WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the Accelerating Biomedical Innovation Act, which would establish a network of universities to work with the private sector on the development of FDA-regulated products that could be used to combat potential public health emergencies:

“The COVID-19 pandemic made clear that we need to be well-equipped to respond quickly when public health is at risk,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would advance the development of lifesaving products like vaccines, therapeutics, and prescription drugs by harnessing the power of academic research institutions in Texas and across the country, and I urge my Senate colleagues to support it.” 

“One of the many crucial lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of investing in countermeasure technologies—such as vaccines, tests, treatments, and personal protect equipment—that can save lives,” said Sen. Kaine. “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation would support the university research we need to stay at the cutting edge of those technologies, and help ensure that the University of Virginia and UVA Health remain leaders in innovation, development, and patient care for years to come.”

Background:

Per the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), medical countermeasures (MCMs) are FDA-regulated products, such as biologic products, drugs, and devices, which may be used in the event of a potential public health emergency. This legislation would establish the Center for Biomedical Innovation and Development program at academic research institutions to accelerate biomedical innovation by creating a network of universities that can collaborate and use their expertise to work with companies on the development of MCMs rather than competing with each other. Texas A&M and the University of Virginia are among leading academic research institutions developing advanced biomedical manufacturing capabilities and workforce training to prepare for emerging public health threats.