[Ip-health] AP: Biotech industry lobbying efforts

[Sarah Rimmington]

1. Biotech industry group spent $1.9M lobbying in 3Q

2. Biogen Idec spent $180,000 lobbying in 3Q


1. Biotech industry group spent $1.9M lobbying in 3Q
Associated Press, 12.08.08
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/12/08/ap5793625.html

The Biotechnology Industry Organization, a lobbying and advocacy group
for the biotech industry, spent more than $1.9 million lobbying the
federal government in the third quarter, according to a recent
disclosure form.

The group lobbied on a range of agricultural issues, including marketing
and regulatory programs and risk assessment for cloned products, as well
as on patent reform, biofuels, stem cells, and government reimbursement
rates.

The group also has been at the forefront in the now stalled efforts to
allow generic drug companies to make cheaper versions of biotech drugs.
Currently, the Food and Drug Administration only has a system in place
for approving generic versions of chemical-based drugs. Biotech drugs
are made using living cells and are more complex.

Both generic drug developers and biotech companies are at odds over how
a new system would work, with the length of patent protection for
biotech drugs a key sticking point.

The trade group's members include some of the largest names in biotech,
such as Genentech Inc. (nyse: DNA - news - people ) and Amgen Inc.
(nasdaq: AMGN - news - people )

Besides Congress, the group lobbied the Department of Agriculture, FDA,
Federal Trade Commission, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, among other agencies, according to a form posted online Oct.
20 by the House clerk's office.

Those lobbying on behalf of the organization included: Patrick Carroll,
a former legislative assistant to Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill.; Tooshar
Swain, who was a legislative correspondent to former Sen. Rick Santorum,
R-Pa.; and Bill Olson, who used to work as a legislative assistant to
Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill.
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Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may
not be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

2. Biogen Idec spent $180,000 lobbying in 3Q
Associated Press, 12.08.08
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/12/08/ap5793162.html

Biotech drug maker Biogen Idec Inc. spent $180,000 lobbying the federal gov=
ernment in the third quarter, according to a recent disclosure form.

The Cambridge, Mass.-based company lobbied on the issue of how generic drug=
 companies would make cheaper versions of biotech drugs. Currently, the Foo=
d and Drug Administration only has a system in place for approving generic =
versions of chemical-based drugs. Biotech drugs are made using living cells=
 and are more complex.


Both generic drug developers and biotech companies are at odds over how a n=
ew system would work, with the length of patent protection for biotech drug=
s a key sticking point.

Biogen also lobbied on legislation aimed at updating the U.S. patent system=
 and dealing with government reimbursement rates for pharmaceuticals, accor=
ding to the form posted online Oct. 16 by the House clerk's office.

Kathleen Weldon, formerly a staffer with the House Ways and Means Committee=
, and Adam Gluck, who previously worked for the Senate Committee on Health,=
 Education, Labor, and Pensions, were among those lobbying on Biogen's beha=
lf in the third quarter.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not=
 be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed


--
Sarah Rimmington
Attorney
Essential Action, Access to Medicines Project
Washington, DC
Tel: (202) 387-8030
Cell: (202) 422-2687
www.essentialaction.org/access/