California Congresswoman Named Biotech Champion

WASHINGTON, D.C. The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) presented Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) the award for Legislator of the Year in her Washington, D.C. office on July 31.

Congresswoman Eshoo is from California’s 14th district, where she represents Silicon Valley, the most biotech intensive Congressional district in the United States. She is applauded for understanding the needs of individual biotechnology companies in her home state as well as her leadership in the industry as a whole.

"Representative Eshoo is a long-time champion of the biotechnology industry. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, she recently introduced the Pathway for Biosimilars Act. This legislation will create a crucial regulatory pathway for FDA approval of follow-on biologic medicines, while protecting patient safety and fostering continued innovation," said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood.

She led the House Democrats in putting together “The Innovation Agenda: A Commitment to Keep America #1,” a comprehensive policy agenda to ensure America remains competitive and continues to lead the world in innovation. Eshoo has held public office since 1993 and is up for re-election in November.

"Congresswoman Eshoo is an ardent supporter of biotechnology and has demonstrated her dedication through leadership on national policy. She understands the benefits the industry provides in the form of economic stability and more high-paying jobs for the state of California," said David Gollaher, Ph.D., President and CEO of the California Healthcare Institute.

BIO represents more than 1,200 biotech companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations nationwide and in more than 30 countries. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.