By Donald Zuhn --
Insmed Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in Richmond, Virginia, announced today that it has retained the former Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Bill Thomas (at right), as a strategic advisor in its continuing effort "to bring follow-on biologics to U.S. customers and consumers." The former Representative from California, who served in the House for twenty-eight years and headed the Ways and Means Committee from 2001-2007, noted that during his time in Congress he "helped lay the groundwork to allow biologic competition from follow-on biologics," and was "excited to partner with Insmed to continue that fight." He also argued that "[g]iven the rising costs of healthcare, Congress needs to pass legislation creating a pathway for follow-on biologics," since such legislation would lead to competition and "foster innovation and benefits for consumers."
As we reported in February, Insmed launched a campaign earlier this year to publicize the importance of establishing a regulatory pathway in the U.S. for follow-on biologics. As a developer of follow-on biologics, Insmed has more than a passing interest in convincing Congress to pass follow-on biologics legislation. Noting that Insmed has released data demonstrating the bioequivalence of INS-19 and Neupogen® in Phase I clinical trials (see Patent Docs report), Insmed President and CEO Dr. Geoffrey Allan stated that the company wanted "to demonstrate to Washington policymakers that the capability to produce safe, effective and more affordable biologics exists today," and that Insmed's partnership with Chairman Thomas would help it do so.
For additional information regarding this and other related topics, please see:
• "Insmed Announces Bioequivalent G-CSF Biologic," July 10, 2008
• "Dr. Robert Shapiro Discusses Follow-on Biologics Report," February 19, 2008
• "Insmed Announces National Awareness Campaign Regarding Follow-on Biologics," February 13, 2008
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