Policy, Innovation, and the Future of Life Sciences: Inside HINJ's 2026 Pulse
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Last week, We Work For Health Executive Director Dan Leonard participated in a panel at the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey's (HINJ) 2026 Pulse: Saving Lives Globally, Driving Our Economy Locally – a seminar designed to inform industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders about the state of New Jersey's life sciences sector and its leading role in advancing global health. The event took place at Middlesex College in Edison, New Jersey.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill delivered keynote remarks, highlighting the life sciences industry's significance to the state's economy and reaffirming her commitment to protecting the jobs it has created.
The panel, Growing New Jersey’s Innovation Economy: Federal and State Policy Impacts, explored the major challenges affecting the state’s health care innovation landscape – from university-driven research and workforce limitations to the influence of state and federal policy. Speakers examined how these policy frameworks shape New Jersey’s broader innovation ecosystem and underscored the essential role that sustained investment in research, talent, and manufacturing plays in strengthening the state’s competitiveness in the life sciences sector.
Leonard was joined by experts Michele Siekerka, President & CEO, NJBIA, Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D., President, Rowan University, Chris Paladino, President, DEVCO, William F. Tate IV, Ph.D., President, Rutgers, and Cyndie Williams, Executive Director, Carpenter Contractor Trust.
Leonard addressed key challenges facing the U.S. life sciences sector, including rising competition from China, the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the ongoing debate over most favored nation (MFN) pricing, issues with far-reaching implications for both New Jersey and the nation.
The event served as a valuable forum for collaboration among opinion leaders and industry experts united in their efforts to preserve American leadership in the biopharma sector and safeguard life-saving treatments for patients.
We Work For Health is grateful for our fantastic partners at HINJ for gathering this important and timely discussion.
For more information on the event and New Jersey's biopharma industry, check out these resources: