WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Biotechnology Industry
Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood today praised the U.S.
House of Representatives for unanimously passing the "Biodefense and
Pandemic Vaccine and Drug Development Act of 2006" (H.R. 5533) last night:
"By passing the 'BARDA' bill, the House has taken an important and
necessary step forward to improve national preparedness against biological,
chemical, radiological and nuclear events. I particularly appreciate the
leadership of Rep. Mike Rogers and Rep. Anna Eshoo for introducing this
very important bill.
"H.R. 5533 recognizes that our nation must do more to ensure the
development of medical countermeasures against bioterrorism and pandemic
diseases. Currently, many promising countermeasures are not making it
through the advance research and development necessary to bring products to
the point of eligibility for procurement by the landmark Project BioShield.
These products face serious obstacles in what we commonly refer to as the
'Valley of Death,' which refers to the period between early-stage research
and development.
"This legislation begins to bridge the 'Valley of Death' by creating a
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to
facilitate collaboration and promote innovation. Specifically, BARDA is
given funding and authority under the legislation to enter into contracts
to support advanced research and development and to support innovation.
"Additionally, H.R. 5533 contains many important procurement reforms,
such as milestone payments, the authority to enter into multiple
transactions for the procurement of multiple technologies, surge capacity
contracts, and establish a National Biodefense Science Board to bring
industry and government together to provide expert advice to the Secretary
on preparedness. These provisions, along with others included in H.R. 5533,
will better ensure effective countermeasure development.
"We now call on the Senate to move quickly to pass companion
legislation which contains important antitrust provisions. We stand ready
to work with all members of the Senate to ensure the United States is
prepared to respond to medical threats."
About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic
institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across
the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the
research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and
environmental biotechnology products. http://www.bio.org
SOURCE Biotechnology Industry Organization
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.bio.org/
CONTACT:
Jeff Joseph of Biotechnology Industry
Organization, +1-202-962-9230
|
