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
Director, State Government Affairs, Bristol Myers Squibb
Martha Auster
Regional Director, Government Affairs, Vertex
Caitlin Beresin
Director, US State Affairs, Johnson & Johnson
Stephen Burm
Director, State Government Affairs, Northeast Region, BIO
Ashley Calabrese
Associate Director, State Government Affairs, Novartis
Will Farrell
Government Affairs Specialist, Contract Lobbyist, RI
Chris Kent
Senior Manager, State Government Affairs, Amgen
Matt Meehan
Director, State Government Affairs, Pfizer, Inc.
Dmitri Siegel
Director, Alliance Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb