Leading Collaborative, Transformational Research Through Partnership with BIO

What is BIO?

BIO is the largest advocacy organization in the world representing member companies, state biotechnology groups, academic and research institutions, and related organizations. BIO is organized into 4 different sections, which include: emerging biotech companies, health biotechnology, agriculture and environment, and food and agriculture biotechnology. Most recently, BIO launched a COVID vaccines facts website, is actively supporting the Sustainable Skies Act, and launched the BIOEquality Agenda, which is a national effort to counteract systemic inequality, injustice, and unfair treatment of underserved communities.

 BIO is best described by these two sentences from their website: “BIO is committed to speaking up for the millions of families around the globe who depend upon our success. [BIO] will drive a revolution that aims to cure patients, protect our climate, and nourishes humanity.”

Who is Dr. McMurry-Heath?

Dr. McMurry-Heath has a diverse background ranging from being the top legislative aide to Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, to working at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as time at Johnson & Johnson in various leadership roles. This eclectic background makes her the perfect person to lead BIO in making science accessible for everyone, regardless of background. It also needs to be noted that she is the first Black person to graduate from the Duke University School of Medicine Medical Scientist Training Program with her M.D., Ph.D. and the first woman to be president and CEO at BIO.

“The common thread in McMurry-Heath’s work across academia, government, and industry has been her focus on broadening access to scientific progress so more patients from diverse backgrounds can benefit from cutting-edge innovation,” says the BIO profile of Dr. McMurry-Heath. “Driven by her own past family experiences navigating clinical trials and funding uncertainties within the rare disease community, Dr. McMurry-Heath calls ‘the distribution of scientific progress the social justice issue of our age.’”

NPF is excited to have her jumpstart the symposium, which includes sessions on basic science, comorbidities and overall wellness, DEI in research, NPF research programs, and clinical research. The day concludes with select oral poster presentations and a poster/networking session. The 2021 Research Symposium will set the stage for the next phase of psoriatic disease research. The information and education shared will be invaluable in addressing the challenges and approaches to research and care.