We Work For Health Washington Partners

Co-Chairs

Bob Drewel, Executive Director, Puget Sound Regional Council
Dr. Elson S. Floyd, President, Washington State University
Chris Rivera, President, Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association
Rogers Weed, Dir., Washington State Dept. of Community, Trade & Economic Development
Dr. Lee Huntsman, Exec. Dir., Life Sciences Discovery Fund; President Emeritus, U. of Washington

Business/Economic Development/Biopharmaceutical Partners

Amgen Inc., Tim Martin, Director of State Government Relations
Association of Washington Business, Don Brunell, President
Bayer Inc., Jim Hoover, Senior Regional Manager of State Government Affairs
The Blume Company, Bruce Blume, Chairman and CEO
CG Therapeutics Inc., Denise M. Harrison, President & CEO
Downtown Seattle Association, Kate Joncas, President
Economic Development Board of Tacoma-Pierce County, Bruce Kendall, CEO
Enterprise Seattle, Jeff Marcell, Executive Vice President
Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, George Allen, Sr. VP, Government Relations
Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Tayloe Washburn, Chair of the Board
King County Business Relations and Economic Development, George Northcroft, Director
Office of Governor Chris Gregoire, Marc Baldwin, Senior Policy Advisor
PhRMA
Seattle-Northwest Securities, Maud Daudon, CEO
Snohomish County Economic Development Council, Deborah Knutson, President
Vulcan Inc., Lyn Tangen, Director of Community and Government Relations
Washington Roundtable, Steven Mullin, President

Health Advocacy Groups

PATH, John Wecker, Ph.D., Global Program Leader Immunization Solutions
Washington Global Health Alliance, Lisa Cohen, Director

Research and Academic Institutions

Allen Institute for Brain Science, Elaine Jones, Chief Operating Officer
Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Michael Podlin, VP - Institutional Advancement
Washington Research Council, Al Ralston, President
Washington State University, John Gardner, Ph.D., VP for Economic Dev. & Global Engagement

Industry Impact

America’s biopharmaceutical sector helps to research, manufacture, distribute and promote innovative therapies that make a critical difference in the lives of millions of people. In the last ten years, scientists have discovered and developed more than 300 completely new medicines, vaccines and biologics approved by FDA.

The value of this sector, however, extends beyond life-enhancing advancements in medicine and includes great contributions to Washington’s economy. As vital economic partners, biopharmaceutical companies generate tax revenue, create high-paying jobs and provide growth opportunities for related industries and domestic labor. In fact:

• Biopharmaceutical companies supported a total of  63,983 jobs in Washington in 2008 - 17,777 directly in the sector and 46,206 in other sectors.
• Direct biopharmaceutical wages in Washington were estimated to be $990.7 million in 2008, resulting in an estimated $234.6 million in federal taxes.
• In 2010, U.S. scientists and researchers were conducting 15,134 studies to develop medicines targeting cancers, rare diseases and other important conditions. 1,490 of thse trials were active in Washington.
• In Washington, biopharmaceutical companies invested $1.1 billion in research and development of new medicines in 2008.

In addition, many biopharmaceutical companies provide philanthropic assistance in their local communities through support of access to affordable products, education, social services, arts and other community needs.

To learn more, download the fact sheet (PDF): The Biopharmaceutical Sector’s Impact on the Economy of Washington.