John F. Crowley, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), today released the following statement ahead of an expected vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on a year-end government funding bill that includes many urgent and bipartisan health care and agricultural priorities and programs: “Congress now has a pivotal opportunity to pass reforms and to authorize funding for programs that will make a meaningful difference to advance the health and well-being of the American people. This bipartisan health care agreement advances policies that will also strengthen American competitiveness in biotechnology, improve our response to future pandemics and help to make life-saving medicines more affordable. “The agreement includes bipartisan reforms that will bring more transparency to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), middlemen who add wasteful costs to the healthcare system. Advancing these PBM reforms will begin to break the pernicious link between the fees that PBMs charge and the cost of medicines. Now is the time to take these important steps toward improving access to prescription medicines for patients, employers and taxpayers. “The legislation further renews a vitally important law that has helped our nation prepare and respond to public health emergencies.  It also extends the Pediatric Priority Review Voucher (PPRV) program until September 2029.  This program is a market-based mechanism that has incentivized the development of dozens of new treatments for patients with the most rare and devastating pediatric diseases. I’d like to offer a special thank you to the countless patient advocates who worked with us and others to ensure that the PPRV program was reauthorized.“Additionally, the extension of the farm bill provides critical support to American farmers, ranchers and innovators, and enables continued research, development and sustainability of our nation’s food and renewable fuel supply.“We urge lawmakers…

Today, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) named Sarah Alspach as its new executive vice president and chief communications officer. Alspach, a communications veteran, will join BIO’s senior leadership team. Her first day will be December 9.“Sarah brings remarkable passion, experience, relationships and creative insights to this important role here at BIO,” said BIO President & CEO John F. Crowley. “She has led some of the very best story-telling and communications campaigns in our industry that describe the power of biotechnology to transform lives. Her appointment further strengthens BIO’s commitment to the virtuous circle of biotech-driven innovation, our efforts to support and collaborate with the patient community, and our work to help bring to market solutions to improve human health and our environment. We are excited to welcome Sarah to our team.”Alspach joins BIO from Massachusetts-based bluebird bio, one of the world's leading gene therapy companies. While at bluebird, Sarah oversaw external affairs – including corporate communications, government affairs and patient advocacy – for the FDA approval and launch of three gene therapies, including a first-of-its-kind therapy for sickle cell disease. Prior to bluebird, Alspach served as chief communications officer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She also led integrated communications initiatives at GSK for over 10 years."Every day, biotech firms persevere in the face of incredible odds, guided by their mission to overcome devastating and intractable illnesses, answer our greatest environmental challenges, and strengthen and protect the communities where we live and work,” said Alspach. “I'm thrilled to join the talented team at BIO to tell these stories, to connect the experiences of patients and families with policy leaders in Congress, state capitals, and around the world, and to help researchers and innovators everywhere improve the lives of all those they aim to serve."Alspach will…