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What’s Inside: A New Innovative Digital Platform; Our New Board Chair and Vision; New Defenses Against COVID-19; and more.
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We’re championing the progress made by California’s life science community and want to hear about your company’s latest scientific breakthrough, investment milestone, or commitment to creating positive change for our industry. Submit your story here for possible inclusion in an upcoming issue. |
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What’s Happening at Biocom California
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An Innovative Digital Platform for the World’s Most Innovative Industry
Tomorrow, we are very pleased to unveil an entirely new website designed with our members and California’s vast life science ecosystem in mind. We’re providing a tailored experience to those in different regions throughout the state and beyond, so that you can access advocacy resources, breaking industry news, valuable networking and informative events in your area, and learn about critical business solutions that help bring your company closer to scientific breakthroughs. Navigate to our homepage tomorrow to explore all-new ways we’ll be championing our members’ momentum.
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Announcing Our New Board Chair and Chair Elect
Experienced and passionate life science leaders Timothy Scott, CEO of Tega Therapeutics, and Sabrina Martucci Johnson, CEO of Daré Bioscience, have been named chair and chair elect of Biocom California, respectively. “These board leadership positions are crucial for shaping Biocom California’s goals and implementing new programs,” said Joe Panetta, president and CEO of Biocom California.
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Introducing Intramuscular
GSK and Vir Biotechnology announced their submission of an amendment made to their Emergency Use Authorization application for administration of Sotrovimab to the FDA last Tuesday. While EUA for Sotrovimab was granted in May 2021 for intravenous infusion, the amendment requested to include intramuscular administration of the investigational monoclonal antibody for the early treatment of COVID-19.
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A QuickVue Review
The recent surge of COVID-19 variants highlights the continued need for testing and taming the spread of the virus. As Omicron has continued to infect, and Covid cases increase, so have Quidel’s QuickVue rapid antigen test sales. The company’s newly opened factory in Carlsbad is expected to continue to aid manufacturing demand of the at-home tests.
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Coming Soon to a Mailbox Near You
In addition to the already agreed upon 500 million coronavirus tests, President Biden has announced the government’s plan to double that purchase. American families can now order four free rapid test kits. Additionally, this past Saturday marked the first day that those covered by private health insurance were able to file a claim for reimbursement of up to eight COVID-19 tests each month. Stay tuned for more to come on how Biden plans to make high-quality masks
more accessible to all.
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Industry Intelligence & Member Moments
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2021 Public Policy Recap Report
This past year was one of the most unprecedented years in policy making—forcing most of the legislative process to be done virtually—and it came with its fair share of ambiguity. Our Biocom California Public Policy team worked to interpret complex policy changes and their implications for members, and created a 2021 report of the biggest takeaways and issues for your records. We look forward to continuing to advocate for the success of our incredible life science community.
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Supremes Reject Vaccine Mandate
On January 13, the Supreme Court blocked the Biden administration’s vaccination-or-testing requirement for employers with 100+ employees, stating that Congress had not given OSHA the power to impose such a sweeping requirement in workplaces across the nation. The court has been supportive of state requirements targeting the pandemic but wary of broad federal responses. A smaller version of the policy was allowed to go forward requiring vaccinations for most healthcare workers at the facilities that receive Medicaid and Medicare funds.
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Are You Aware of CalCare?
In January, California lawmakers will begin reviewing the latest update to a single payer health care plan that has sparked debate in the state capitol for years. The plan, titled CalCare, will attempt to get all Californians insured by the same entity and allow access to any doctor, regardless of network. Funding for this plan would come from the creation of a tax on companies earning more than $2M, businesses with 50 or more employees, and individuals making more than roughly $150,000 a year.
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Biocom California
For over 27 years, Biocom California has helped move the life science industry forward with transformative resources that enable companies to make meaningful connections. With a membership base of over 1,600 companies, we connect our members to each other so they can collaborate and work stronger and smarter together. We connect organizations to capital investment and purchasing solutions so they can grow faster and work more efficiently. We’re their link to advocacy that fights for innovation and we provide an environment where their business and talent can thrive. Biocom California is how the life science industry gets connected.
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