Michelle McMurry-Heath assumed the leadership of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) as President and CEO on June 1, 2020. A medical doctor and molecular immunologist by training, Dr. McMurry-Heath becomes just the third CEO to lead BIO, the world’s largest biotechnology advocacy group, since its founding in 1993.

She previously served as Global Head of Evidence Generation for Medical Device Companies, Vice President of Global External Innovation, and Global Leader for Regulatory Sciences at J&J. Back in 2008, Dr. McMurry-Heath was a member of the Obama-Biden transition team, which tapped her to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the National Science Foundation’s policies. President Obama then named her Associate Science Director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health under Commissioner Margaret Hamburg.

Michelle McMurry-Heath takes command of BIO during a tumultuous time and amidst unprecedented challenges. In this podcast we discuss BIO´s role supporting companies now producing mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, as well as how US-based biotech, particularly in California and Massachusetts, has been the key player driving the global growth of the biopharmaceutical industry over the last several decades. Repeated technological triumphs notwithstanding, we also highlight the mounting regulatory challenges regarding pricing and access at a time when science is targeting ever smaller populations and more personalized treatments, which require innovative approaches that under current regulatory structures are not always appropriately supported. Lastly, Michelle McMurry-Heath also outlines what priorities are key to ensuring the viability of the biotech sector at the state level.

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