BIO Applauds House Passage of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018

Washington, DC (September 25, 2018) – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today applauds the House of Representatives for passing the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018 (H.R. 6378). The legislation would re-authorize critical federal biodefense programs and agencies, including the BioShield Special Reserve Fund (SRF), the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).

The following statement may be attributed to BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood:

“Over the past 15 years, federal biodefense programs have spurred the creation of dozens of medical countermeasures by the biotechnology industry, greatly improving our nation’s preparedness to respond to the many known and unknown chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats (CBRN) facing our nation,” said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. “Yet with each passing week, the number and scale of these threats continues to grow – whether from rogue regimes, terrorist groups, emerging infectious diseases, or pandemics."

“This legislation will provide much needed flexibility and predictability for government agencies and their private sector partners, by authorizing increased, multi-year funding for the BioShield Special Reserve Fund and by empowering BARDA to better address CBRN threat agents, pandemic influenza, emerging infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. Advance investments in preparedness and medical countermeasure development will enhance our response efforts, save lives, and be more cost effective in an emergency.”

“I applaud Congresswomen Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), along with House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ), for their bipartisan leadership in advancing this vital legislation.”