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Washington, D.C. (September 3, 2020) — As America’s researchers race to develop the scientific solutions needed to eradicate Covid-19, leaders within the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) released an open letter to their biopharmaceutical colleagues that articulates key principles to ensure the “integrity, transparency, and objective assessment” of Covid-19 clinical data and secure public trust in new medical products developed in response to the pandemic. As these long-standing leaders within the biotech industry note:
“The biopharmaceutical industry is at the center of the world’s fight against Covid-19, leading the effort to develop new vaccines, therapeutic medicines and diagnostics. Over time, we expect these efforts to be successful, resulting in a range of new healthcare products for the benefit of the entire world. …
“As data begin to emerge from clinical trials of an array of vaccines and therapeutics, we believe that it is important for us in the biopharmaceutical industry to articulate the principles we see as essential for assessing these data and determining their potential value. We believe that public health, and the public’s trust in new medical products, are dependent upon the integrity, transparency and objective assessment of new data as they emerge.”
The open letter articulates the following core principles:
In conclusion, the letter urges everyone “involved in the development, review, approval, and distribution of COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines to commit themselves to these principles." To read the entire letter, click here. The letter was signed by the following individuals who are leaders within both BIO and the biopharmaceutical industry writ large:
Jeremy M. Levin, DPhil, MB BChir Chairman of the Board and CEO Ovid Therapeutics Chair, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
Paul J. Hastings President and CEO Nkarta Therapeutics, Inc. Vice Chair, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
Ted W. Love, MD President and CEO Global Blood Therapeutics Chair, Emerging Companies Section Governing Board Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
Michelle McMurry-Heath, MD, PhD President and CEO Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
Ron Cohen, MD President and CEO Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. Past Chair, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
Rachel K. King Founder and CEO GlycoMimetics, Inc. Past Chair, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
John Maraganore, PhD CEO Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Past Chair, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
Richard Pops Chairman & CEO Alkermes, Inc. Past Chair, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
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