Biotechnology Innovation Organization
NicknameBIO
PurposeLobbying
Key people
Rachel King (Acting CEO, October 2022))
Websitehttps://www.bio.org/
Formerly called
Biotechnology Industry Organization

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) is the largest advocacy association in the world representing the biotechnology industry.[1][2][3]

It was founded in 1993 as the Biotechnology Industry Organization from a merger of the Industrial Biotechnology Association (IBA) and the Association of Biotechnology Companies (ABC),[4] and changed its name to the Biotechnology Innovation Organization on January 4, 2016.[5][6] Biotechnology Innovation Organization serves more than 1,100 biotechnology firms, research schools, state biotechnology centers and related associations in the United States and in more than 30 other countries.[7]

Activities

Annual conference

BIO holds its annual international conference each year in the United States. This conference provides networking, business development and partnering activities that are essential to the biotechnology industry, in which developing products take considerable time and resources and regulatory risks are high.[8] In 2021, BIO shifted its in-person meetings to virtual, due to restrictions and difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. [9]

Lobbying

In 2018, BIO spent $9.87 million on lobbying the government of the United States.[10] Past issues that BIO has lobbied on included the amending the Internal Revenue Code to provide an exception from the passive loss rules for investments in high-technology research small business pass-through entities, to include vaccines against seasonal influenza within the definition of taxable vaccines, and to extend, expand, and improve the qualifying therapeutic discovery project program that first became law in 2010.[11][12]

Examples of its public lobbying efforts, include support for development of biofuels such as those produced from algae,[13] genetically modified crops,[14] strong intellectual property rights,[15] and for a more efficient and predictable regulatory process for new food and drug products.[16]

Alliances

In June 2013 BIO partnered with the Coalition of Small Business Innovators to lobby the U.S. government to modernize the U.S. tax code "to recognize and promote small business innovation as fundamental to the long-term growth of the U.S. economy".[17][18]

It is a member of The Alliance to Feed the Future, an umbrella network, the mission of which is to "raise awareness and improve understanding of the benefits & necessity of modern food production and technology in order to meet global demand".[19][20]

Industry initiatives

The "Right Mix Matters" campaign launched in 2019 targets diversity within biopharmaceutical company leadership, including ongoing assessment of diversity measures (gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation) and the provision of online tools aimed at assisting companies to achieve target diversity goals.[6]

Jim Greenwood
John Crowley was announced as BIO's CEO in 2023.

Organization

Members

BIOs members include companies that make pharmaceutical drugs, biofuels, industrial enzymes, and genetically modified crops, as well as healthcare facilities that participate in clinical trials and biopharmaceutical research.[21] As of 2016, it represents 1,100 biotech companies in all 50 U.S. states, which employ 1.61 million Americans and support an additional 3.4 million jobs.[17]

Leadership

BIO was founded in 1993 in Washington, D.C., and Carl B. Feldbaum was the president from BIO's founding until he retired in 2004.[22] He was succeeded by James C. Greenwood who held the offices of president and CEO from 2005 to 2020.

The association has a 120-member board, consisting of a diverse mix of company executives based upon size, geography, and pharmaceutical focus. The board’s executive committee consists of 21 members, purposefully designed to ensure a representative voice for the smaller companies among BIO’s membership.[23]

After Congressman Greenwood's 15 years of service, the BIO board announced scientist and former FDA regulator Michelle McMurry-Heath would become president and CEO as of 1 June 2020.[24] McMurry-Heath was placed on leave sometime prior to October 6, 2022, reportedly as a result of disagreements with a small but influential group of board members who wanted the organization to use its clout to advance social issues not directly connected to its industry interests.[23] Additionally, questions had been raised by some board members about her performance and management style.[23][25] Heath resigned effective October 11, 2022, with GlycoMimetics co-founder and former CEO Rachel King tapped to serve as interim CEO of the organization.[25] In 2023, John Crowley, Executive Chairman of Amicus Therapeutics, was announced as BIO's next CEO. Crowley has a background in rare diseases and is credited with working on a drug to save his children's and all individuals with Pompe disease's hearts. His work was the subject of the movie Extraordinary Measures which starred Brendan Fraser and Harrison Ford.[26]

Biotechnology Heritage Award

The Biotechnology Heritage Award, presented annually at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) Annual International Convention by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and the Science History Institute (formerly the Chemical Heritage Foundation), recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of biotechnology through discovery, innovation, and public understanding.[27]

References

  1. ↑ Anna Edney, "Biosciences Defy U.S. Jobs Slump as Research Labs Hire", Bloomberg News, June 19, 2012.
  2. ↑ European Biotechnology Network. "List of European and International Biotech Industry Associations" Archived 2019-01-29 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ "GEN's 30th Anniversary: Biotech Trade Associations", Genetic Engineering News, June 15, 2011.
  4. ↑ "BIO: Making History". Biotechnology Innovation Organization. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  5. ↑ "Biotechnology Innovation Organization changes name to Biotechnology Innovation Organization" (Press release). BusinessWire. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  6. 1 2 Wright, Rob (1 July 2019). "Increasing Diversity Among Leadership And Boards". Life Science Leader. VertMarkets.
  7. ↑ "About BIO". diapharma. June 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  8. ↑ Robert Weisman, "Biopharmaceutical industry faces a shift in dynamics", Boston Globe, April 23, 2013.
  9. ↑ "BIO lays off staff to adapt to another year of virtual events". FierceBiotech. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  10. ↑ OpenSecrets "Lobbying: Biotechnology Innovation Organization", Page Accessed January 2, 2020
  11. ↑ OpenSecrets "Bills lobbied", Page Accessed June 7, 2013
  12. ↑ Drew Armstrong, "Promising' Biotechnology Medicines May Earn $5 Million U.S. Tax Credit", Bloomberg News, May 21, 2010.
  13. ↑ Kambiz Foroohar for Bloomberg News. June 3, 2010. Exxon $600 Million Algae Investment Makes Khosla See Pipe Dream
  14. ↑ Elaine Watson, "It's not too late to change the conversation on GMOs: Interview with Cathy Enright, Executive VP for Food and Biotechnology, BIO", Food Navigator, May 20, 2013.
  15. ↑ Victoria Slind-Flor, "LG, DuPont, Bank of America, GM: Intellectual Property", Bloomberg News, December 3, 2012.
  16. ↑ Robert Weisman, "Federal drug review nettles biotech industry", Boston Globe, June 19, 2012.
  17. 1 2 "Biotechnology Innovation Organization Joins Coalition of Small Business Innovators" Archived 2014-11-04 at the Wayback Machine, BIO Press Release, June 4, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Coalition of Small Business Innovators Official Website". Archived from the original on 2017-09-30. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  19. ↑ Alliance to Feed the Future Official Website Archived May 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  20. ↑ PR Web. Monday, March 18, 2013 "Alliance to Feed the Future Congratulates Our Farmers, Supports Education for Future Generations on National Agriculture Day"
  21. ↑ "BIO profile at Biospace". Archived from the original on 2017-10-13. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  22. ↑ "BIO President Carl Feldbaum to Retire at Year End" (Press release). Biotechnology Innovation Organization. 2 February 2004. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  23. 1 2 3 Megan Wilson (October 28, 2022). "No win situation: Pharma CEO steps down after clashing with board members". Politico.
  24. ↑ "BIO Appoints a Physician-Scientist as New President and CEO". BusinessWire. May 14, 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  25. 1 2 Hopkins, Jared S (October 10, 2022). "BIO Chief Executive Michelle McMurry-Heath Exits After Clashes With Board". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  26. ↑ Journal, Betsy McKay | Photographs by Clark Hodgin for The Wall Street (2023-12-05). "WSJ News Exclusive | He Designed Drugs to Save His Children. Now He's Working to Save Biotech, Too". WSJ. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  27. ↑ "Biotechnology Heritage Award". Science History Institute. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
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