The Value of Innovation
iBIO works closely with our national partners to educate and engage policymakers, payers, providers, patients and all other stakeholders in the ongoing conversation on the value of innovative medicines and therapies. 

Supporting Research
National Institute of Health funding is critical to the Illinois life sciences community. Public investment in the NIH has helped establish the United States as a global leader in medical research and innovation. With over $800 million in 2017, Illinois is one of the top states receiving NIH funding, this funding is critical to our startup ecosystem. Since 2003 funding levels for the NIH have consistently remained flat and faced cuts as a result of sequestration. Taking into account the rising cost of conducting medical research, net NIH funding has actually decreased substantially. We support increased investment in NIH. 

Adequate FDA Funding
By some estimates, the US Food and Drug Administration has regulatory domain over 25% of the US Gross Domestic Product.  Public faith in the FDA’s oversight is critical to development of biological products in medicine, food and agriculture. The FDA needs to be funded at appropriate levels to exercise this oversight and to retain skilled scientists and administrators in the department. iBIO has in the past and will continue to advocate that the federal government support the FDA with a budget adequate to the agency’s needs.

Intellectual Property & Patent Reform
Intellectual property is the lifeblood of the life sciences industry. Strong patents, and an efficient, predictable, and objective patent system, are critical to ensuring a steady stream of capital to life sciences companies developing innovative medicines and other innovative therapies.

iBIO supports the STRONGER Patents Act of 2017 and will continue to advocate for passage of legislation to curb abusive patent practices, while strengthening the ability of patent owners to defend their inventions and businesses against infringement.

Freedom from Trade Barriers
iBIO supports ensuring that export markets remain clear and unobstructed by unreasonable trade barriers.  This applies to products of biotechnology research, whether they are food products or biotech medical products.

Medicare
iBIO supports protecting Part B and Part D benefits to ensure patients have access to the treatments they need. iBIO supports the continued “non-interference” policy toward government oversight of Part D pricing and opposes government mandates that would reduce prices without demonstrated cost savings and positive health outcomes.

340B Drug Discount Program

The 340B Drug Discount Program is an important program designed to help uninsured indigent patients gain greater access to prescription medicines. However, exponential growth, significant rates of non-compliance revealed in audits, and a government report of lax oversight underscore the need to modernize this program to ensure it continues to serve patients in need. We support additional review and oversight to ensure the 340B program continues to operate as intended.

Drug Importation
Consistent with the positions asserted by HHS Secretaries under both Democratic and Republican administrations, iBIO strongly opposes importation of pharmaceuticals from foreign countries.

Medical Device Tax 
iBIO supports the permanent repeal of the 2.3% excise tax on medical devices that was included in the Affordable Care Act. This tax, levied against the revenues from the sale of devices, even in the cases of developing companies not yet profitable, has by various estimates cost the U.S. 30,000-40,000 jobs.

Opioid Epidemic
iBIO is deeply committed to working collectively to prevent the misuse, abuse and diversion of prescription medicines. iBIO supports a balanced approach that ensures appropriate treatment of pain while also addressing this critical public health challenge. 

Drug Pricing & Transparency
iBIO is committed to working with lawmakers, physicians, patients and other healthcare stakeholders to address the affordability of medicines. We believe that any legislative effort to address the affordability of medicines must be patient centered, holistic, and promote patient access to treatments and cures We oppose legislation that ignores the value of innovative therapies for individual patients and the importance of timely access to those treatments, interfere with the market-based ecosystem for the U.S. healthcare sector, and place undue burden on small, pre-commercial life sciences companies. 

Out of Pocket Expenses
iBIO supports policies that ensure patients have access to the treatments they need, including the adoption of caps for out-of-pocket expenses and the continuation of co-pay assistance programs in Illinois.