WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY) as a Legislator of the Year for 2011-2012. Senator Enzi receives the award in conjunction with todays BIO Legislative Day Fly-In reception.

"As the ranking minority member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Senator Enzi has been instrumental to the growth of the life science industry. Thanks to his support, American doctors and scientists are better able to translate innovative research into new cures and treatments for debilitating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS, and provide cutting-edge technologies to improve crop yields, and discover cleaner forms of home-grown energy," said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood.As a champion of American biotechnology, his steadfast support for a timely reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, as well as efforts to ensure reforms to the Accelerated Approval pathway at the FDA, reflect a keen understanding of important healthcare issues.

More than 200 biotechnology industry representatives from 41 states will participate in hundreds of meetings with Members of the House and Senate during the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In.Participants will discuss issues critical to the biotechnology industry including reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, the Transforming the Regulatory Environment to Accelerate Access to Treatments (TREAT) Act/Faster Access to Specialized Treatments (FAST) Act, adequate reimbursement for vital therapies under Medicare, and capital formation issues relevant to biotechnology companies.

Photos of the award presentation are available upon request.

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the worlds largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

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Senator Enzi Honored as BIO Legislator of the Year