Washington, D.C. (April 13, 2016) – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA) as a Legislator of the Year for 2016. Representative Peters receives the award in conjunction with today’s BIO Legislative Day Fly-In.
“San Diego’s world-class biotechnology and life science sectors spur economic growth and are central to creating and supporting high quality jobs across our region. It is an honor to receive this award from an organization that represents so many innovators and entrepreneurs who are developing life-saving treatments and devices. I am also grateful to BIO staff and members for the education, backup, and support they have given me. The education they provide to legislators helps us become better, smarter advocates for jobs, economic growth, and cutting-edge therapies and research,” said Peters.
“Representative Peters has distinguished himself as a leading champion for stable and predictable patent policies that enable robust life science innovation,” said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. “As a strong advocate for the Navy’s use of advanced biofuels and Farm Bill energy programs, Representative Peters is also a leader in supporting growth in the 21st Century bio-based economy, which is creating jobs in San Diego and around the country.”
"The life sciences industry in California generates more than $100 billion in total revenue and provides jobs for over 260,000 people. Congressman Peters has been an invaluable resource for the biotechnology community – both in California’s 52nd District and the nation at large,” added Greenwood. "On behalf of Biocom, the California Life Sciences Association and the Southern California Biomedical Council, we thank him for his outstanding leadership and dedication to supporting the innovative capacity and job-creating potential of American life science companies."
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.