As presidential candidates trek across the Hawkeye State and campaign on addressing society’s most pressing challenges, biotech innovators wrapped up four days of showcasing the scientific solutions to climate change, hunger, pollution and energy security.

BIO’s President and CEO Jim Greenwood issued the following statement after it was reported that the Trump administration is withdrawing its proposed rebate rule that would have required savings from drugmakers' rebates be passed along to seniors enrolled in the Medicare drug benefit program.

Strong patent rights are essential to finance the revolution in biotechnology discoveries from the lab to the patient, farmer, and consumer

Washington, D.C. (July 5, 2019) – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) released the following statement on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes for 2020. “EPA’s proposal to maintain the volumes of conventional biofuels as well as slightly increase advanced and cellulosic biofuel volumes signals potential growth for the industry but does nothing to address the lost gallons from refinery exemptions. This increase will only exist on paper if the agency does not end its practice of granting unjustified RFS waivers,” said Stephanie Batchelor, vice president of BIO’s industrial & environmental section. “To move our nation closer to securing a renewable fuel future and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, EPA must cease such exemptions while efficiently approving pending pathways and registrations for innovative biofuels and production facilities. BIO looks forward to commenting on the proposal and will continue to engage with EPA to advance policies that enable U.S. biofuels producers to access the market and develop sustainable solutions to our energy challenges.” ###

Washington, D.C. (July 2, 2019) – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) announced today that Stephanie Batchelor has been named BIO’s vice president for its industrial & environmental (I&E) section.

Washington, DC – (July 1, 2019) – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today announced winners of the Start-up Stadium competition held last month at the BIO International Convention in Philadelphia. During five sessions over three days, live presentations of 50 finalists were evaluated by expert judges with entrepreneurial, investment, start-up, economic development, capital formation, and academic backgrounds from both the public and private sectors. One winner was chosen for each session. From 13 countries and 24 US states, competitors were judged on the strength of their commercially viable cutting-edge technologies and therapeutic solutions. The winners are: EndObetes (New York) Session 1 MNI, Inc. (Pennsylvania) Session 2 ClostraBio, Inc. (Illinois) Session 3 ChromaTan Corp. (Pennsylvania) Session 4 Kaydence Pharma (Norway) Session 5 “The benefits of participating in the Start-up Stadium competition go beyond winning a contest,” said Nareg Sagherian, BIO’s Director of Investor Relations & Programming. “According to our surveys, even the companies that don’t win have been approached by investors who were either judges or audience participants listening to their presentation. These are opportunities that participating companies may not have had otherwise, and we are pleased with the enormous success of this interactive experience.” Winning companies receive a one-year membership in BIO, a one-hour advisory discussion with two venture capital firms (Hemi Ventures and Wells Fargo Strategic Capital) and will be fast-tracked into the final selection phase for up to a $75,000 convertible note as part of the Delaware Innovation Space’s First Fund program. A full list of 2019 participants and judges can be found here.

NEW YORK – June 25, 2019 – Executive Women in Bio (EWIB), a committee comprised of senior leaders in the life sciences and biopharma operating within the national non-profit organization, Women In Bio (WIB), is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). Through this partnership, senior women executives who complete EWIB’s Boardroom Ready program can elect to be listed on BIO Boardlist, a searchable directory of eligible executives in which members can recommend peers and companies can find board candidates that best fit their business needs. With less than 15 percent of life science company board positions filled by women, increasing equity in consideration for these leadership positions will take a change in thinking across the industry. Motivated by both the moral obligation to give all eligible candidates equal opportunity to advance up the corporate ladder, as well as the growing body of research indicating that diverse boards tend to generate returns above the industry average, EWIB and BIO have developed programs and taken steps to counteract women’s underrepresentation on executive boards. “Executive Women In Bio established the Boardroom Ready program to help experienced female leadership overcome the hurdles to obtaining a corporate board seat,” said Carolyn Brougham, executive liaison at WIB. ”Adding the program alumnae to the BIO Boardlist furthers the mission of EWIB and Boardroom Ready by expanding the resources, network, and opportunities available for these outstanding life science executives.” Each year, EWIB’s Boardroom Ready program selects 20 top biotech and pharmaceutical executive women to participate in an intensive board competency-building curriculum to refine each candidate’s understanding of the responsibilities related to serving on both public and private boards. A key benefit of this program is leveraging the extensive network of WIB, experienced board mentors, and supporters…

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today thanked Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Representatives Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) and Ron Estes (R-Kan.) for introducing the Financing Our Energy Future Act.