Biotech budget footnotes

WASHINGTON - Orin Hatch (R-Utah), introduced the Orphan Drug Act of 1997 (S. 293) to make permanent the Orphan Drug tax credit. The bill was co-sponsored by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.). Reps. Nancy Johnson (R-Conn.) and Robert Matsui (D-Calif.) introduced similar legislation in the House last year and Hatch said he is confident they will do so again soon.

President Clinton's budget proposal calls for a one-year extension of the Orphan Drug tax credit, which is set to expire May 31. It was the first time in three years that the administration has called for extending the credit...