For Immediate Release
Contact: Ryan Hohman, JD,
Managing Director, Policy & Public Affairs
at rhohman@focr.org or 202.944.6708
Washington, DC (May 1, 2015) – Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) congratulates Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), along with their colleagues, for advancing the 21st Century Cures initiative with the release of draft legislation that puts patients before politics.
This bipartisan effort should be applauded by all in the community, and serve as a model for how all sectors can come together to develop consensus-driven solutions to advance science, research and care.
The commitment to invest in our country’s scientific and regulatory infrastructure is clear in many areas throughout the bill. This is especially promising in sections that build a framework for patient-focused drug development, improve tools to better evaluate and advance precision medicine, modernize and streamline clinical trials, and support research and young scientists.
“Through the exceptional leadership of Rep. Upton & Rep. DeGette, the tireless work of the Energy & Commerce Committee staff, and a robust dialogue with researchers, FDA, NIH, advocates and industry, this legislative draft is taking significant steps toward creating a strong foundation to spur innovation,” said Ellen Sigal, Chair & Founder of Friends.
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About Friends of Cancer Research
Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) is our country’s leading voice in advocating for policies and solutions that will get treatments to patients in the safest and quickest way possible. Friends develops groundbreaking partnerships and creates a more open dialogue among both public and private sectors and tears down the barriers that stand in the way of conquering cancer. Working with federal health agencies, congressional leadership, academic research centers, and private sector industry, Friends continues to create innovative educational, policy, and scientific approaches to improve health outcomes and cancer care. For more information please visit www.focr.org.
