ICYMI: Pennsylvania shows what biopharmaceutical innovation can deliver

not used title

At a recent Axios event in Philadelphia, leaders from across Pennsylvania’s life sciences, business, research and policy communities made the case for why the Commonwealth continues to attract major biopharmaceutical investment and what that means for patients, jobs and innovation.

State of play: Pennsylvania’s growth did not happen by accident. Speakers pointed to intentional policy choices, world-class research institutions, manufacturing infrastructure and a skilled workforce as key reasons companies continue to invest.

Kerry Benson, interim president and CEO of the Science Center, captured the result, “These companies can go anywhere to build and to invest. And they chose this region. So I think that's a testament to what the possibilities are and the foundation that's already been built.”

By the numbers: That investment is supporting Pennsylvania’s workforce and strengthening local economies, from the region’s 262,000 biopharmaceutical jobs to the dry cleaners, diners and other small businesses that benefit when new investment comes to a community.

Continued growth depends on maintaining the policy conditions that make Pennsylvania competitive. As Luke Bernstein, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, put it, “Investment is like water. It will flow to the path of least resistance.”

The impact: Innovation changes what is possible for patients. Cancer survivor and Voters for Cures patient advocate Bob Kiesendahl shared how treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia has transformed since his diagnosis. Decades ago, a bone marrow transplant gave him the chance to survive. Today, many patients can instead take a daily pill.

For Bob, the meaning of that progress for patients is simple: “When they hear medical innovation, it means hope.”

Policy matters: Pennsylvania Rep. Lisa Borowski emphasized the importance of supporting an environment where research, health care and innovation can thrive.

"We have a lot of innovation happening here in Pennsylvania. And my job as a legislator is to not only help foster that innovation, make it easier to innovate, but also to support our health care institutions.”

Bottom line: Pennsylvania shows what biopharmaceutical innovation can deliver when policy and investment align: stronger communities, high-value jobs and new hope for patients.

As Jocelyn Ulrich, PhRMA’s Vice President of Policy and Research, noted: “Pennsylvania is really part of a larger story. It is an example of what we want to see across the country.”

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

PhRMA Foundation makes unprecedented investment in America’s future scientific workforce

October 5, 2026

How 250 years of smart policy built America's biopharmaceutical edge

July 2, 2026

Staffing up: Building the future biopharma workforce to keep America in the lead

June 29, 2026

MFN price controls threaten American jobs and the U.S. economy

May 28, 2026

CNBC: Maintaining America’s lead in medical innovation

April 21, 2026

Policymakers shouldn’t double down on the IRA’s flaws with MFN

March 30, 2026

How AI is transforming the drug innovation lifecycle

March 19, 2026

Leadership in biopharmaceutical R&D provides U.S. patients the greatest access to innovative medicines

March 11, 2026

Harmful U.S. policies will help drive China’s global leadership in biopharmaceutical innovation

March 4, 2026

Americans believe U.S. pharma leadership needs to be protected

February 26, 2026

MFN undermines U.S. biopharmaceutical innovation

February 25, 2026

CMS puts patients and innovation at risk with MFN

February 24, 2026

America Cures: Championing U.S. leadership in medical innovation

February 18, 2026

PhRMA Forum 2026 highlights the importance of fostering the next era of American leadership

February 18, 2026

Middlemen mark up drug prices and keep discounts meant for you

November 10, 2025

Celebrating STEM Day: Investing in America’s innovators

November 8, 2025

Manufacturing U.S. jobs and breakthroughs

October 6, 2025

Historic biopharmaceutical investments: A prescription for America’s future

September 29, 2025

Strong Trade Policies Protect American Workers and Biopharmaceutical Innovation

March 12, 2025

New research: Industry sponsored clinical trials contribute billions to state economies

March 6, 2025

Industry-backed STEM programs have supported 111 million students and nearly 183,000 teachers

August 1, 2024

Biopharmaceutical industry supports jobs and drives economic growth across the United States

May 16, 2024

Biden Administration’s Indo Pacific trade dialogue is a missed opportunity to bolster American exports, innovation

November 29, 2023

The Biden Administration has failed to advance an inclusive, worker-centered trade agenda

September 5, 2023

Four ways that America’s biopharmaceutical industry supports jobs and fuels economic growth

May 18, 2023

U.S. biopharmaceutical exports support jobs, innovation

March 20, 2023

ICYMI: New research builds upon growing body of evidence on value of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines

August 16, 2022

The Senate’s latest price setting proposal will undermine U.S. economic growth

August 3, 2022

ICYMI: A patient, physician, biotech investor and industry leaders warn about the dangers of government price setting bill

July 29, 2022

PhRMA member companies’ R&D investments reach record high of $102.3 billion in 2021

July 18, 2022

Putting patients first at the state level — A conversation with Mark Reisenauer, President of Astellas Pharma US

July 14, 2022

COVID-19 vaccines and treatments helped save millions of lives and billions in health care costs

July 7, 2022

Biopharmaceutical industry drives economic growth in all 50 states

March 14, 2022

PhRMA member companies’ R&D investments reach record high of $91.1 billion in 2020

July 22, 2021

Data shows COVID-19 vaccines are creating a pathway to a strong U.S. recovery

July 2, 2021

Beyond output and employment: The impact of America’s biopharmaceutical industry

February 11, 2021

Preserving U.S. innovation worldwide is more important than ever

January 29, 2021

American biopharmaceutical manufacturing: Fueling economic growth now and for years to come

December 21, 2020

Manufacturing Day 2020: A closer look at the biopharmaceutical industry’s contributions

October 2, 2020

America’s global leadership in biopharmaceutical manufacturing

June 4, 2020

New report: Biopharmaceutical industry supports over 4 million jobs and $1.1 trillion in U.S. economic output

February 12, 2020

What you need to know about H.R. 3

December 12, 2019

New poll: 76% of voters concerned Speaker Pelosi’s plan would result in fewer new medicines

December 5, 2019

IP Explained: By the Numbers: How reliable IP protections promote a strong U.S. economy

November 4, 2019

What they are saying: Negative impact of Pelosi’s plan on biopharmaceutical innovation

October 31, 2019

Pelosi’s radical plan leaves lung cancer patients behind

October 23, 2019

Event tomorrow: Maintaining America’s leadership in access and innovation

October 16, 2019

Pelosi’s radical plan would leave Alzheimer’s patients behind

October 16, 2019

What they are saying: Broad opposition to Pelosi’s radical drug pricing plan

October 10, 2019

On Manufacturing Day, a closer look at the biopharmaceutical sector’s contributions

October 4, 2019

By the Numbers: Pelosi’s radical plan puts America’s economy and jobs at risk

September 26, 2019

World Trade Month: How we can expand world-class pro-innovation standards

May 22, 2019

New Report: Advanced manufacturing powering innovative biopharmaceuticals

May 10, 2019

Clinical trials impact state economies

May 3, 2019

Biopharmaceutical venture capital is spurring innovation and economic growth

February 11, 2019

PhRMA member companies R&D investments hit record high in 2017 - $71.4 billion

August 9, 2018

Researchers bring focus on science and medicine to California’s capital city

May 29, 2018

To continue to drive the innovation economy and exports, American biopharmaceutical sector depends on fair trade agreements

May 10, 2018

New Report: America's biopharmaceutical industry supports 4.7 million jobs

March 1, 2018

New PhRMA resources chock full of biopharma industry facts

July 20, 2017

New medicines are part of the solution to hold down future health care costs

June 28, 2017

American Leadership

Economic Impact