The WBBA is the state’s leading advocate for advancing the life sciences in Washington state. Our team brings experience and knowledge to proactively address public policy affecting small, medium and large life science companies and research institutions at the local, state and federal level.
In the News
PDUFA Moves Through House Committees
This is an important week for the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA). On Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health met to discuss the user fee bills. On Thursday, the full Energy and Commerce Committee will convene at a markup session to consider changes to PDUFA. Join us in encouraging legislators not to add amendments that could hinder the swift reauthorization of PDUFA, which would interfere with the FDA's ability to review breakthrough new medicines in a timely manner.
Seattle City Council Waives B&O Tax for Life Sciences Research
Last week brought great news for Seattle's life sciences industry. On April 30, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed legislation that waives the business and occupation tax on government funded life sciences research. With the decision, Seattle reiterates its enthusiastic support for continued growth of the life sciences in Seattle. The Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association collaborated with the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Seattle Association, and the Washington Global Health Alliance to get CB 117438 passed.
We want to thank Mayor McGinn and his staff, Councilmember Tim Burgess, Council President Sally Clark, and Councilmember Richard Conlin for the key roles they played in coming together with the business community to clarify the issue and come to an agreeable solution. WBBA had numerous conversations with Councilmember Burgess and his staff where mutual education took place about the implications of the legislation and the impact on life sciences research in the city. In our view, the process was a model for the best of public discourse regarding public policy development.
White House Releases National Bioeconomy Blueprint
On April 26, the White House released its National Bioeconomy Blueprint yesterday, with two stated goals: "to lay out strategic objectives that will help realize the full potential of the U.S. bioeconomy and to highlight early achievements toward those objectives." The full .pdf report can be downloaded below.
Within the course of one week, WBBA staff and members met with Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Jim McDermott. Both roundtable meetings were hosted by WBBA members in Seattle. Below are photos from the meetings. We are grateful to Sen. Cantwell and Congressman McDermott for taking the time to hear the concerns of WBBA members and members of Washington's life sciences community.
Congressman Jim McDermott Roundtable at Zymogenetics
Sen. Maria Cantwell Roundtable at Amgen Headquarters
Chris Rivera Shares His Thoughts on "Inside Olympia"
WBBA President Chris Rivera appeared recently on the show Inside Olympia (broadcast on TVW) to discuss the life sciences industry, economic development, trade issues, and the overall health of Washington State's economy. Watch the interview below.
