Celebrating STEM Day: Investing in America’s innovators

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More than one million U.S. employees at biopharmaceutical companies work every day to support the research and development of transformative treatments and cures. In recognition of National STEM Day, we’re highlighting America’s STEM workforce, including the scientists, engineers, researchers and students who are pursuing careers in the STEM field, helping maintain America’s leadership in biopharmaceutical innovation.

Investing in the next generation of innovators: Between 2017 and 2022, U.S. biopharmaceutical companies supported 111 million students and 183,000 teachers through 37 STEM education programs.

Why it matters: Our industry relies on a talented STEM workforce to develop new life-saving treatments employing nearly 500,000 Americans specifically involved in R&D, information technology, clinical trials and biopharmaceutical manufacturing and production.

Local investments with big impacts
More than one in four people who work for biopharmaceutical companies have STEM jobs, over four times the national average and among the highest of any manufacturing industry. Our industry is working to build a STEM footprint in local communities across the country, as we continue to expand our manufacturing footprint and invest in America’s future. For example:

Amgen’s innovative apprenticeship program helps develop local talent through hands-on training, bridging the workforce gap in Central Ohio and empowering the next generation of STEM professionals.
Astellas and other companies in Research Triangle Park are partnering with local community colleges to create hundreds of STEM jobs—training the region’s future scientific and research leaders.
AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Merck have committed a combined $120 million to develop the new Virginia Center for Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in partnership with colleges and universities in the Commonwealth to create thousands of highly skilled jobs.

As we celebrate STEM Day, we honor the dedicated individuals shaping the future of medicine and health. Together, we’re building the world’s greatest STEM workforce and developing the next wave of cutting-edge medicines.

To learn more about our industry’s investment in America, visit Innovation.org/American-Investment.

Drew Voytal

Drew Voytal, MPA is a Senior Director of public affairs at PhRMA focusing on advocacy and policy communications on key issues, including 340B. His career in health care advocacy, policy and public affairs spans more than a decade in Washington, DC where he has built relationships with key government and industry partners to advance public policy priorities. Drew has personally experienced the benefits of biopharmaceutical research and innovation and is passionate about telling the story of this vital industry.

Drew Voytal

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