The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (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. Our members are working every day to solve the greatest challenges facing society – whether it is finding a cure for cancer, protecting the public against bio-terror threats, feeding hungry people nutritious food, or generating renewable fuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products. We support public policies, including government funding for key agencies and programs that unleash our members’ scientific innovation potential and grow the bioeconomy. BIO also is one of the founding members of the Agriculture Energy (Ag Energy) Coalition, a coalition of trade groups, companies, and organizations representing thousands of farmers and businesses across the United States who are developing an “all-of-the-above” approach to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and farm and forest resources.

What an honor it is to speak to you today on behalf of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) about the Biosimilars User Fee Act reauthorization. This Committee planted the seed that has grown into multiple user fee programs that provide FDA with a significant portion of the resources it needs to ensure that patients have timely access to safe and effective new drugs and biologics, generic drugs, biosimilars, and medical devices. This Committee also tilled the ground and successfully produced, with an overwhelming bipartisan House vote, the legislation that established an FDA pathway for the approval of biosimilars – the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA). BIO was an early and strong supporter of this legislation to create a facilitated and balanced pathway for greater competition in the biologics marketplace.

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) thanks the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the opportunity to submit comments on the “Guideline on strategies to identify and mitigate risks for first-in-human and early clinical trials with investigational medicinal products.” 

Patrick Plues, BIO’s Vice President, State Government Affairs, testified before the Maryland House in opposition to House Bill 666, which would require biopharmaceutical manufacturers to disclose specific information on cost inputs for specific drugs and to provide 60-day prior notice of any anticipated price increase for products priced over a certain threshold.