To help spotlight this innovation, more than 60 biopharmaceutical researchers from 24 member companies are headed to Capitol Hill to tell the story of research and development necessary to develop new medicines for patients.
Event: New era of medicine comes to Capitol Hill
Biopharmaceutical researchers work every day to translate science into new treatments and cures. This passion has led to breakthroughs like gene therapy to treat childhood blindness, immuno-oncology that seeks to harness the immune system’s power to eliminate cancer or slow its growth and therapies that can prevent HIV infection. The biopharmaceutical industry is also a key economic driver and supports more than four million high-skilled jobs, serving as the single largest funder of business research and development in the U.S.
To help spotlight this innovation, today, more than 60 biopharmaceutical researchers from 24 PhRMA member companies are headed to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to tell the story of research and development necessary to develop new medicines for patients. In this unique moment in biopharmaceutical science, conversations on the Hill will center on the complexity of research and the importance of securing a policy environment that allows innovation to flourish. It’s critical policymakers also protect innovation from harmful proposals that seek to jeopardize our ability to continue researching and developing new medicines and patients’ access to the latest treatments.
In addition to meetings on Capitol Hill, the following day, Wednesday, May 1, we will continue the conversion by hosting an event titled, “The Future of Science: How Women are Leading Medical Innovation.”
The event will feature a panel discussion about what the new era of medicine means for women’s health, how the biopharmaceutical industry is empowering women and girls in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs and what the future of science will look like. From 1990 to 2016, the share of women in the life sciences industry increased from 34 to 47 percent.
A diverse talent pool of STEM-literate Americans prepared for the jobs of the future will be essential for maintaining the national innovation base that supports key sectors of the economy and for making the scientific discoveries and developing new treatments and cures. While challenges remain to engage, attract, and support girls and women in STEM education and careers, the biopharmaceutical and broader life-sciences industries has made progress in closing STEM gaps and is focused on increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM.
To learn more about the speakers and attend the event, click here.
