BIO is much needed, and needs to change: survey results

BioCentury’s survey shows the community values the organization but is dissatisfied with its recent performance, direction

BIO holds an important place in the biotech community, according to BioCentury’s survey, but it has not delivered recently on its priorities, and many feel it’s lost sight of its core mission.

The last year has been a rocky one for BIO, with the fallout of pandemic-related layoffs, internal discontent and high-level departures, culminating in the ouster of CEO Michele McMurray-Heath after only two years in the position. 

Rachel King has stepped in as interim president and CEO, and aims to right the ship as it searches for a new permanent head.

BioCentury surveyed the biotech community to assess how the trade organization is viewed among both members and non-members, asking how relevant it is to company leaders, what its role and priorities should be, and what they are looking for in the next CEO.

The results, in the slide deck below, which is also available for download as a pdf, indicate that BIO holds an important place in the ecosystem. However, its failure to influence Congress and prevent or curb the drug pricing provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act have brought heavy criticism, and many respondents feel the organization has become overly focused on large pharmas, straying from its mission to serve small and medium-sized biotechs. The next CEO, they say, must mix policy chops with an insider’s knowledge of drug development. Above all, a good communicator is needed, who can not only connect with members, but lead the organization to rebuild the industry’s reputation among the public.