The Biotechnology Industry Organization Applauds Obama Administration

[impik]

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) praised the Obama Administration for its new guidance, released today, that will lead to many small biotechnology companies receiving needed funding to support critical on-going research and development programs. The guidance document initiates the Therapeutic Discovery Project Program (TDPP), which was created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Obama on March 23. The program will provide tax credits and grants to small biotechnology firms that show significant potential to produce breakthrough medical therapies, support good jobs and increase U.S. competitiveness/

"This program brings a much-needed shot in the arm to small life science companies for whom the capital markets have been frozen. It allows research-intensive small businesses to continue cutting-edge projects to develop advanced medicines and, ultimately, cures to help patients suffering from the world's most debilitating diseases.


http://www.bioresearchonline.com/article.mvc/BIO-Applauds-Obama-Administrations-Guidance-0001?atc~c=771+s=773+r=001+l=a&VNETCOOKIE=NO

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. Science is making a comeback. YAY! But why hasn't this president

hurled himself into the mouth of The Gulf of Mexico, and plugged up that hole? It would make for awesome teevee, and he'd actually look like he's doing something, cause the folks on the internet & the teevee told me he ain't doing nothing.

<Do I really need the sarcasm thingie?>

[Cha]

2. lol..they're cryin' for a photo op

when Pres Obama is actually doing something about it behind the scenes.

[lostnfound]

3. Are you cheering on science, or a pharmaceutical & agribusiness industry lobby group?

Just wondering if we know exactly what the impact of the "Biotechnology Industry Organization" really is..

[mzteris]

4. here ya go:

BIO is the world's largest biotechnology organization, providing advocacy, business development and communications services for more than 1,200 members worldwide. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. Corporate members range from entrepreneurial companies developing a first product to Fortune 500 multinationals. We also represent state and regional biotech associations, service providers to the industry, and academic centers. The mission of BIO is to be the champion of biotechnology and the advocate for its member organizations - both large and small.

Brief History
BIO was created in 1993 through the merger of the Association of Biotechnology Companies and the Industrial Biotechnology Association. The goal was for the entire industry, from young startups to established companies, to speak with one voice for the industry on important policy issues.

Since BIO was formed, we have made progress on many fronts. For example we have:

* Ensured that reforms to Sarbanes-Oxley led to reduced burdens of compliance, taking into account biotech companies' size and risk
* Led efforts that have resulted in the establishment of bioscience economy development initiatives in virtually every state and territory
* Successfully advocated for aggressive, but realistic, targets for biofuels production, including key incentives for continued development of biotech-based fuels
* Advocated for biotech crops. Since their introduction in 1996, biotech crops have increased productivity and global farm income by $44.1 billion
* Advanced finalization of the FDA risk assessment on the safety of livestock cloning
* Achieved timely enactment of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) legislation consistent with BIO's principles
* Successfully advocated for Farm Bill policy options that will now accelerate the commercialization of next generation biofuels and biobased products
* Successfully advocated for the enactment of FDA reform in the 1997 Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act

http://bio.org/

[lostnfound]

5. Sounds like an industry lobby group, and I don't think Vandana Shiva would approve.

Everybody knows how anti-science she is, having been a physicist and everything.