Sens. Stabenow and Peters, and Rep. Upton Honored as BIO Innovators in Biotechnology

ANN ARBOR, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Michigan Biosciences Industry Association (MichBio) and
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) presented U.S. Senator Debbie
Stabenow, U.S. Senator Gary Peters and U.S. Representative Fred Upton
each with a BIO ‘Innovator in Biotechnology’ Award. The awards were
bestowed on Capitol Hill in conjunction with this week’s BIO Legislative
Day Fly-In.

“We salute them for introducing and supporting critically important
legislation and appreciate their consistent support over the years for
this industry that provides over 44,000 high-paying jobs in this state,"
said Stephen Rapundalo, PhD, MichBio President & CEO.

“From leadership by Rep. Upton in passing the ‘21st Century
Cures Act’, that ensure quicker patient access to new, life-changing
treatments, to Sen. Stabenow’s directing the enactment of a national,
uniform ‘Food Labeling Act’ that better informs consumers, and to Sen.
Peters’ for enabling the ‘American Innovation and Competitiveness Act’
to promote scientific research and innovation – these are just some of
the examples of their legislative and policy achievements that are
helping to grow the biosciences cluster in Michigan and nationally,”
Rapundalo added.

MichBio was joined by Harold Chase, Legislative Director, for Ann
Arbor-based NSF International, and Patrick Conley, Director, Healthcare
Policy and Advocacy for Michigan at Johnson & Johnson, in meetings with
all active Congressional offices in the Michigan delegation. Discussions
focused on issues critical to the biotechnology industry including
fighting the opioid crisis with innovative treatments, appropriate
reimbursement for vital therapies under Medicare Parts B and D,
transparency in the 340B Drug Discount program, support for the ‘Growing
American Food Exports Act’, reauthorization of the ‘Pandemic &
All-Hazards Preparedness Act’, support for the Farm Bill and biobased
product innovation, and reforming the patent system through the
‘STRONGER Patents Act’ to better promote innovation and target abuses.

Staff and members of the Michigan delegation, along with representatives
from MichBio’s member companies and partner organizations, attended the
Association’s first-ever Capitol Hill reception. The event recognized
the Michigan Congressional delegation for their continued support and to
celebrate MichBio’s 25th anniversary of driving biosciences industry
growth in the state.

In a related manner, MichBio will host its Michigan Biosciences Day at
the Capitol in Lansing, Michigan on Wednesday, April 25. The occasion
will allow representatives from MichBio member companies to discuss
industry issues with state legislators.

MichBio is the trade association committed to driving growth in
Michigan's biosciences industry and its many sectors, including
agri-biotech, food and nutrition, bio-based technologies and renewable
chemicals, industrial and environmental biotech, medical devices and
technologies, pharmaceuticals and consumer healthcare, diagnostics and
research products, testing and research services, and clinical research.
MichBio members include bioscience companies, academic and research
institutions, bioscience service providers, and related organizations.
For more information, visit www.michbio.org
or follow us on Twitter
@MichBio.

Photos of the award presentations are available upon request.

Contacts

MichBio
Kate Oesterle
[email protected]
734-527-9147