Please visit the Advocacy Action Center to weigh in with your state and federal representatives, on the importance of the Governor’s investments in the life sciences and innovation and proposals to alter NIH funding, respectively.

Washington, D.C. – Larry Zana, CEO of Consegna Pharma, participates in a congressional briefing on the importance of the SBIR/STTR programs.

Appropriations Update

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee marked up the FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Despite the cuts recommended by the Administration, this bill maintains current funding levels for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at $46.9 billion for FY26. The allocations out of the Senate Appropriations process are increased very slightly over current base funding levels.

Pennsylvania members on the Appropriations Committee include Congresswoman Madeline Dean and Congressman Guy Reschenthaler. The measure was approved by the Committee with a vote of 35 to 28. Congressman Reschenthaler voted in favor of the funding bill; Congresswoman Dean voted against the funding bill.

The NIH is the world’s leading funder of biomedical research and in 2024 Pennsylvania received more than $2 billion in NIH funding. These resources form the foundation of the commonwealth’s robust life sciences ecosystem and contribute to the discovery and development of breakthrough therapies and cures for patients. As discussions continue around the federal government budget for FY2026, Life Sciences PA urges its members to make the case to the PA congressional delegation for continued, strong investment in NIH funding. To do so, please visit our Advocacy Action Center.  The appropriations legislation has not yet been brought to the House floor for a full vote.

Washington, D.C. – Lara Flynn and other LSPA Members meet with U.S. Representative Scott Perry (R-PA-10)during the Rally for Medical Research.

Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act (HR 5343)

In late September, both the Ways & Means Committee and the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the U.S. House of Representatives held hearings on H.R. 5343, the Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act. This legislation provides Medicare coverage for medical devices approved through the FDA’s Breakthrough Devices Program. Without this legislation, devices receiving the Breakthrough Device designation and approval must often wait upwards of two to three years for payment codes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Without this legislation, patients in Medicare face coverage and reimbursement delays in access to life-changing innovations. Life Sciences PA is encouraged to see this legislation move through the Committee process and urges House leadership to move swiftly to pass this bill.

Workforce Development Partnership

Over the summer, Life Sciences PA joined the Life Sciences Workforce Collaborative as a partner working alongside state trade associations  from across the country to build a competitive workforce that will ensure the United States’ leadership in life sciences innovation.

Pediatric Priority Review Voucher (PPRV) Reauthorization 

Wednesday, September 17 the House Committee on Energy and Commerce voted in a unanimous and bipartisan manner (47-0) to favorably report out of committee HR. 1262, Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 which included language to reauthorize the Pediatric Priority Review Voucher program. The Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program (PPRV) incentivizes the development of novel therapies to treat rare pediatric diseases. This program was not reauthorized by the end of 2024 and has therefore expired. This legislation has bipartisan co-sponsorship of 15 legislators in the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation. Pennsylvania’s sole member on the Committee is Representative John Joyce, M.D. who has championed this legislation and voted in support of the bill. The reauthorization of this vital program would be extended to September 30, 2029.  The full US House of Representatives has not yet voted on this legislation. The Senate version of Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 (S.932) was introduced in March and is awaiting any movement  from the Senate HELP Committee.

Pennsylvania Budget Update

Pennsylvania’s budget is now three months past its due date, although there has been some positive movement towards a budget resolution. The issue of transit funding, a major issue in budget negotiations, was resolved as SEPTA has been authorized to draw down almost $400 million in capital funds. Despite this apparent movement, details on any kind of potential deal remain scarce, with both chambers set to return to voting session Monday, October 6.

As negotiations continue, Life Sciences PA will keep its Members apprised of any developments. Additionally, LSPA remains steadfast in its advocacy for programs that incentivize investment in Pennsylvania’s life sciences community, such as the Governor’s life sciences and innovation fund, expanding the Research & Development Tax Credit, and creating a state SBIR/STTR matching program, among other priorities.

Senate Bill 381

Senate Bill 381 (otherwise known as the “Beagle Bill”) passed the Pennsylvania Senate September 10. The legislation sought to further regulate the utilization of animal subjects in medical research. The initial bill contained provisions that would have inhibited the ability of our member organizations to conduct research and development beneficial for human and animal health. Life Sciences PA and several stakeholder groups and organizations were able to arrive at compromise language that ensures continued life sciences innovation while further protecting animals utilized in this process. The bill moved to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

State Board of Pharmacy and Vaccine Guidance

In response to the announcement that Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines were terminated, the Shapiro administration called for a special meeting of the State Board of Pharmacy. In that meeting the Board of Pharmacy voted unanimously to approve additional authorities that pharmacists can consult for vaccine guidance. Prior to that, the only workaround was for patients who wanted a COVID vaccine to present a prescription. Additional guidance refers to recommendations from the American Association for Pediatricians, American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This represents an important step by state government to ensure continued access to COVID vaccines amid uncertain messages from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Additionally, after the most recent meeting of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the Pennsylvania Department of Health issued new recommendations expanding the list of organizations Pennsylvanians and their doctors should consult for vaccine guidance.  

Life Sciences PA appreciates the work of the Shapiro Administration to protect public health and ensure vaccine access to Pennsylvanians amid uncertain messages from the federal government.

Senate Majority Policy Committee Visit to Rockland Immunochemicals

July 28, 2025

Rockland Immunochemicals hosted Senator Tracy Pennycuick (R-24) and Senate Majority Policy Committee chairman, Senator Dave Argall (R-29) Monday, July 28. Life Sciences was honored to participate in this tour and appreciated the interest and engagement of Senators Pennycuick and Argall in the commonwealth’s life sciences ecosystem. Tours and direct discussions with life sciences companies are the best way for legislators to understand this vibrant and complex component of Pennsylvania’s economy, and to better understand how state government can contribute to the development of this innovative industry.

Allentown, PA – Governor Shapiro speaks at B. Braun during a press conference to announce a $20 million expansion at their facility.

Pennsylvania Economic Competitiveness Policy Roundtable

September 24, 2025

The newly formed Pennsylvania Economic Competitiveness Caucus hosted a policy roundtable at Pfizer in Montgomery County. The discussion focused on ways in which the General Assembly can incentivize investment in Pennsylvania’s life sciences ecosystem. This Caucus, which is bipartisan and bicameral, is hosting sector-specific discussions, like this one, to generate policy ideas that can obtain broad support from both the Pennsylvania House and Senate.

Thank you to two of the Caucus Co-Chairs, Representative Paul Friel and Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill, for leading the conversation. It was wonderful to be surrounded by many legislators as well as partners and members like the PA Chamber, Chester County Chamber, PACT, Johnson & Johnson, Spirovant, Medical Excellence Capital, Rockland Immunochemicals, Eli Lilly, Mineralys, Adare, and several others.