Biotechnology Industry Organization: Representative Kind honored as BIO legislator of the year

Contact: George Goodno

202-962-6660

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 1, 2009) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Representative Ron Kind (D – WI) as Legislator of the Year for 2008-2009.

“Congressman Kind has distinguished himself as a strong leader for policy that will help our nation’s biotechnology sector thrive and benefit people everywhere. By presenting this award, BIO recognizes Congressman Kind’s diligent support of legislation that would create a pathway for the development and approval of biologic medicines,” said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. “We also thank him for his efforts to ensure that comparative effectiveness research is done in a way that will determine the best clinical outcome.”

“Congressman Kind is an ardent supporter of biotechnology and has demonstrated his dedication through leadership on national policy and the important work done on the House Ways & Means Committee. He understands the benefits the industry provides in the form of economic stability and more high-paying jobs for the state of Wisconsin,” said Dr. Laura Strong, President of Quintessence Biosciences, located in Madison, WI. “On behalf of Wisconsin’s life sciences industry, we salute Congressman Kind’s efforts. He is a true friend of the bioscience community and the patients that we serve.”

During the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In, more than 250 biotechnology industry representatives from 36 states, including Pennsylvania, will participate in hundreds of meetings with key Members of the House and Senate. Participants will discuss issues critical to the biotechnology industry, including biosimilars, Food and Drug Administration appropriations, biofuels, and patent reform.

###

BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO National Venture Conference

March 31–April 1,2009

Boston, MA

BIO Windhover 2009

April 13-15, 2009

New York, NY

BIO-LES Business Development Basics Course

May 15–17, 2009

Atlanta, GA

BIO-LES Advanced Business Development Course

May 15–17, 2009

Atlanta, GA

BIO Executive Presentation Workshop

May 17, 2009

Atlanta, GA

BIO Human Resources Conference

May 17-19, 2009

Atlanta, GA

2009 BIO International Convention

May 18-21, 2009

Atlanta, GA

BioEquity Europe

June 9-10, 2009

Munich, Germany

World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing

July 19-22, 2009

Montreal, Quebec, Canada