Industry News and Notes

Industry News and Notes – July 2011

Published in Biolines July 2011

Trenton Report

NJEDA CEO Interview with 1450 WCTC-AM on Available Financing for New Jersey Small Businesses

TRENTON — New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) Caren Franzini spoke with 1450 WCTC-AM on May 31 about how small businesses in New Jersey can benefit from the Main Street Business Assistance Program.

Please CLICK HERE to listen to the ten-minute interview.

Washington Report

BIO Praises House Passage of Patent Reform Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC — Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood released the following statement on June 23 following the passage of The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, H.R. 1249, by the House of Representatives:

“Small biotechnology companies rely heavily on their patents to attract investment to fund the lengthy and expensive research and development process necessary to bring breakthrough medical therapies and other products to patients and consumers. Strong intellectual property protection is critical for these companies.

“The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act will bring our patent system into the 21st century. The improvements made by the bill will benefit all sectors of the national economy by enhancing patent quality and the efficiency, objectivity, predictability and transparency of the U.S. patent system.

“BIO commends Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) for shepherding The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act through the House. By modernizing and strengthening America’s patent system, this legislation will continue our nation’s global leadership in innovation while driving job growth throughout our economy.

“BIO will continue to work with House and Senate leaders to ensure that final patent reform legislation addresses any remaining concerns and is enacted into law this year.”

BIO Unveils Strategic Initiative to Speed Scientific Breakthroughs, Develop Cures and Grow the Bio-Economy

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) on June 29 released a summary of legislative proposals to reform the investment and regulatory environment for biotech innovation. These proposals are designed to unleash the innovation required to cure disease and make the U.S. healthcare system more affordable, efficient, and of higher quality, as well as to foster the development of breakthrough technologies to provide alternative energy sources, combat hunger and protect against bio-terrorism. The policy proposals, released at a press briefing at the 2011 BIO International Convention, will serve as the organization’s targeted advocacy plan in these two areas.

Please CLICK HERE to read the press release. Please CLICK HERE to read the brochure.

Majority of American Voters Believe the Federal Government Should Support Biotechnology Industry

WASHINGTON, DC — A new national survey of 800 American voters by the Biotechnology Industry Organization – and conducted by the bipartisan pairing of Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research Associates – has found that during the current economic slowdown, while the nation’s leaders are making hard choices about our national economic policies, a majority (53 percent) of voters believe the federal government should support the biotechnology industry through either tax policies or direct funding.

“These numbers are a testament to the life-saving scientific research being conducted by biotechnology industry. Every day biotech researchers are working to cure deadly diseases, find cleaner alternative fuels, protect us against the threats of bioterrorism and feed a hungry world. It is reassuring to know that our hard work lines up shoulder-to-shoulder with the priorities of the American people,” said BIO CEO Jim Greenwood in a June 30 press release.

Please CLICK HERE to learn more.

BIO Elects New Chairman of the Board

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO )on June 28 announced the election of H. Thomas Watkins, President & CEO of Human Genome Sciences, Inc., as its new Chairman of the Board for the 2011-2012 term. BIO also is pleased to announce the election of 18 Directors on its Board to serve on BIO’s Executive Committee for the new term, as well as the election of 23 new members to its Board of Directors, voted upon at this year’s 2011 BIO International Convention.

Please CLICK HERE to learn more.

Items of Note

Congratulations to Covance Board Chairman and CEO Joe Herring who was recognized Master Entrepreneur in New Jersey for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Program.

Senesco Technologies President and CEO Dr. Leslie Brown and Chief Scientific Officer, Professor John Thompson, were recognized as finalists in the Pharmaceutical and Medical Technology Category.

Biotechnology Companies in the News

Editor’s Note: The home page of the BioNJ Web site provides an up-to-the-minute headline service where readers can access press releases issued by New Jersey-based biotechnology companies. Go to the “New Jersey Biotechnology Company News” section on the BioNJ home page (www.BioNJ.org) to read the latest news. Companies wishing to appear in the Biolines Biotechnology Companies in the News section are encouraged to send their news releases to BioNJ via e-mail at BioNJ@BioNJ.org.