Bioterror incentives bill introduced
Sens. Tim Hutchinson (R-Ark.) and Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) introduced legislation intended to provide incentives for the biotech and pharmaceutical industries to develop biological defense products. The Pathogen Research, Emergency Preparedness and Response Efforts Act of 2001 (S 1635) incorporates suggestions from the Biotechnology Industry Organization and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. It instructs the federal government to create a list of chemical and biological agents and toxins likely to be used as weapons and to award contracts, grants and technical assistance to industry and academic scientists to develop counter-measures.
The bill provides antitrust exemptions that allow companies and trade associations to work together to develop anti-bioterrorism products; indemnifies companies from liability associated with use of products for bio-defense; and mandates the establishment of new fast-track approval procedures at FDA for bio-defense products based on animal efficacy data. ...