Category Archives: Blogs

AZBio Blogs

BIO Unveils Strategic Initiative to Speed Scientific Breakthroughs, Develop Cures and Grow the Bio-Economy

Posted on by

BIO2011 in Washington DC“Unleashing the Promise of Biotechnology: Advancing American Innovation to Cure Disease and Save Lives” Provides Roadmap for Transformative Policy Changes

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Wednesday, June 29, 2011) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) released today a summary of legislative proposals to reform the investment and regulatory environment for biotech innovation. These proposals are designed to unleash the innovation required to cure disease and make the U.S. healthcare system more affordable, efficient, and of higher quality, as well as to foster the development of breakthrough technologies to provide alternative energy sources, combat hunger and protect against bio-terrorism. The policy proposals, released at a press briefing at the 2011 BIO International Convention held here this week, will serve as the organization’s targeted advocacy plan in these two areas.

Continue reading→

Washington Watch: the debt ceiling and deficit debate in DC

Posted on by

Clouds over the Capitol. Photo by Erin Donahue c. AZBioThere has been a lot of talk about budgets and debt ceilings in Washington this week. The negotiations – now taking place between the President and Congressional leaders are fluid, closely held, and difficult to predict. It does not take a PhD to know that Medicare and Medicaid cuts are on the table.

At AZBIO we stay in close communication with our partners at BIO, PhRMA, and AdvaMed so that we can share the latest news with our members.Continue reading→

BIO Praises House Passage of Patent Reform Legislation

Posted on by

Press Release from BIO:  The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act will benefit all sectors of U.S. economy

congressWashington, D.C. (June 23, 2011) – Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood released the following statement on the passage of The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, H.R. 1249, by the House of Representatives:
“Small biotechnology companies rely heavily on their patents to attract investment to fund the lengthy and expensive research and development process necessary to bring breakthrough medical therapies and other products to patients and consumers. Strong intellectual property protection is critical for these companies.

“The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act will bring our patent system into the 21st century. The improvements made by the bill will benefit all sectors of the national economy by enhancing patent quality and the efficiency, objectivity, predictability and transparency of the U.S. patent system.

Continue reading→

AdvaMed 2011 Issues Call for Company Presentations

Posted on by

Innovative medical technology companies in all stages of development are eligible to apply to make a 9-minute business development presentation during AdvaMed 2011: The MedTech Conference. The conference will take place in Washington D.C., at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, September 26-28, and the deadline to apply to present to strategic partners, venture capital firms and angel investors is July 11.Continue reading→

Looking Back and Looking Forward

Posted on by

During his 5-year tenure leading at the University of Arizona, President Robert Shelton created both an impressive tenure and laid the foundation for a  lasting legacy.  Shelton will depart the UA at the end of next month, having served five years as the institution’s 19th president. He will become executive director of the Fiesta Bowl, beginning August 1, 2011.   Read more here.

Thank you President Shelton for your  commitment to the U of A, to our bioscience  community and to our state.Continue reading→

First Things First

Posted on by

In an industry like ours, doing things in the right order matters.  It does not matter of you are working in the lab, biz dev or the front office.  When you forget to put first things first you might not get the outcome you expect…or need.

At AZBio we have been investing our time in research.  For us that means getting out of the office and into the  community to talk to Members, create opportunities to connect and to listen to what they have to say.  Whether we are are in one-on-one visits to Members and their companies, meetings at the GPEC, The Desert Angels or BCLSA or hanging out with the AZBio Gang at Beer and Bio, we’ve been asking questions and gathering data on what you, our members want and need.   So far this research has led to some new developments and there are a lot more coming,  Here are FIVE important things you said…Continue reading→

AZ Technology Workforce Survey Needs Your Input

Posted on by

A message from the Arizona Technology Council and its partners

It’s a commonly heard complaint among Arizona high-technology employers: we can’t find enough right-skilled workers to meet our needs.  Yet the state’s educational institutions and training agencies say they produce lots of that talent.

Getting to the bottom of that discrepancy – and really understanding whether there is a gap between demand for and supply of technology workers in Arizona – is the aim behind a comprehensive study that the Arizona Technology Council and its partners have commissioned.Continue reading→