Our mission is to provide education and advocacy for Connecticut’s bioscience and life science communities at the policy level and ensure synergy of action and alignment of state and federal initiatives that have a significant impact on our members.
Click below to read BioCT’s 2024 Legislative Agenda, to ensure CT remains economically competitive for life sciences industries and jobs.
Government Affairs Committee
The Government Affairs Committee is comprised of BioCT board members, industry executives and business advisors including the government relations firm of Rome, Smith, Lutz & Kowalski, which has deep expertise in matters impacting our industry.
LEADERSHIP
Jodie Gillon
President & CEO,
BioCT
Christopher Smith
Partner,
Rome, Smith, Lutz & Kowalski
John Harkins
Vice President,
Rome, Smith, Lutz & Kowalski
government affairs committee
Joseph Oros
Director, State Government Affairs
AbbVie
Matthew O’Donnell
Senior Director, State Government Affairs,
Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease
Brian Rosen
Director, State Government Affairs, East
Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease
Stephen Burm
Director, State Government Affairs,
Northeast Region
BIO
Jennifer Herz
State Government Affairs, Regional Director,
Boehringer Ingelheim
Dmitri Siegel
Director, Alliance Development,
Bristol Myers Squibb
Joni Arvai
Senior Manager, State Government Affairs,
Bristol Myers Squibb
Karla White
State Government Affairs Manager, East Coast,
CSL Behring
Rich Horgan
Founder and CEO,
CURE Rare Disease
Kathy Andrews Bilotas
Director of State Government Affairs,
Eli Lilly
Bill Claffey
Partner, Tax Services,
Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina
Sandra Ribeiro
Director, State Government Affairs,
GSK
Lisa Roy
Director of Government & Community Relations,
The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine
John Kocinsky
Executive VP, Technical Opperations,
Mannkind
Kenneth Hiscoe
Government Relations Director,
Pfizer
Laura Ekas
SVP, Head of Corporate & Commercial Strategy,
Rallybio
Valerie Volpe
Federal Liason
Regeneron
Kathryn Lavriha
Director, State Government Relations,
Sanofi
Marie DeSanto Schweitzer
Director, Government Relations for Health Affairs,
University of Connecticut
Joann Lombardo
Senior Director, Governmental Relations,
University of Connecticut
Jillian Jackson
Associate Director of State Relations,
Yale University
Advocacy At the State Level
BioCT’s advocacy wins at the state level include:
- A $100 million-10-year stem cell research program, the first of its kind
- 6% tax credit for continuing research and development
- 20% tax credit for new research and development
- 65-cents-on-the-dollar refundable R&D tax credit
- Biopharma sales and use tax exemption
- 20 year net operating loss carry-forward period
- Bioscience Innovation Act, a $200 million fund for start-ups and entrepreneurs
- $1.5 billion Next Generation Connecticut legislation for strengthening STEM education
Advocacy at the Federal Level
Federal advocacy focuses on the continuing robustness of these agencies:
Testimony and Issues of Interest (recent posts)
testimonyon Bill 5014 – an act concerning the cap on research and development tax credits
February 27, 2023
BioCT respectfully requests that the committee amend the bill to: (1) increase the cash exchange rate for biotechnology companies from 65 percent to 100 percent; (2) increase the R&D tax credit rate from 70 percent to 100 percent for biotechnology businesses;
and (3) expand the R&D tax credit to include biotechnology S Corporations and LLCs.
BioCT Legislative agenda
January 24, 2023
HB 5488, An Act Concerning A Research and Development Expenses Tax Credit for Pass-Through Entities
March 25, 2022
We support the bill and respectfully ask for a modification of the existing language to expand the refund exchange from the current level of 65% to 90% as well as increase the current credit percentage from 70% to 90% for the biotech industry.
Fix Connecticut prescription costs in ways that help people directly
March 22, 2022
Rarely in our history has the power of science and innovation to keep our communities safe and healthy been in such clear focus.
statement in opposition to senate bill 260
March 8, 2022
We respectfully opposes SB 260, creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, tasked with reviewing prescription drug costs and setting upper payment limits for specified prescription drugs.
Testimony in Favor of Raised House Bill 5260 Public Health Committee An Act Establishing a Rare Disease Council
March 9, 2022
BioCT and our members are very supportive in passing this bill.
Testimony in Opposition to Bill SB 13- An Act Reducing Prescription Drug
Prices – Oppose
March 1, 2022
We recommend Connecticut be on the cutting edge and take a holistic approach to drug pricing that truly reduces patient out of pocket costs, while also supporting the entire bio/pharma industry and encourages continued innovation.
2021 Legislative End of Session Report
July 14, 2021
The Connecticut biopharmaceutical community opposes HB 6447. This bill does not address medicine affordability in a practical and effective way and would undermine biomedical research and development innovation.
May 12, 2021
We believe the legislation, though well-intentioned, is flawed on at least five fronts.
BioCT encourages the Biden Administration to work WITH the pharmaceutical industry, NOT set harmful precedents.
May 8, 2021
In the recent letter to President Biden from BIO’s President & CEO, Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, BIO suggests the establishment of a COVID Global Strategy for Harnessing Access Reaching Everyone (SHARE) Program, to be implemented immediately.
Senate Bill 1099- AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR A RESEARCH FACULTY RECRUITMENT AND HIRING PROGRAM BY THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT TO ENCOURAGE THE CREATION OF NEW BUSINESS VENTURES-SUPPORT
April 20, 2021
On behalf of BIO, BioCT and our Board of Directors, as shown, we are writing in support of SB 1099, An Act Authorizing Bonds of the State for a Research Faculty Recruitment and Hiring Program by the University of Connecticut To Encourage the Creation of New Business Venture.