vaccine for home use. BIO member AstraZeneca’s FluMist, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003, can now be self-administered at home. "For the first time, families and caregivers will be able to protect themselves against influenza with a needle-free, self-administered vaccine, from the convenience of their own home. Each year, influenza poses a significant burden for people, society and health systems; additional tools to increase access to vaccinations, while also reducing disparities, are critical,” said Ravi Jhaveri, M.D., Astra Zeneca’s Division Head, Infectious Disease.
What’s next for ag trade? John Torres, BIO’s Senior Director, Federal Government Relations – Agriculture and Environment, spoke to Bio.News about the need to eliminate unscientific barriers to trade as he begins his service on the USDA Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds, and Planting Seeds. Case in point: “Mexico’s egregious actions open the door for other trading partners across the world to do the same thing, to make non-science-based, non-rules-based decisions on trade as an excuse to engage in isolationist and protectionist trade activity,” he said. Read more in Bio.News. |
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Last week, in conjunction with the Corn Refiners Association and the Meat Institute, BIO sponsored a Food & Ag Trade Strategy Meeting, bringing stakeholders together to discuss long-term policy advocacy on trade. The goal was to get the ag community focused on addressing a number of trade-related issues. |
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Beltway Report: What's Ahead in Washington
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