The Biotechnology Industry Organization expects to have a new president by the end of the year following the retirement of Carl Feldbaum.

BIO's 13-member ¹ executive committee has formed a search committee and will retain an executive search firm to find a successor for Feldbaum, BIO announced Feb. 2. Feldbaum will remain with the association until a successor is named.

The current BIO board chairman is Alkermes CEO Richard Pops. Other officers include Biogen CEO James Mullen, Pfizer VP-Corporate Policy & Strategic Management Frederic Telling and Connetics CEO Thomas Wiggans.

BIO is searching for a new head at same time as the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America; PhRMA President Alan Holmer announced his plans to retire in January. PhRMA is apparently interested in Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.) for the top spot.

The election-year changes in the Bush Administration and on Capitol Hill will give BIO a fairly large pool of candidates with substantial Washington experience. Given the trade association's focus on emerging technology, it may also consider someone with scientific experience.

Feldbaum was named the first president of BIO in 1993 after it was formed by the merger of the two original biotech trade groups, IBA and ABC. Feldbaum, an attorney and former chief of staff to Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.), has an A.B. in biology from Princeton. He also founded a national defense "think tank" in Washington.

The passage of the Medicare drug benefit in 2003 marks an obvious transition point in the drug industry, and presents a high-note for Feldbaum to go out on.

"I have decided to retire at the end of 2004," Feldbaum said Feb. 2. "My wife, Laura, and I will be moving to Idaho to begin the next phase of our lives."

Feldbaum has overseen BIO's growth to more than 1,000 members, including large and small biotech companies involved in all aspects of research, ranging from therapeutics to genetically modified foods to counterterrorism.

Under Feldbaum's leadership, the association has been able to retain its reputation as an advocate for entrepreneurial science even as many of its members have grown into or been acquired by large pharma companies.

In searching for a new president, two policy issues are likely to be at the top of BIO's agenda. In the near term, implementation of the Medicare law is an obvious priority.

In the long term, discussion of "generic" biologics is likely to be the most important issue for the association.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) has repeatedly said that expansion of Medicare drug coverage makes some form of follow-on biologics process a necessity. FDA is preparing to release guidelines for expedited approval of some types of products this spring.

Among the other issues in the search is selecting a manager who can balance the demands of large and small member companies.

Feldbaum will become BIO's president-emeritus and may engage in speaking and advocacy on behalf of biotechnology.

- M. Nielsen Hobbs

BIO Will Have New President By End Of Year; Feldbaum Stepping Down

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