Biotechnology Industry Organization Spent $2.2M on Lobbying U.S. Government in 1Q

25.05.2010 12:23 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — The Biotechnology Industry Organization spent $2.2 million lobbying the federal government in the first quarter on health care, agricultural, and economic issues affecting the biotech industry. The spending marks a 15 percent boost from just over $1.9 million spent during the same period in 2009, according to a recent disclosure form. The industry group, whose members include Amgen Inc., Gilead Sciences Inc. and Biogen Idec Inc., lobbied on legislation for a proposed regulatory system for biosimilars, or copies of lucrative biotechnology drugs. Congress approved measures in March giving new biotechnology drugs 12 years of competitive protection from biosimilars. The Food and Drug Administration previously only regulated the approval of generic drugs made from chemical compounds, but did not have a system in place for biosimilars, which are developed using more complicated living cells. BIO also lobbied on health care reform, flu pandemic readiness, and Medicare issues. Genetically engineered food, cloning, along with patent reform and biofuels, were also lobbying topics for BIO during the January to March period. Besides Congress, the group lobbied the National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, Agriculture Department, Health and Human Services Department, FDA and other agencies, according to a form filed April 20 with the House clerk’s office. Among those registered to lobby during the period on behalf of BIO were: Bill Olson, former legislative assistant for Rep. John Shimkus, R.-Ill.; Patrick Carroll, former legislative assistant to Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill.; Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, former deputy assistant U.S. trade representative for agricultural affairs at the White House; Brent DelMonte, former counsel for the House committee on Energy and Commerce, focusing on food and drug issues; Brent Erickson, former legislative assistant for Sen. Alan K. Simpson, R.-Wyo. and a former lobbyist at the American Petroleum Institute; and Tom Dilenge, chief counsel and policy director for the House Homeland Security Committee and former senior counsel for the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

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