Making RI a major life sciences hub

RI Bio’s Advocacy Efforts

As the singular voice for the life sciences in RI and Southeastern New England, RI Bio has cultivated an active Legislative Committee comprised of leaders and experts in the field. During the legislation session, we provide testimony and advocate on behalf of our members and patients, keeping lawmakers apprised of the developments and changing needs of the industry. Each year, we host a Legislative Briefing to bring legislators and industry executives together to explore the issues most critical to the life sciences community.  We also have a voice in federal policies, leading a state delegation to participate in BIO’s annual Fly-In, an event that brings 1,000+ industry leaders to Washington to meet with legislators.

Committee goals include:

  • Helping RI Bio weigh in on legislation that affects the industry
  • Working successfully with the Rhode Island state legislature
  • Fostering relationships with industry patient advocacy groups
  • Elevating the profile of the Rhode Island life sciences industry and RI Bio

Incurable Diseases Op Ed

January 8, 2022
Click on the link below to view our Op Ed in the Providence Journal.

TRIPS Waiver Op Ed

December 7, 2022
Click on the link below to view our Op Ed on the expansion of the WTO TRIPS in the Boston Globe.

Letter to Congressional Delegation

September 27, 2022
Click on the link below to view our letter in opposition to the expansion of the WTO TRIPS to COVID-19 therapeutics and diagnostocs.

Meet the RI Bio Legislative Committee working to advance our advocacy and policy efforts.

Joni Arvai

Joni Arvai

Director, State Government Affairs, Bristol Myers Squibb

Martha Auster

Martha Auster

Regional Director, Government Affairs, Vertex

Caitlin Beresin

Caitlin Beresin

Director, US State Affairs, Johnson & Johnson

Stephen Burm

Stephen Burm

Director, State Government Affairs, Northeast Region, BIO

Ashley Calabrese

Ashley Calabrese

Associate Director, State Government Affairs, Novartis

Will Farrell

Will Farrell

Government Affairs Specialist, Contract Lobbyist, RI

Chris Kent

Chris Kent

Senior Manager, State Government Affairs, Amgen

Matt Meehan

Matt Meehan

Director, State Government Affairs, Pfizer, Inc.

Dmitri Siegel

Dmitri Siegel

Director, Alliance Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb