What’s Inside: Recap of Our Annual Roundtable with Mayor Todd Gloria; A Commitment for 10,000 New Affordable Homes in San Diego; Hear Directly from DARPA on Funding Opportunities; Take Action on a New TRIPS IP Waiver; and more.  

Discussing City’s Most Pressing Issues with Mayor Todd Gloria

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria joined Biocom California on October 13 for our annual roundtable discussion led by our President and CEO, Joe Panetta. Over 20 leaders from member companies in the city were present for a robust conversation about housing and homelessness, permitting processes, staffing of city positions, and land use rules in the University Community planning area. 

The mayor emphasized that his top priority is to address the housing shortage and increased homelessness in the city. Homelessness has increased by 9 percent in the past year, where neighboring jurisdictions have seen increases up to 50 percent. The mayor is tackling this issue through a combination of conservatorship programs and outreach services.

Federal Affairs

Biocom California Applauds Extension of FDA User Fees 

Biocom California applauded Congress for passing a spending package that not only funds federal agencies until mid-December but also reauthorizes the FDA user fee agreements for five years until FY 2027, allowing the agency to continue to collect and spend fees for prescription drugs, medical devices, biologics, and generics. Click here to read our statement. 

SBIR/STTR Grant Funding Reauthorized 

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs were reauthorized for three years until FY 2025.
The bill also adds some restrictions to the programs, such as foreign risk assessments, disclosure of foreign ties, and increased performance standards for multi-award recipients. Click here to view our summary of the changes. 

Take Action: Urge the Administration and Congress to Reject the New TRIPS IP Waiver for COVID-19 Therapeutics, Diagnostics

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has until December 17 to decide whether to waive intellectual property (IP) protections for COVID-19 therapeutics and diagnostics. This is a step further than the IP waiver the WTO approved earlier this year to remove IP rights for COVID-19 vaccines. Please help us protect IP rights for our industry by sending a message to the Administration and Congress to urge them to advocate against this expanded waiver. Click here to engage. 

Biocom California Unveils Drug Pricing Infographic

Biocom California has developed an infographic to help members visualize the new drug pricing provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), including Medicare negotiation, Medicare Part D benefit redesign, and patient out-of-pocket caps. Click here to view the infographic. Click here to view our statement on the new law.

State Affairs

Gov. Newsom Calls for Special Session on Gas Prices 

Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special legislative session on rebates to offset high gas prices and a tax on oil company profits. The session will be on December 5, timed with the swearing-in of the new Legislature. You can read more here. 

Regional Affairs

San Diego

City & County Commit to New Housing Goals at Historic Meeting 

At an October 3 joint meeting between the San Diego City Council and County Board of Supervisors, leaders announced their commitment to create 10,000 new affordable homes on government owned property via a reduction of regulatory barriers to housing construction and allowing more high-rise projects. 

Mayor Gloria Announces Civic Center Revitalization Committee

Mayor Todd Gloria has assembled a panel of 22 civic leaders to advise on redevelopment of San Diego’s downtown core. This Civic Center Revitalization Committee will oversee the redevelopment of City Hall, the Civic Theatre, Golden Hall, the Civic Center Plaza Building, and 101 Ash Street. 

Additional San Diego News:

• San Diego City Council passed a water rate increase of 3 percent.  
• The County Board of Supervisors directed staff to come up with a plan to incentivize middle-income housing.  
• With the passage of Build Better SD, development impact fee adjustments will be made to fire-rescue, library, and community-specific mobility fees to make them all citywide fees. 
• The 2022 Land Development Code Update is now out for review. 

Los Angeles

L.A. Leaders Step Down After Leaked Audio of Racist Comments 

In an explosive story that began October 9, the L.A. Times shared audio from a redistricting meeting held last year during which Council President Nury Martinez mocked Indigenous immigrants and the Black child of a fellow councilmember. Martinez and labor leader Ron Herrera resigned. Councilmembers Cedillo and de León have issued apologies, and yesterday Councilmember Paul Krekorian was voted by his colleagues to replace Martinez as Council President.

Additional Los Angeles News:

• Biocom California’s Los Angeles Executive Director Stephanie Hsieh spoke at an event with L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti about the importance of L.A.’s status as a global city. 
• Biocom California policy staff spoke at the grand opening of the first post-incubation life science facility in Orange County.  
• Train service was suspended between Orange County and San Diego, the second busiest corridor in the country, due to unstable cliffs. 
• The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors reopened their meetings for in-person attendance on September 27. 

Bay Area

Give Your Input on Redwood City Building Codes 

In November, Redwood City will update its Reach Codes for the 2023 Building Code cycle. These codes outline strict rules around building construction and operations related to sustainability. The city is seeking feedback on this update, and we encourage you to fill out this survey to give your opinion. 

San Bruno BART Development Moves Forward

A large transit-centered development of life science and tech space was given the green light to move ahead near the San Bruno BART Station. The development, called Southline, will be built on a 28-acre site that straddles South San Francisco and San Bruno; it recently received approval from both cities. 

Additional Bay Area News:

• South San Francisco Mayor Mark Nagales joined Biocom California members on October 12 to discuss the city’s child care ballot measure that proposes a new $2.50 per square foot parcel tax on commercial buildings larger than 25,000 square feet. 
• Biocom California and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce convened our San Francisco members on October 11 to review upcoming changes to city zoning related to R&D. Please contact our Senior Director of Regional Policy & Government Affairs for additional information.
• In September the Ferry Service Expansion Act was introduced; it includes funding to replace the entire Bay Area fleet with zero-emission ferries. 
• MTC and ABAG Executive Director Therese W. McMilan announced she will retire from both positions January 31, 2023. 

Public Policy Events

Wednesday, November 2
Virtual

Learn more about small business collaboration opportunities with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) at our upcoming event featuring the Program Director of DARPA’s Small Business Programs Office.
 

Save the Date: Spotlight on Fremont
 

Wednesday, December 7
Bay Area

Hear from a panel of industry leaders on why life science is booming in Fremont, the industry’s evolution, and how companies will contribute to continued future growth in the Bay Area. 
 

Meet the Team