Q4 Newsletter 2024

AdvaMed MedTech Conference

Life Sciences PA joined colleagues from across the Country, sharing insights and recommendations with the State MedTech Alliance (SMTA), a consortium of state and regional trade associations representing their local medical technology companies. This annual conference provides a platform for keynote speakers, plenary sessions, and networking opportunities for sharing of best practices, promoting the industry, and advocating for public policies that support innovation.

PROPEL: The National Center for Precision Medicine U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Site Visit

The PROPEL Tech Hub welcomed leaders from the EDA Tech Hub team and key public officials to experience PROPEL’s momentum and potential for economic impact across the Greater Philadelphia region. A full day presentation included visits to LSPA member companies including Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Iovance and CHOP.

Federal Election Update

Many would argue Pennsylvania was ground zero in determining the presidential election outcome and both candidates spent considerable time and resources in the Keystone State. Ultimately, President-Elect Trump won Pennsylvania and the presidency and will be taking office January 20, 2025.

The Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation will also look different come January as Dave McCormick will be the state’s newest U.S. Senator, having defeated incumbent, three-term U.S. Senator Bob Casey. There are two new members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. Ryan Mackenzie, a Republican and former State Representative defeated Democratic incumbent Susan Wild in the 7th Congressional District and Rob Bresnahan, a Republican and former businessman, defeated Democratic incumbent Matt Cartwright. Over the course of the coming months, Life Sciences PA will be working closely with its members and federal policy committee to introduce these new federal officials to Pennsylvania’s life sciences ecosystem and the policies that incentivize investment in this industry.

Government Funding into 2025

Shortly before government funding expired December 20, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) that will extend federal government funding at current levels through March 14, 2025. This legislation received bipartisan support from the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation. Passage of this legislation avoided any immediate contingency plans needed for the NIH, CDC, and FDA.

Unfortunately, in the hours leading up to the final votes, Life Sciences PA Federal Policy Priorities that had been included in an earlier version of the bill were stripped from the deal. Those priorities included reauthorizations of the Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program (PPRV) and Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), as well as and increased scrutiny of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs).

Life Sciences PA will continue to work closely with national partners, member organizations and patient advocacy groups in support of these crucial policies that help incentivize investment in life sciences research and development.

State Political Update

In addition to the presidential race and federal delegation seats up for election in 2024, Pennsylvania had three statewide offices up for election, all the PA House of Representatives and half of the Pennsylvania Senate. With the largest full-time legislature in the country, Pennsylvania is home to an active political environment and 2024 was no different. However, outside of the open race for Attorney General, the commonwealth saw no change to the overall composition of its General Assembly.

 In the race for State Treasurer, incumbent Stacy Garrity (R) was seeking her second term against challenger Erin McClelland (D). Treasurer Garrity won by six percentage points. Incumbent Auditor General Tim Defoor (R), who was seeking his second term against State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta (D), also won by six percentage points. Finally, in the open race for state Attorney General, Dave Sunday (R) defeated Eugene DePasquale (D) by just over four percentage points.

 As for the General Assembly, the makeup looks exactly the same with Democrats controlling the House by a one-seat majority (102-101) and Republicans controlling the Senate with a four-seat majority (28-22).

Harrisburg, PA – State Representative Tim Briggs; PA House Health Committee Chair Dan Frankel; Dom Argento, Merck; Kurt Imhof, LSPA; and others join Governor Shapiro for a ceremonial bill signing of HB 2084.

Lehigh Valley Bus Tour

Life Sciences PA was thrilled to lead a legislative bus tour December 11 visiting several member companies in the Lehigh Valley. LSPA partnered with the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) to co-host this important program focused on providing legislators with a first-hand look at the innovative work occurring in their districts. Creating a business and policy climate that incentivizes research, development and manufacturing of novel medicines and technologies is core to what LSPA does, and these types of events ensure public officials understand how critical this work is to patients, and to the commonwealth’s economy.

Thank you to Thermo Fisher Scientific, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Ilico Genetics, Thread Bioscience, and B. Braun Medical, Inc. for welcoming legislators, staff and administration officials into their facilities.

Additional thank you to U.S. Congressman-Elect Ryan Mackenzie for taking part in the visits, along with State Senator Nick Miller, State Representatives Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, Bridget Kosierowski, Kyle Mullins, Steve Samuelson, Mike Schlossberg, and the offices of Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Lisa Boscola, Representative Jeanne McNeill and BusinessPA.

Open House

October 22, 2024 | king of prussia, PA

LSPA Members gathered in the Life Sciences Center connect with one another. Join us at the next Open House on January 28, 2025 to start the year strenthening your life sciences network.

Leadership panel on tap

November 12, 2024 | pittsburgh, PA

In partnership with Deloitte, this Operations Manual event in Pittsburgh provided educational programming followed by a cocktail reception where members were able to network and connect. 

patient summit

november 21, 2024 | Philadelphia, PA

Life Sciences Pennsylvania was honored to convene patient advocacy groups, legislators, and member organizations for its annual Patient Summit in Philadelphia. This event provided patient advocacy groups and public officials the opportunity to learn about exciting developments in the life sciences ecosystem and better understand the interaction between patients, innovators, payers and policy makers. Topics for the Summit were derived from feedback provided by the LSPA Patient Advocacy Groups and included an election recap, state and federal legislative updates and best practices for sharing your story with legislators.

The event began with a live recording of “Being a Life Sciences Leader” podcast and featured special guest Suzanna Masartis, the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Liver Alliance. Additional agenda components included a panel discussion on important legislative successes in Pennsylvania – biomarker testing and PBM reform – experiences from advocates sharing their personal stories to advance legislation, and a reception with legislators and legislative staff to conclude the Summit. LSPA will continue to ensure conversations around patient access to novel therapies remain central to engagement with public officials.

pittsburgh Holiday luncheon

december 10, 2024 | Pittsburgh, PA

At the historic TRYP by Wyndham LSPA members of the Pittsburgh metropolitan came together to connect with fellow life science professionals and celebrate the holidays. An afternoon with an amazing view of Pittsburgh skyline and cocktails made for a great way to ring in the holiday season.

CEO dinner (invite only)

december 11, 2024 | philadelphia, PA

Held at the Radnor Valley Country Club, the CEO Dinner welcomed leaders from across the Commonwealth for an intimate dinner and fireside chat featuring Rob Albert, CEO of B. Braun Medical. Rob has nearly 40 years of experience with B. Braun and revamped the production of critical IV fluids and medical devices in response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Attendees heard about his experience leading a global medical device company and connected with other industry professionals over dinner.

meet the leaders & holiday mixer hosted by the lspa board of directors

December 12, 2024 | King of Prussia, PA

To close out the year, LSPA hosted Meet the Leaders, featuring notable leaders like Ginger Constantine, MD, Chairperson, Co-founder & CEO of PleoPharma; Art Fratamico, President & CEO of Radiant Biotherapeutics; and David Yonce, CEO of Cogwear. Following the panel, attendees were invited to the Life Sciences Center for the annual Holiday Mixer hosted by the LSPA Board of Directors. Our last networking event of the year, LSPA members filled the space enjoying cocktails and shared connections before the year-end.