Biocom Announces 2014 Elected Official of the Year

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Oct 23, 2014, 02:15 ET

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Biocom, the association for the Southern California life science community, today announced that Congressman Scott Peters (D-52) will be honored as Biocom's 2014 Elected Official of the Year at the Biocom Celebration of Life Annual Dinner on November 20, 2014.

"It is my great pleasure to announce that Congressman Scott Peters will be our 2014 Elected Official of the Year," said Joe Panetta, President and CEO of Biocom. "During his two years in office, Congressman Peters has not only recognized the importance of the life science industry to his district, but has consistently used that platform to emphasize the importance of the industry to our nation."

"Congressman Peters made increased funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) a top priority in 2014. The NIH is a major source of funding for biomedical research for academic and non-profit institutions, and many of the world's top research facilities are in or adjacent to Congressman Peters' district. This year he has introduced legislation allowing increased research tax credits to incentivize and accelerate biomedical research, to provide tax credits for biofuel production, and to establish a Commission to quantify the overall health care savings that can be achieved through utilization of wireless health technologies."

The life science community is one of the economic cornerstones of the region, with a majority of the cluster located in the City of San Diego. It is one of the few local industries which continued to grow during the recession, and provides over 110,000 jobs, paying an average of $100,000 per employee per year.

"Our life science companies and research institutions make life-changing and life-saving discoveries every day and they are creating the high-skill jobs of the future for our children," said Rep. Scott Peters.
"It's been my honor to represent this critical industry in the U.S. Congress and I am grateful to Biocom and its board members for teaching me so much about what I can do to support this innovative work. I will continue to fight for investment in scientific research and for good legislation that helps pave the way for America's competitiveness in the life sciences."

Biocom's Annual Dinner is one of the association's premier flagship events; the dinner brings together the finest of the state's Life Science executives and leaders in a celebration of the year's achievements in the Life Sciences industry. With expected sold-out attendance of over 800, the city and state's life science and political elite will be in attendance at this prestigious event.

About Biocom

Biocom is one of the largest regional life science associations in the world, representing more than 600 member companies in Southern California. The association focuses on initiatives that position the region's life science industry competitively on the world stage, and on the development and delivery of innovative products that improve health and quality of life. For more information on Biocom or the Southern California biotechnology and medical device community, please visit the organization's Web site at http://www.biocom.org or call (858) 455-0300.

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SOURCE Biocom