WA State Senator Liias named BIO Legislator of the Year.

Press Release Summary:



BIO selected Senator Marko Liias as 2014 Legislator of the Year. In comment, BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood said Liias' work and leadership on critical issues "enabled biotech companies to bring life-saving and life-enhancing technologies to market." Chris Rivera, President of Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association, called Liias "a champion of Washington’s biotechnology industry" and "an invaluable resource for the biotechnology community."



Original Press Release:



Washington State Senator Liias Honored as BIO Legislator of the Year



SEATTLE--The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Senator Marko Liias as a 2014 Legislator of the Year. Senator Liias received the award today in conjunction with the Life Science Innovation Northwest conference.



“His important work and leadership on a number of issues of critical importance has enabled biotech companies to bring life-saving and life-enhancing technologies to market, while ensuring America remains the world leader in life science innovation.”



“Senator Liias has distinguished himself as a bipartisan champion for the life science industry during his tenure in both Washington state’s House and Senate, as well as in the broader community," said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. "His important work and leadership on a number of issues of critical importance has enabled biotech companies to bring life-saving and life-enhancing technologies to market, while ensuring America remains the world leader in life science innovation.”



“As a champion of Washington’s biotechnology industry, Senator Liias’s leadership and support of a number of critically important issues, including co-sponsoring the bipartisan Senate Bill 6430 to renew industry research and development related tax credits and incentives,” said Chris Rivera, President of the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association. "The life science industry in Washington provides more than $11 billion in annual economic impact and provides jobs, both directly and indirectly, for over 91,000 people. Senator Liias has been an invaluable resource for the biotechnology community. We thank him for supporting the innovative capacity and job creating potential of life science companies, and congratulate him on receiving this award."



Photos of the award presentation are available upon request.



About BIO



BIO is the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIOtechNOW is BIO's blog chronicling “innovations transforming our world” and the BIO Newsletter is the organization’s bi-weekly email newsletter. Subscribe to the BIO Newsletter.



Upcoming BIO Events



BIO IP Counsels Committee Conference

April 23-25, 2014

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World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology

May 12-15, 2014

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June 23-26, 2014

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Livestock Biotech Summit

September 16-18, 2014

Sioux Falls, SD



Contacts



Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)

George Goodno, 202-962-9660

Web: www.bio.org

Blog: www.biotech-now.org

Twitter: @IAmBiotech

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