Biocom Brings California Oncology Companies to Nation's Capitol to Advocate for Innovation in Cancer Treatments and Diagnosis

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Biocom, the association representing the California life science industry, took a group of small companies working in oncology to Washington D.C. last week as part of its 2017 Oncology Advocacy Fly-In. Biocom Fly-In participants had the opportunity to meet with officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including the Director of the Center for Devices and Radiologic Health (CDRH), the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) SBIR/STTR program, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and key California legislative offices, to discuss new advances in cancer research and the challenges these companies face to develop these life-saving therapies and products.

"California has long been the most innovative region in the world when it comes to attacking deadly diseases such as cancer," said Joe Panetta, president and CEO of Biocom. "Advances in diagnosis and treatment have led to increases in survival rates from cancer, as well as significantly improved quality of life during and post-treatment. But as researchers and companies make exponential progress with technologies unimagined a generation ago, they also face challenges in regulation and reimbursement as government tries to apply models that may not be relevant to today's technologies." 

"The Biocom Oncology Fly-In allowed me to have a series of productive and substantive meetings with officials from agencies that can significantly influence an oncology company's success," said Eric Kowack, vice president, precision medicine of Ignyta. "Being able to meet with these senior regulators in such an efficient program is invaluable."

Seven participants from six companies focused on cancer research participated in the event, including early-, mid- and commercial-stage companies developing therapeutics and diagnostics. Their treatments and technologies offer the potential promise of treating cancer using genetics to identify the most effective therapies and could lead to higher survivability at lower cost to the health care system. 

"We are thankful to Biocom for opening doors for us to learn directly from senior staff at FDA, CMS, NCI and Congress about opportunities available to help support companies with their regulatory, reimbursement, and financing needs," added Ryan Witt, vice president, Immix Biopharma. "The symbiosis of companies of all sizes uniting under Biocom's umbrella to have a voice greater than our own is why we are thrilled to be part of this community that Biocom is supporting in the region."

About Biocom

Biocom is the largest, most experienced leader and advocate for California's life science sector. We work on behalf of more than 850 members to drive public policy, build an enviable network of industry leaders, create access to capital, introduce cutting-edge STEM education programs, and create robust value-driven purchasing programs.

Founded in 1995 in San Diego, Biocom provides the strongest public voice to research institutions and companies that fuel the local and state-wide economy. Our goal is simple: to help our members produce novel solutions that improve the human condition. In addition to its San Diego headquarters, Biocom operates a core office serving the Los Angeles market, satellite offices in Washington, D.C. and Tokyo, and has a continuous staff presence in Sacramento. Our broad membership benefits apply to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, genomics and diagnostics companies of all sizes, as well as to research universities and institutes, clinical research organizations, investors and service provide.

For more information on Biocom, please visit our website at www.biocom.org. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter (@BIOCOMCA).

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SOURCE Biocom