Meehan Talks Lifesaving Medical Research in SEPA

Press Release

Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07) today joined experts from the life sciences industry in the Delaware Valley for a roundtable discussion on expanding access to clinical research trials. Today marks the first day of the inaugural National Clinical Trials Awareness Week.

"The life sciences are a crucial pillar of our local economy," said Congressman Meehan. "Biomedical research supports more than 200,000 jobs here in Pennsylvania, most of them right here in the Delaware Valley. Clinical trials are a major part of the research process and can account for as much as half of the cost of developing a new drug. More than 1,000 of these trials are ongoing in Pennsylvania today," Meehan said.

"Expanding clinical trials in our area will strengthen Pennsylvania's position at the forefront of lifesaving medical research and give residents access to groundbreaking new medications. It means more jobs and more investment in our regional economy. Legislative initiatives like the House's "21st Century Cures' have the potential to accelerate this research and make real progress in tackling conditions that affect millions of Americans. Today's event was an opportunity to learn more about the clinical trial process, the oversight and protections in place for patients and what it will take to bring more trials to our region," Meehan said.

Nearly 6,500 clinical trials have been conducted by the life sciences industry in Pennsylvania since 2014.

"Congressman Meehan has been a champion for the life sciences in Pennsylvania," said Christopher P. Molineaux, President and CEO of Pennsylvania BIO. "We thank Congressman Meehan for his appreciation of medical research and the nearly 6,500 clinical trials conducted right here in Pennsylvania over the past decade. With his leadership, our Commonwealth will continue to lead in biomedical innovation."

"The biopharmaceutical industry has conducted and continues to conduct thousands of clinical trials to help address some of Pennsylvania's biggest health care challenges," said Chuck Clapton, Senior Vice President for Federal Advocacy for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

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