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BIO SEEKS FDA BUDGET INCREASE

February 19, 2007

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is praising President Bush's proposed fiscal 2008 budget, but requested that Congress increase funding for the FDA.

"Congress must increase funding to keep pace with the enhanced mandate of the FDA, which has expanded to include pandemic disease preparedness, as well as food safety and other counter-terrorism activities," BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood said.

The proposed funding for the FDA includes increases of $11.2 million to modernize drug safety programs, $10.6 million for food safety programs and $7.2 million for medical device safety and review programs.

"While we fully support the agreement we have reached with FDA regarding reauthorizing drug user fees, it is clear that the balance between user fees and appropriations has gone beyond what was ever initially contemplated," Greenwood added. "Now is the time for a substantial increase in FDA appropriations."

Greenwood also said BIO hopes "that HHS will engage the full spectrum of the biotechnology industry, including cell-culture and next-generation vaccines currently available, and next generation antivirals and rapid diagnostics."