Indeed, biotechnology has been an engine for growth for the country as a whole.  Al Gore emphasized the economic impact biotechnology has had during his keynote address to Convention attendees. Governor Granholm of Michigan echoed Vice President Gore’s comments and noted the impact for her state, “we have been working to grow Michigan’s life sciences sector as part of our strategy to diversify the state’s economy and create jobs.” Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, the 42^nd and 43^rd Presidents of the United States, shared the stage to discuss global issues and biotechnology applications.

Jim Greenwood President and CEO of BIO looks at genetically engineered pigs on the exhibit floor.

In addition to the economic value of biotechnology, the industry is providing health and medical, industrial and environmental, and agricultural improvements to communities all over the world on a daily basis. A new report released at Convention, “Healing, Fueling, Feeding: How Biotechnology is Enriching Your Life,” illustrated some of the positive ways biotechnology is making a difference around the world. For example, biotechnology is responsible for:

• More than 250 biotechnology healthcare products and vaccines available to patients;
• More than 50 biorefineries being built across North America to produce biofuels and chemicals from renewable biomass;
• More than 13.3 million farmers around the world use agricultural biotechnology to increase yields, prevent pest damage and reduce farming’s environmental impact.

U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin delivers keynote address at the Diversity Summit

Several other notable experts and leaders discussed the promise and potential of biotech throughout the four-day event. U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin, provided a keynote at the Diversity in Biotechnology Summit which highlighted the “growing racial disconnect between those who seek care and those who provide it,” adding that the imbalance is best offset through improved science education at an early age. CNN Moderator Fareed Zakaria shared his thoughts on the “vast numbers of people and countries [who] can actively participate in the world economy and the growth of the knowledge economy,” at a session highlighting the latest Worldview report.

2010 Biotech Humanitarian Award Honoree Bob Klein

Biotechnology has a tangible humanitarian impact on millions of people every day. This year we awarded our second annual Biotech Humanitarian Award to Bob Klein, a stem cell advocate who has stewarded a new era of stem cell research and discovery in California. Bob Klein’s vision and determination to create alternatives to federal funding for stem cell research helped make the state of California a global leader in disease research.

Officials cut the ribbon at the opening of the exhibit floor

In short, the global event for biotechnology was a huge success. There is more work to be done, more problems to address through biotechnology, and of course – preparing for the 2011 BIO International Convention in Washington, DC. For more information on the 2010 BIO International Convention, please visit  http://convention.bio.org/

Other highlights include:

• IP Watchdog’s Exclusive Interview with Jim Greenwood
• Biotech Nation’s Moira Gunn Speaks with Bob Klein, the Biotech Humanitarian of the Year, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, BIO Governor of the Year, Wisconsin Governor Jim Boyle, and  BIO’s president,  Jim Greenwood.
• Algae Oil at Convention Offers Promise as a Renewable Energy Fuel
• Heads of Chinese Biotech Industry at Convention

The 2010 Award will be presented at the 2010 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, June 27-30, 2009 in Washington, D.C. An accompanying George Washington Carver scholarship to Iowa State University will be awarded in the name of the recipient.

This Award honors the original vision of George Washington Carver who, over a century ago, achieved world renown by using agriculture and science to produce everyday products, changing the nature of farm economics and ushering in the era of modern industrial biotechnology. His efforts inspire contemporary biotechnology companies that are developing new methods to use renewable agricultural resources to manufacture fuels, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients, just as Carver did during the first half of the 20th century.

As Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section, noted, “science has developed in ways that Carver may never have imagined, but the work remains true to his goal – a sustainable agricultural economy that includes production of useful everyday products.”

The 2009 George Washington Carver Award honored DuPont Chairman of the Board Charles O. Holliday, Jr., who was recognized for his commitment to industrial biotechnology as a tool for sustainable business growth. During Holliday’s tenure as CEO, DuPont invested in biology-based businesses and infused them with its chemistry know-how. For instance, DuPont partnered with sugar processor Tate & Lyle to manufacture 1,3 propanediol, a polyester ingredient made by fermenting sugar. That venture led the company to think about applying its fermentation expertise to making renewable fuels and chemicals in a biorefinery.

The 2008 Honoree was Dr. Patrick Gruber, CEO, Gevo, Inc., who was recognized for his accomplishments in creating and commercializing a new plastic made from annually renewable resources.

The annual World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing is the original and only conference dedicated solely to industrial biotechnology and the most recent advancements in the field. To learn more about the conference please visit www.bio.org/worldcongress.

And remember to nominate an innovator in industrial biotechnology for this recognition.

We’re proud to say that the number of one-on-one meetings at the conference was up over 20 percent from the 2009 conference.  Many of the panels were well-received – and well-attended – featuring clinical investigators, key opinion leaders and companies with upcoming regulatory and clinical catalysts.  Gilead, Human Genome Sciences, Dendreon and Acorda were just some of the high quality companies that presented at the conference.

We expect to see similar activity and energy at the 2010 BIO International Convention taking place May 3-6 in Chicago, which will feature the BIO Business Forum.  During the 2009 forum, a record-setting 14,202 30-minute partnering meetings, involving more than 1,700 companies took place.  BIO expects the 2010 forum to continue to foster license, investments and company interactions.

Without a doubt, things still need to improve for biotech.  Overall investment is down, and times are tough for many companies.  Despite those obstacles, our scientists are continuing to push forward.  A number of companies with strong clinical results are helping to drive and bolster investor confidence.  We are hopeful that as the markets improve, investor confidence will continue to rise.  And soon patients and consumers will realize the benefits of the scientific breakthroughs coming our way.

But Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and some at the White House are taking a different tactic.   They are attacking a biosimilars provision  where a consensus and legislative solution has already been reached in the Senate and House, one that would encourage life-saving biomedical research while expanding access to powerful biologics, medicines that treat devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s, HIV/AIDS and cancer.  It also preserves existing U.S. jobs and maintains the biotechnology sector’s ability to create high-wage, high-value jobs.

This biosimilars provision happens to be one of the few provisions that is almost identical in both the House and Senate versions of the health care reform bill.  It also passed its relevant committees with strong bipartisan support.  In fact, Rep. Waxman’s own House Energy and Commerce Committee voted overwhelmingly in favor of the biosimilars provision.

It’s difficult to understand this approach to create discord where the “peaceful” middle ground has already been well established.  All while delaying the entire health care reform deliberation process. Via Biologic Drugs May Get Less Protection – Prescriptions Blog – NYTimes.com:

But it could throw another wrench into negotiations. At a time when Congressional leaders are trying to resolve differences in the House and Senate bills, the issue of biotech drugs is one aspect on which both bills agree.

The biosimilars provision is the result of a careful compromise overwhelmingly approved months ago in each Chamber.  The provision would, for the first time, give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to approve biosimilars, sometimes erroneously called “generic” biologics.  Under the provision, generic manufacturers would be required to wait 12 years before piggybacking on an innovator’s data for regulatory approval.

In addition to receiving support in both Chambers and by both parties, the biosimilars provision is supported by universities, patient groups, venture capitalists and economic development groups.  Via AP/washingtonpost.com:

On Thursday, 38 patients groups and research universities wrote a letter backing the 12-year period to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who are among the health bill negotiators. It said 12 years of protection would balance patients' access to the drugs with incentives for companies to develop more of them.

It’s time for Rep. Waxman and the White House to take on the tough issues that are weighing down the health care reform debate – not reopen one of the few issues that has long been resolved.

Last year, I was privileged to present the 2009 Biotech Humanitarian Award to Dr. Jay Keasling, CEO of the Joint BioEnergy Institute, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering at the University of California at Berkley and acting Deputy Director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.  Dr. Keasling received the inaugural Award for his breakthrough work in synthetic biology, that at commercial scale, will allow for lower cost access to first-line treatment for malaria, as well as significantly advance production of the next generation of biofuels.  BIO is honored to have Dr. Keasling join the 2010 Biotech Humanitarian Award judging panel.  See Dr. Keasling on The Colbert Report.

Dr. Jay Keasling, 2009 Biotech Humanitarian

BIO is accepting nominations for the 2010 Biotech Humanitarian Award through January 31, 2009.  I encourage you to visit www.iambiotech.org/award to nominate an individual who, through their work in or support of biotechnology, has begun to harness its potential to heal, fuel or feed the planet.

The Biotech Humanitarian Award and the $10,000 prize will be bestowed on the Honoree during the 2010 BIO International Convention in Chicago, Illinois, May 3-6, 2010.

• For the first time ever, a pathway to allow for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of biosimilars, sometimes inaccurately referred to as “biogenerics.” Patients with devastating diseases will have increased access to safe and effective life-saving advanced therapies and can take comfort in the knowledge that this bill will accelerate the biotechnology sector’s drive toward discovering new treatments, therapies and cures for diseases that have plagued us for years.
• Much-needed relief to investment-starved small biotechnology research companies by creating a therapeutic discovery project tax credit. This proposal supports small and emerging biotechnology companies by providing a tax credit to help offset a portion of resources spent on activities related to the development of new therapies, including hiring scientists and conducting clinical studies.
• Senator Arlen Specter’s (D-PA) Cures Acceleration Network (CAN). This program will help speed the development of next generation medicines, treatments and cures by providing federal grants to promising projects in the public, private, academic and research communities. This provision also will help expedite FDA review of highly innovative safe and effective treatments for patients.

These provisions will help increase access to medicines for sick patients and provide renewed hope for new therapies and cures. In addition, the bill will help create high-wage, high-value jobs in our nation’s burgeoning biotech sector and help maintain U.S. global leadership in innovation.

Response to the overall bill has been wide ranging, but I believe, through these provisions, the Senate has taken an important step toward realizing the critical broad goals of health care reform, namely reducing costs, expanding access and promoting continued medical breakthroughs that lead to new, improved and more efficient treatments for patients.

With this legislation, the Senate also has acknowledged the importance of innovation in health care that can lead to new therapies, vaccines and diagnostics, something that has and will continue to be central to an improved health care system.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Here’s more on regenerative medicine from a biotechnology company using embryonic stem cells to treat heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, liver disease, and cancer, as well as spinal cord injuries.

And here’s more on how stem cells work. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently approved the first 13 human embryonic stem cells lines for NIH-funded research (under the agency’s new guidelines adopted in July). Embryonic stem cells show great promise to treat and possibly even cure millions of patients in the U.S. and around the world who are suffering from cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, spinal cord injuries and other life-threatening diseases and disabilities.

To continue this proud tradition of innovation and move from the promise of research to the reality of breakthrough medicines and diagnostic tools, biotech companies need innovative scientists, patient investors, and a policy environment that encourages innovation.

Researching and developing new therapies is a long, expensive and risky process. On average, the development of a new drug costs $1.2 billion over the course of 10 to 15 years from the time research begins until it receives FDA approval to reach patients. This includes the cost of dead ends and failed drug candidates along the away — only five out of every 5,000 potential medicines tested ever reaches the stage of clinical trials.

The vast majority of biotech companies are small start-ups or emerging companies still developing their first product, and they depend on investor capital and other financing sources to fund their R&D efforts. The current economic environment has hit such early stage companies particularly hard.  If biotech companies are forced to halt or delay promising projects for lack of funding, we all risk losing the benefits of significant medical advancements that can save and improve lives, help create high-wage, “innovation economy” jobs, and sustain our country’s position as the global leader in biotech innovation.

Despite the current economic challenges, the long-term prospects for biotech remain strong.  Our companies continue to innovate at a breathtaking pace developing “miracle medicines” that are providing hope where there once was none and new tools to allow for more personalized and efficient care.

We know how to innovate.  We know how to succeed.  We know that biotech innovation has always been a high-risk enterprise and always will be.  But we can improve the odds.  Even with the best scientists practicing the most cutting-edge science in the best run businesses, it is more important than ever for us to make sure that policy makers around the world make policy that values and incentivizes innovation. Congress can increase investor confidence by completing its work on health care reform and adopting an approach that lowers costs and increases access to quality health care while preserving incentives for innovation.

These policy prescriptions can help ensure the continued development of biologic medicines, treatments and, some day, cures.  Millions of people are waiting.  Some are waiting for a new treatment.  Some are waiting for a cure.  Biotech provides the best chance we have to end the waiting and deliver on the promise of medical biotechnology.