Senator Menendez Honored as BIO Legislator of the Year

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) as Legislator of the Year for 2012-2013. Senator Menendez receives the award in conjunction with today’s BIO Legislative Day Fly-In reception.

“New Jersey is among the most bio-intensive regions in the United States. Senator Menendez has been an invaluable resource for the bioscience community within our state and the industry at large”

"Through his assignments on the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Menendez has continued to demonstrate leadership in addressing tax issues essential to the nation’s healthcare industry and the patients it serves," said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. "Senator Menendez has been a proponent of issues critical to our nation’s biotech industry, as exemplified through his sponsorship of the High Technology Small Business Research Incentives Act, which helps emerging companies find new sources of investment. Furthermore, his continued support and sponsorship of legislation to extend and improve the critical Therapeutic Discovery Project Tax Credit merits particular commendation."

"New Jersey is among the most bio-intensive regions in the United States. Senator Menendez has been an invaluable resource for the bioscience community within our state and the industry at large,” said Debbie Hart, President and CEO of BioNJ. "His leadership on numerous issues of importance to the industry and commitment to meeting with and understanding the needs of individual bioscience companies should serve as a model to all his colleagues in the Senate. On behalf of New Jersey's bioscience industry, we congratulate Senator Menendez on receiving this award. It is well deserved."

More than 200 biotechnology industry representatives from 43 states will participate in hundreds of meetings with Members of the House and Senate during the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In. Participants will discuss issues critical to the biotechnology industry including, adequate reimbursement for vital therapies under Medicare, FDA Funding, Tax Policy, and capital formation issues relevant to biotechnology companies.

Photos of the award presentation are available upon request.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 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. BIO produces BIOtechNOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling “innovations transforming our world.” Subscribe to BIOtechNOW.

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO IPCC Conference
March 25-27, 2013
San Diego, CA

BIO International Convention
April 22 – 25, 2013
Chicago, IL

World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology
June 16-19, 2013
Montreal, Canada