CHI Bulletin – May 1, 2008 – Vol. 14, No. 8

CHI Celebrates 15 Year Anniversary in Washington, D.C.
Congressional members and staff turned out for CHI’s 15-year anniversary celebration, ROI: Return on Innovation, held in the historic Rayburn House Office Building in the Gold Room, April 23. CHI members mingled with federal legislators and staff, while viewing displays highlighting the innovations that have come from companies and universities in California since the birth of our industry in the 1970s. Later that evening, CHI honored Congressman Mike Thompson for his thoughtful leadership in advancing biomedical science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device innovation. The award was presented by CHI Chairman Henry L. Nordhoff, chairman and chief executive officer, Gen-Probe, Incorporated. In his acceptance speech, Thompson talked about our industry’s need to build stronger political support to achieve its goals of continuing innovation and improving access to advanced medicine. CHI thanks the sponsors of the reception, Abbott, Allergan, Amgen, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Bayer, Biogen Idec, Gen-Probe Incorporated, Genentech, Genzyme, Gilead Sciences, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Company, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi-Aventis.

CHI Elects New Board Members
Daniel O’Day , president and chief executive officer at Roche Molecular Diagnostics (RMD), located in Pleasanton, Calif., and Michael Onuscheck , president of the neuromodulation division of Boston Scientific Corporation located in Valencia, Calif., were elected to CHI’s board of directors at its second quarterly board meeting held April 24 in Washington D.C. Medical devices and molecular diagnostics are both important and growing sectors of our industry in California, and Roche and Boston Scientific are making major investments in our state. Their joining our board will help CHI address the increasing number and complexity of policy issues facing the device and diagnostics sectors.

A Conversation with George Shultz on Healthcare Reform
CHI members and leaders in California’s biomedical industry gathered at Stanford University this week for "A Conversation on Healthcare Reform and Income Security" with Former Secretary of State, George Shultz and John Shoven, director of Stanford’s Institute for Economic Policy Research, co-authors of Putting Our House in Order: A Guide to Social Security & Health Care Reform, moderated by Victor Fuchs, Stanford University professor of economics and health research policy, emeritus. Approaching the 2008 election, the staggering projected costs for America's largest entitlement programs—Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security—are the country’s critical domestic issue. Shultz and Shoven shared potential solutions to make these essential programs solvent, and to chart a course toward a system that provides adequate incomes for the elderly and universal access to healthcare. Audience members were able to share concern over striking a balance between making healthcare accessible, while advancing biomedical innovation and ensuring that the next generation of medical breakthroughs come to market and improve public health.

CHI would like to thank Fenwick & West, LLP for sponsoring the event and event hosts Henry L. Nordhoff, chairman and CEO, Gen-Probe, Incorporated, John Martin, president and CEO, Gilead Sciences, Ted Love, chairman and CEO, Nuvelo, and Philip Pizzo, dean, School of Medicine, Stanford University.

Events
Diagnostics Working Group
Date: Thursday, May 8, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: BD Biosciences, San Jose, Calif.
To focus on the increasing volume and complexity of policy issues facing California’s diagnostics firms, CHI is launching a new diagnostics working group. The group will provide a forum for CHI member regulatory affairs and policy staff to discuss and develop positions and activities surrounding diagnostics product regulatory approval and reimbursement, personalized medicine, and other issues of importance. Topics include proposals to modernize the regulatory process for in vitro diagnostics, issues regarding the 510(k) process, ASR regulation, comments and related activities surrounding the Secretary’s Advisory Committee of Genetics, Health, and Society (SACGHS) Draft Report on Oversight of Genetic Testing, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Draft Guidance on In Vitro Diagnostic Multivariate Index Assays (IVDMIA), and other public policy initiatives of interest to the diagnostics sector. To participate or for more information, contact Todd Gillenwater, CHI vice president- public policy (gillenwater@chi.org or 202-974-6313).

The Access Challenge: Building a Strong System of Care in LA County
Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles Third Annual Health Policy Summit
Date: Friday, May 9, 2008, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: The Center at Cathedral Plaza, Los Angeles, Calif.
Hear policy leaders address issues that impact the health of our communities. With looming federal and state healthcare cuts, and the proposed transition of county clinics, Los Angeles County’s healthcare system is bound for transformation. This year’s summit will explore Los Angeles’ changing health policy landscape and the fixes needed for our healthcare system to survive and flourish. Speakers will include Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, United States Congress, District 34 and Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, California State Senate, District 26. For more information, visit http://www.ccalac.org or contact Tim Perez (213-201-6519 or tperez@ccalac.org ).

Pursuit of Value for Medical Devices: Strategies for Collaboration
Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 to Thursday, May 22, 2008
Location: UCI Beckman Center, Irvine, California
Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA) and California Hospital Association are sponsoring this medical device conference to bring together leaders from hospitals, medical technology firms, physician organizations, and health insurance plans to discuss ways to improve coordination and align incentives among the principle stakeholders in the technology-intensive cardiac, orthopedic, and spine care services. Space is limited to 2 members per organization; priority registration will be given to CHA hospital members and IHA Board member organizations. Please contact Michelle DeNatale, Program Manager for Medical Technology, Integrated Healthcare Association, at 510-208-1740 or mdenatale@iha.org with any questions.

The Life Sciences Venture Forum
Date: May 30
Location: Santa Clara Convention Center
CHI is proud to support the 2008 Life Sciences Venture Forum. Now 14 years strong, the Venture Forum presents companies from Larta Institute's robust pipeline, including those funded by the National Institutes of Health and the most promising university spinouts from across the U.S. The companies are carefully selected by a panel of leading investors and subject matter experts to ensure that each presenting company offers a solid and profitable business opportunity. By special arrangement with Larta Institute, CHI members/partners/readers receive a 30% discount* off the registration fee. Register now and use coupon code CHIVF08 to take advantage of this special offer. A few limited exhibit-only opportunities exist for early-seed stage life science companies at the Venture Forum – visit www.theventureforum.com/exhibit for more information or to register.
*30% discount expires May 16, 2008

New Members
 
CHI would like to welcome new member, Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial products and services. For additional information, visit http://www.bankofamerica.com.

Richard (Rick) M. Bregman
President – Bank of America San Diego
Rick Bregman has more than 20 years of banking experience and oversees the bank’s specialized industry teams in the Western United States, leading a team of financial professionals, responsible for delivering comprehensive debt, treasury and capital markets solutions to healthcare, education and not-for-profit clients. He joined Bank of America via the Security Pacific Bank merger in 1992. Rick earned his bachelor’s degree in international economic management from Claremont McKenna College. He is a native of San Diego, having grown up and lived nearly his entire life in Point Loma. He is dual employed by Bank of America Securities as a series 7/24/63 licensed investment professional and principal.

Chris P. Giannotti, CFA
Senior Vice President, Healthcare Commercial Banking
Chris Giannotti is a senior vice president in the Bay Area healthcare commercial banking group with Bank of America, dealing with upper middle market companies that can utilize banking services beyond the traditional lending and treasury management functions. Giannotti joined the Bank in 1977, entering commercial banking in 1979. He earned his Bachelor of Science in commerce at Santa Clara University and a Masters in Business Administration in the Graduate School of Business at Santa Clara University.

To submit your company's news or story ideas, please contact Nicole Beckstrand at beckstrand@chi.org .

CHI represents more than 250 leading academic research, biotechnology, medical device and pharmaceutical organizations in California. CHI’s mission is to advance responsible public policies that foster medical innovation and promote scientific discovery.