MichBio Hosts Double-Header at the Capitol: Advancing Bioscience Policy and Partnerships
MichBio welcomed Michigan legislators, staff, and industry leaders to Lansing last week for a pair of back-to-back events highlighting the importance of the state’s bioscience sector and the policies that support innovation and patient impact. Bioscience Legislative Caucus Briefing: Focus on Rare Skeletal Disorders
On March 3, MichBio hosted a Bioscience Legislative Caucus briefing centered on Advancing Support for Rare Skeletal Conditions Community, a clinical area that underscores both the promise and urgency of bioscience innovation. The briefing provided legislators and staff with insight into the challenges facing patients and caregivers that require scientific, clinical, and policy considerations for treating rare skeletal disorders that affect many in Michigan and nationally. Caucus co-chair Rep. Julie Rogers kicked off the briefing with a warm welcome.
Attendees heard from Michigan State Rep. Jason Morgan - a patient living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy, Terri Klein - CEO of the National MPS Society, Dr. Elizabeth Ames, PhD, MD - a University of Michigan Professor and clinician in rare diseases, and Gwyneth Drabek, a graduate student, podcast host and patient advocate living with Achondroplasia
MichBio extends special thanks to BioMarin, National MPS Society and the Skeletal Conditions Advocacy Coalition for their partnership in pulling together the briefing.
The session reinforced the importance of continued collaboration between policymakers, researchers, clinicians, and industry partners to accelerate treatments for rare conditions and to maintain Michigan’s leadership in advancing life-changing therapies.
Annual MichBio Legislative Welcome Reception
Later the same day, MichBio hosted its Legislative Welcome Reception, a now annual tradition that provides an opportunity for members of the Michigan bioscience community to connect informally with legislators and staff at the start of the legislative season. We’re most grateful to the well over a hundred registrants who joined us.
The reception created a vibrant space for dialogue about the sector’s impact across the state - from life-saving therapeutics and diagnostics to medical technologies and the high-quality jobs the industry supports. These conversations help foster a deeper understanding of the role bioscience companies, research institutions, and innovators play in strengthening Michigan’s economy and improving patient outcomes.
MichBio is grateful for the generous support of the event’s sponsors: Takeda, AdvaMed, Merck, and Genentech, whose commitment helps make meaningful engagement between industry and policymakers possible, and thanks Kelley Cawthorne for their hospitality and help in making the event such a success.
Building Stronger Connections for Michigan Bioscience
Together, the caucus briefing and the legislative reception demonstrated the value of sustained engagement between Michigan’s bioscience community and its elected leaders. These interactions ensure that policymakers are informed about the breakthroughs, challenges, and opportunities shaping the sector - and that innovators have a voice in the policy conversations that affect their work.
We look forward to continuing these conversations throughout the year as MichBio works with legislators and executive leadership to support innovation, strengthen Michigan’s life sciences ecosystem, and ultimately improve the lives of patients across the state.
