Georgia Life Sciences Joins National Coalition Urging Congressional Action on Key Innovation Policies

Georgia Life Sciences has joined 43 state and regional life sciences organizations in signing a national Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) letter calling on Congress to take immediate action on three bipartisan policy priorities that are essential to sustaining U.S. leadership in biomedical innovation and supporting patients nationwide. With Congress back in session and several critical programs at risk of expiring, the letter urges congressional leaders to advance the following provisions without delay:

1. Reauthorize the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PPRV) Program

The PPRV program has been instrumental in incentivizing the development of therapies for children with rare and life-threatening conditions. Its lapse threatens to slow or halt research that families across the country are counting on.

2. Extend the SBIR/STTR Programs

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide crucial early-stage capital for emerging biotech and medtech companies-many of them in Georgia. Without reauthorization, hundreds of innovative small businesses face uncertainty, jeopardizing new therapies, diagnostics, and technologies in the pipeline,

3. Advance PBM Transparency Reforms

Greater transparency and accountability within pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices are needed to ensure that savings reach patients and employers. Reforming PBM operations is essential to strengthening access and affordability across the healthcare system.

A Unified Message from the Life Sciences Community

The sign-on letter reflects broad, bipartisan alignment across the national life sciences ecosystem: researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, patient advocates, and state associations all share a common message-these programs underpin America's global competitiveness and are vital to patients who rely on continued scientific progress.

Georgia Life Sciences has shared the letter with members of Georgia's congressional delegation and will continue engaging with policymakers to emphasize the importance of swift action.