BIO Applauds Selection Of Francis Collins To Lead NIH
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood issued the following statement today praising President Barack Obama's nomination of Francis S. Collins as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH):
"BIO and its member companies applaud President Barack Obama for his nomination of Dr. Francis S. Collins as Director of the NIH and urge the Senate to move quickly to confirm him.
"Dr. Collins brings impeccable credentials and experience to the position. He is a strong candidate to oversee the primary federal government agency charged with conducting and supporting medical research.A recipient of the Biotechnology Heritage award in 2001, Dr. Collins played a key role in the sequencing of the human genome which has opened up virtually limitless possibilities for science and technology.
"As Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, he initiated research projects and collaborated with scientists around the world to further increase our knowledge of the human genome and the genetic causes of disease.
"His vast experience with government agencies combined with his unparalleled scientific expertise make Dr. Collins an outstanding advocate for the NIH. His experience, expertise and leadership are critical as the Institutes move to conduct the basic research required to meet President Obama's challenge to defeat cancer in our time and to address the myriad debilitating diseases devastating millions of patients worldwide.
"BIO and its member companies are committed to expanding the boundaries of science by discovering, developing and delivering innovative therapies to patients including the millions of patients around the world who suffer from diseases for which there is no treatment or cure. We look forward to working with Dr. Collins and the dedicated staff of the NIH to attain the President's visionary goal of finding a cure for cancer 'within our time.'"