SENATOR STACHOWSKI ANNOUNCES NEW REPORT SHOWING MORE THAN 700 MEDICINES AND VACCINES IN DEVELOPMENT BY NEW YORK BIOPHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES: Baseball Legend Darryl Strawberry Joins Stachowski To Speak About His Battle With Cancer

5/11/10

At a press conference today in Albany, Senator William T. Stachowski (D, Lake View) stood with leaders in the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and the New York Biotechnology Association (NYBA), a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to the development and growth of New York State-based biotechnology-related industries and institutions, as well as baseball legend, Darryl Strawberry, in an effort to showcase the role New York State is playing in the development of new medicines this year.

Pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies with a strong presence in New York are working on 726 medicines and vaccines for a wide range of medical conditions and diseases, including the leading causes of disease related deaths in America, a new report shows.  The 726 medicines being developed by companies with a presence in New York account for a quarter of all medicines being developed in the United States this year.

Senator Stachowski, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business, said, “This report outlines medicines in development to treat such diseases as heart disease, the leading cause of death in the state, cancer, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, influenza, pneumonia, mental illnesses, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, as well as other conditions.  It clearly demonstrates the competitiveness of New York State as a premier global location for biotechnology/biomedical research, education and industry.  Through the membership of 250 bioscience companies, world-class research institutes and related professional services, biotechnology professionals are able to access the information, resources and assistance they need to make their ventures a success right here in New York.”

 “I was sick at a young age.  Young man.  Athlete.  In great shape.  Diagnosed with colon cancer twice.  Playing baseball at the height of my career,” said former baseball star, Darryl Strawberry. “We have to bring hope,” he said when referring to the new medical technologies and medications being developed in New York. 
    
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America represents the country’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies.  PhRMA members alone invested an estimated $45.8 billion in 2009 in discovering and developing new medicines. Industry-wide research and investment reached a record $65.3 billion in 2009.