WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, its selection of Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) as Legislator of the Year for 2009-2010. Senator Menendez received the award as part of the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In.

“During Senator Menendez’s influential service on the Finance Committee, he has been a thoughtful and responsive champion of issues critical to the biotechnology community such as the Therapeutic Discovery Project Tax Credit. His leadership will help countless patients access advanced medical treatments, reduce long-term health costs in the United States, and help advance the goal of curing cancer,” BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood stated.

“Through his many years of service at the local, state and federal levels, Senator Menendez has understood the issues facing New Jersey and the nation. The great majority of the more than 250 biotech companies operating in New Jersey will be eligible to apply for the research credit, which in effect supports $1 billion in research directed at some of the nation’s most pressing medical issues. Long term, it will benefit patients and their families and ensure the continuance of many of our small companies in New Jersey and beyond,” said Debbie Hart, President of BioNJ.

More than 200 biotechnology industry representatives from 32 states participated in hundreds of meetings with Members of the House and Senate during the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In on April 14. Participants discussed issues critical to the biotechnology industry including patent reform, NIH/ FDA funding, drug importation risks, and expanded eligibility for Small Business Innovation Research grants.