What’s Inside: Tune Into Our New Podcast; Top Stories in State and Local Politics; Celebrate Earth Day With Us; Gilead Launches Oncology Campaign; and more.

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.

Now Airing: Our New LifeLines Podcast

Need a new podcast to tune into during busy commutes that keeps you up to speed with the latest innovation happening throughout California? Our recently launched LifeLines podcast, now airing on our website, Apple, and Spotify, shares the stories of success from leaders across the life science industry spectrum. Hear candid one-on-one conversations that detail personal journeys through challenges and how perseverance led them and their companies to develop incredible innovations that are improving the human condition. Our first episode’s guest features Alec Ford, CEO of Karius, a Bay Area biotech company focused on infectious disease testing for some of the most vulnerable: cancer patients. Alec shares his own personal story about his family’s touch with cancer, what drove him to be a facilitator of change, and his focus on preventing deaths associated with infections in those with cancer.  

Spotlight on Earth Month

We are proud to represent so many members embracing sustainability practices and striving toward environmental stewardship in an effort to minimize the negative impact that some operational and manufacturing activities have on our planet. To help facilitate discussions that focus on innovative solutions that tackle the unique challenges our industry faces, we are hosting our 7th Annual Earth Day Sustainability Reception this month, which will be recorded and shared statewide. Our work in sustainability is ever-evolving and strengthened by the unique perspectives of our members. We invite feedback via this interest form for those interested in discussing your organization’s sustainability goals to help us shape future programs and initiatives.

Join Biocom California at BIO 2023 in Boston

We invite members to connect with us this coming June at the 2023 BIO Convention in Boston. Join us at Booth #2935 and get a front seat for our Innovation Stage where presentations will take place throughout the week-long convention. Our industry subject matter experts will discuss the future of the life science & tech convergence, international collaborations and partnerships and trends in cold chain, ESG and sustainability programs that help drive our members’ innovation. We are now taking submissions from dynamic, innovative companies to pitch at our Venture Hub PitchFest. CEOs and founders will have 10 minutes allocated for each pitch, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your company’s visibility and connect with investors and industry peers. Contact Tyler Morris for more information. If you are interested in partnership opportunities within the Biocom California space, please contact Angela Rivera.

Policy Perspective

Biden Administration Announces Project NextGen 

This week, the Biden Administration announced a $5 billion program called Project NextGen at HHS to incentivize the development of the next generation of vaccines and treatments for COVID-19. The funding would support research and development for new monoclonal antibody products, vaccines that produce mucosal immunity, and pan-covid vaccines. 

COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Transition

On April 10, President Biden signed a bill ending the COVID-19 national emergency declaration. While the public health emergency (PHE) is still planned to expire on May 11, federal agencies have already begun issuing transition plans for their pandemic policies. The Food and Drug Administration recently published two transition plans for COVID-19-related medical device products and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a fact sheet outlining the transition policies for COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatments, telehealth services, healthcare access, and more.

San Diego County Board of Supervisors Urge Fletcher to Resign 

The top story in San Diego over the past few weeks has been the fallout from a lawsuit filed against Supervisor Nathan Fletcher alleging harassment by a former employee of the Metropolitan Transit System, where Fletcher was chair. He subsequently announced his resignation from the Board of Supervisors, effective May 15. His colleagues on the board unanimously voted on Tuesday in favor of a resolution of no confidence in Fletcher and urged his immediate resignation. Another special meeting is planned for May 2 to consider a successor to represent District 4. 

Efforts to Recall LA Councilmember Kevin de Leon Fail

A campaign to recall LA Councilmember Kevin de Leon failed to gather enough signatures to put it on a ballot, falling short by about 10,000 signatures. This is the fourth attempt at recalling Councilmember de Leon, and directly related to his participation in the leaked audio-recorded conversation between then Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Gil Cedillo, de Leon, and a labor leader. De Leon has defied continued calls for his resignation but has been censured by the LA City Council and stripped of many committee assignments.  

Bill Aims to Increase Relocatable Housing in the Bay Area 

Senator Josh Becker’s SB 1094 aims to offer a financial boost to cities that have failed to meet their obligations for affordable housing under the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process. This bill would make funding available for below-market-rate projects and expand the types of development that would qualify as “low-income” housing.

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