Washington, D.C. (April 5, 2017) – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) as a 2017 Legislator of the Year. Congresswoman Sinema will receive the award in conjunction with BIO’s Legislative Day Fly-In.
“Arizona is home to some of the best innovators who work every day to create life-changing, life-saving technology,” said Congresswoman Sinema. “I am honored to earn BIO’s Legislator of the Year award and will continue working with Arizona’s bioscience industries to support innovation, create good jobs, and grow our economy.”
“Congresswoman Sinema has been a stalwart advocate for sound public policy that advances the jobs creating potential of America’s biotechnology industry. She has distinguished herself through leadership on critically important issues, including the JOBS Act and introduction of the Fostering Innovation Act,” said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. “Her commitment to support the needs of America’s innovative emerging companies, allows small life science companies the opportunity to focus on what matters – delivering life-saving and life-enhancing products – rather than on excessive reporting requirements.”
AZBio had the opportunity to share ideas with members of the Arizona Congressional Delegations meeting with 10 of Arizona’s 11 Congressional offices to discuss important issues ncluding innovation, tax reform and heallthcare. (Pictured L-R: Shannon Groppenbacher of J&J, Greg Garcia of Invoy Technologies LLC, and Joan Koerber-Walker of AZBio.)
“The life science industry in Arizona delivers an enormous economic impact and provides jobs, both directly and indirectly, to over 124,000 Arizonans. Congresswoman Sinema recognizes the tremendous economic and societal benefits this industry produces and has distinguished herself as a leader for national policy that ultimately benefits people everywhere. We thank the Congresswoman for her outstanding leadership in Arizona and throughout our country,” said Arizona BioIndustry Association President & CEO Joan Koerber-Walker.
More than 200 biotechnology industry representatives from over 40 states, representing hundreds of thousands of American workers, 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 drug development, discovery and delivery reforms, targeting abuses of the U.S. patent system while protecting innovation, providing adequate reimbursement for vital therapies under Medicare, FDA funding, tax policy, support for science-based GMO food labeling solutions and capital formation issues relevant to biotechnology companies.