Congressman Neal Honored as BIO Legislator of the Year

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

“Congressman Neal's sponsorship, along with Congressman Gerlach, of the High Technology Small Business Research Incentives Act would help emerging companies find new sources of investment. Furthermore, the Congressman's joint work on legislation to address the Vaccine Excise Tax merits particular commendation”

"Congressman Neal's sponsorship, along with Congressman Gerlach, of the High Technology Small Business Research Incentives Act would help emerging companies find new sources of investment. Furthermore, the Congressman's joint work on legislation to address the Vaccine Excise Tax merits particular commendation," said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood.

"Massachusetts is the most dense life sciences region in the United States, and Congressman Neal has been an invaluable resource for the bioscience community within Massachusetts and the industry at large," said MassBio President & CEO Robert K. Coughlin. "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 his colleagues around the country. On behalf of the Massachusetts' bioscience industry, we congratulate Representative Neal 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