Biotechnology Industry Organization Congratulates Former Senator Tom Daschle On His Nomination To Serve As HHS Secretary

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 20 Nov 2008 - 5:00 PST

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The following statement was issued today by Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood following President-elect Barack Obama's nomination of former Senator Tom Daschle for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

"President-elect Obama has made a wise decision in nominating former Senator Tom Daschle as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Senator Daschle brings to the position an impressive and deep background of health care policy expertise. Throughout the presidential campaign and the political transition, Senator Daschle has served as a key advisor to Senator Obama. By nominating Senator Daschle, the President-elect has a made a strong statement that health care will indeed be a top priority within his administration.

"We are particularly encouraged by the nomination as Senator Daschle understands both the promise of and challenges facing biotechnology innovation. Biotechnology offers hope for patients suffering from the world's most debilitating diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis along with a host of rare and orphan diseases. When confirmed, Senator Daschle will have an historic opportunity to change our nation's debate over health care: By working together to create a policy environment conducive to continued biomedical innovation, we can help save and extend lives, reduce costs and expand access.

"More, Senator Daschle recognizes the exciting promise and opportunities provided by agricultural biotechnology to increase agricultural yields and farm income, decrease pesticide applications, improve soil and water quality and increase the supply of healthful food.

"We urge the Senate to move quickly to confirm Senator Daschle so that we can work together to combat disease, enhance our nation's health care system and expand agricultural sustainability. We also ask President-elect Obama to continue this positive momentum by naming his nominee to serve as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration as soon as possible to provide continuity and certainty within this important agency."

About BIO

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-Asia Partnering Conference 2009
January 19-20, 2009
Tokyo, Japan

BIO CEO & Investor Conference 2009
February 9-10, 2009
New York, New York

BIO-Europe Spring
March 16-18, 2009
Milan, Italy

BIO Windhover 2009
April 13-15, 2009
New York, New York

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

Biotechnology Industry Organization