What’s Inside: Biocom California’s Roundtable with FDA; Energy & Ag Biotech Advocacy Fly-In; GO-Biz Income Tax Credit; Changes to COVID-19 Guidance; Mid-Coast Trolley Report; LA District 6 Special Election; San Francisco Corporate Tax Relief; and more.
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Roundtable with FDA Director of Digital Health Center
On March 9, Biocom California hosted a roundtable event with Troy Tazbaz, FDA’s new director of the Digital Health Center of Excellence (DHCoE). The event was held at Gateway Labs by Lilly in South San Francisco and was the Director’s first public engagement since joining the agency in January 2023. Biocom California’s President and CEO Joe Panetta introduced the event alongside Julie Gilmore, Biocom California board member and associate vice president and global head of Lilly Gateway Labs. Read the full story.
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Joe Panetta moderating the roundtable with DHCoE Director Troy Tazbaz at Lilly’s Gateway Labs.
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Biocom California Advocates for Medical Device Issues
Last week, Biocom California participated in the AdvaMed State Medical Technology Alliance Fly-In, which brings together state associations from across the country to advocate for medtech-specific issues. Among others, Biocom California urged Congress to revert a devastating provision requiring companies to depreciate their R&D expenses over five years instead of the year they were incurred, pass legislation that provides provisional coverage for breakthrough devices, and oppose an extension of the TRIPS waiver.
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FY2024 Budget Targets Biotech Industry
The $1.7 trillion FY2024 budget released last week proposes a significant expansion of the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) drug pricing reform, including doubling the number of drugs that will be subject to price controls, making drugs eligible for negotiation sooner, and extending the inflation rebates to commercial markets. The budget also proposes to increase the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%. It includes discretionary funding of $48.9 billion for NIH, $3.7 billion for FDA, $10.3 billion for CDC, which represents increases of over a billion dollars or more for each agency. The President’s budget is non-binding and kickstarts the appropriations process in
Congress.
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Calling Energy & Ag Biotech Companies
Biocom California will be hosting an Energy & Ag Biotech Advocacy Fly-In to Washington, D.C. on May 8-10, giving participants the unique opportunity to showcase their company and build relationships with key agency officials and congressional offices in an intimate setting. This year is a pivotal year for our ag and energy biotech sector as Congress is slated to reauthorize the Farm Bill which supports biobased products R&D and production. The fly-in event is free but space is limited, register today.
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Biocom California Submits Comments on IND Reporting Changes
On March 8, Biocom California submitted comments on the FDA’s Investigational New Drug Application Annual Reporting proposed rule. Thank you to our members for engaging on this important topic and providing feedback. Please contact Zoe Bilis for future regulatory comments.
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Biocom California Statement on Silicon Valley Bank
Biocom California President & CEO, Joe Panetta, issued a statement regarding the recent collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank and recognizing the impact this may have on our members. Read the full statement.
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GO-Biz Now Accepting Applications for $99.7M in Tax Credits
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to grow in California. Biocom California was a key partner in creating this program and many growing life science companies have been successful in receiving a tax credit. Applications are due by Monday, March 20, at 11:59 p.m. PDT and application assistance is available.
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Governor Newsom Vows CEQA Reform
Gov. Gavin Newsom promised to reform the landmark 1970 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to make it easier to build much-needed student and homeless housing. CEQA requires state and local agencies to evaluate and disclose significant environmental effects of projects, but in recent decades has allegedly been used to block housing and public transit projects.
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San Diego
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San Diego City Council Votes to Increase Housing Near Transit
A close 5-4 vote on February 14 passed a Biocom California-supported proposal to increase housing density near transit stops from a half-mile to one mile. The policy will open up 5,000 acres for development, allowing San Diegans to live near transit for commuting and recreation. Biocom California advocated for the change at City Council.
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Biocom California Advocates for Industry Growth in University City Community Plan Update
The University City Community Plan update proposes increasing density of homes in the plan area as well as better utilization of the Blue Line Trolley Extension, creating more walking and biking paths, and reducing greenhouse gasses. While some community members have shown concern for increased traffic, Biocom California has been advocating for density in the plan update to enable growth of workforce housing and jobs in the city’s life science hub via our designated seat on the plan update committee.
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Circulate San Diego Launches Mid-Coast Trolley Report
On February 14, Melanie Cohn from our policy team was a featured speaker at the press conference for Circulate San Diego’s launch of “ Making the Most of the Mid-Coast Trolley.” The report offers practical solutions for how the region can get the most “bang for its buck” from its $1B investment in the Mid-Coast Trolley Extension. The solutions allow more homes and jobs near the trolley, and improve connectivity via bus, bicycle and walking to the benefit of the entire region.
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Biocom California’s Melanie Cohn Recognized by the San Diego Business Journal
Biocom California’s Senior Director of Regional Policy & Government Affairs, Melanie Cohn, has been recognized by the San Diego Business Journal as a 2023 Nonprofit Board Leader of Influence. She currently sits on the board of five nonprofits and is working to bring a chapter of OUTBio to San Diego.
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Los Angeles
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City of Pasadena Announces Recent Promotions
The City of Pasadena announced the promotions of Jennifer Paige and Tiffany Jacobs-Quinn to directors of planning and community development and human resources, respectively. Alex Souto was also promoted to deputy city manager. These promotions come at a time when the city is looking at ways to attract more life science companies.
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LA County Supervisors Vote to Consider Expanding 5-Member Board
In response to growing calls for government reform, the LA County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to begin a process that could lead to expanding its size from the current five members. Proponents argue this could allow underrepresented and marginalized groups to have more equitable representation in government.
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District 6 Special Election for LA City Council
San Fernando Valley residents will be receiving mail in ballots to vote in the special April 4 election to replace former Council President, Nury Martinez, who resigned nearly five months ago. Seven candidates are vying for the position.
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Bay Area
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San Francisco Corporate Tax Relief
To help attract companies to San Francisco’s struggling downtown, Mayor London Breed is proposing more business-friendly taxes. Her recently revealed plan includes tax incentives of up to $1M for three years to businesses that open new offices in the area.
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San Carlos Moves to Regulate Biosafety Level 3 Labs
Our policy team was present at the San Carlos Planning Commission on March 6 to dispel misconceptions around biosafety level (BSL) designations and advocate for the city to proceed with a conditional use permit for BSL 3. The Planning Commission voted 3-1 to proceed with the permit process for BSL 3 and prohibit the development of BSL 4 labs. City Council will have the final decision on whether or not to approve this recommendation.
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South San Francisco Reach Codes
South San Francisco is considering a "reach code" – or a sustainability regulation for building construction that goes above and beyond state requirements. We anticipate that the city will release the draft code in the coming weeks and that it will move quickly through the city’s approval process. We will keep our members updated as the draft code becomes available.
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Thursday, March 16
San Diego
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This is your opportunity to hear the Councilmember’s priorities and share any challenges your company experiences with city policies and processes.
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Wednesday, March 22
Virtual
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Join us at our next Biocom California Intellectual Property Committee Meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, March 22 at 1 p.m. PDT.
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Tuesday, March 28
Bay Area
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This committee meets to address policy issues in the greater San Francisco Bay Area and provides a forum to deliver input on proposed legislative changes at city and county levels of government. All Biocom California members engaged in local policy and regulatory issues are invited to attend.
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Tuesday, April 11
San Diego
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What can you do to make your lab greener? Experts from My Green Lab and Polycarbin Lab Recycling will present the state of laboratory plastics recycling and the current resources available. We will also have an industry panel for companies to share their experiences and challenges with laboratory plastics recycling.
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Zoe Bilis
Associate Manager of Regulatory Policy
Washington, D.C.
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Emily Cassel
Govt. Affairs Events & Project Manager
San Diego
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Laure Clark
Sr. Director, Federal Policy & Govt. Affairs
Washington, D.C.
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Melanie Cohn
Sr. Director, Regional Policy & Govt. Affairs
SD, LA, Bay Area
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Jimmy Jackson
Senior Vice President
& Chief Policy Officer
San Diego
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Biocom California Advocacy
Biocom California is the largest, most experienced leader and advocate for California’s life science sector. Our public policy staff is strategically located in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento and Washington, D.C. We work with all levels of federal, state, and local governments to collectively pursue outcomes that benefit regional life science growth and contribute to a more innovation-friendly state. With over 27 years of experience, Biocom California works on behalf of more than 1,700 member companies statewide.
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