SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week, California Life Sciences Association (CLSA) honored Senators Richard Pan, M.D. (D-Sacramento), Janet Nguyen (R-Garden Grove) and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) with the “2016 Life Sciences Champion” award in acknowledgement of their thoughtful leadership and resolute efforts towards advancing biotechnology, biomedical science, pharmaceutical and medical device innovation in California during the past year.
“On behalf of California’s statewide life sciences sector – a community employing nearly 300,000 Californians – we are pleased to recognize these distinguished legislators for their leadership that has been instrumental in nurturing California’s treasured life sciences sector.”
The 2016 Life Sciences Champion Awards were presented by CLSA President and CEO Sara Radcliffe at the organization’s 2017 Back to Session reception in Sacramento. CLSA is California’s largest and most influential life sciences advocacy and business leadership organization representing California’s leading life sciences innovators.
“Senators Richard Pan and Janet Nguyen and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher have time and time again shown their firm commitment and dedication to promoting sound public policy for the advancement of California’s life sciences innovation ecosystem,” said Sara Radcliffe, CLSA’s President and CEO. “On behalf of California’s statewide life sciences sector – a community employing nearly 300,000 Californians – we are pleased to recognize these distinguished legislators for their leadership that has been instrumental in nurturing California’s treasured life sciences sector.”
Senator Richard Pan, M.D. (D-Sacramento):
“As a pediatrician and a state senator, I have witnessed the tremendous benefits of medical research in improving people’s lives and I am advocating for public policies to improve the health of all Californians,” said Senator Richard Pan, M.D. “I’m grateful to receive this award, and I am excited to partner with the California Life Sciences Association and the biomedical community to support innovation and ensure access to treatments and cures that improve and save lives in California.”
Senator Janet Nguyen (R-Garden Grove):
“The life sciences industry in California has made great contributions to the healthcare field; enhancing the quality of life of residents through improvements in patient health; an area which I have worked hard to strengthen in my capacity as a State Legislator,” said Senator Janet Nguyen. “As a whole, the life sciences industry is robust in California, with over 3,000 companies employing nearly 300,000 Californians, including 43,000 in and around Orange County. With their main focus being that of patient care through innovation and evidence based research, it is important that California support the growth of the life sciences economy by developing and advancing thoughtful policies that will ensure the vibrancy of the industry. I am humbled to receive this award and thank the California Life Sciences Association for their continued leadership in promoting the life sciences in California.”
Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego):
“California’s life sciences sector is a powerful asset to our state and our people. Not only does the industry employ upwards of 38,000 San Diegans in and around my district, it is driving gains for patient care to address serious unmet medical conditions,” said Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher. “I look forward to continue working with life sciences companies and others throughout the health care world to identify progressive policies and solutions that create access to patient care that is both affordable and high-quality.”
Photos available upon request. Please contact Will Zasadny, CLSA’s Associate Director of Communications (wzasadny@califesciences.org or 619-961-8848) for more information.
To learn more about California’s life sciences industry, visit www.CALifeSciencesIndustry.com.
About California Life Sciences Association (CLSA)
California Life Sciences Association (CLSA) is the state’s largest and most influential life sciences advocacy and business leadership organization. With offices in Sacramento, San Diego, South San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington DC, CLSA works closely with industry, government, academia and others to shape public policy, improve access to innovative technologies and grow California’s life sciences economy. CLSA serves biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostics companies, research universities and institutes, investors and service providers throughout the Golden State. CLSA was founded in 2015 when the Bay Area Bioscience Association (BayBio) and the California Healthcare Institute (CHI) merged. Visit CLSA at www.califesciences.org, and follow us on Twitter @CALifeSciences, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
