San Diego’s life sciences industry threw its support behind Rep. Scott Peters, with the influential trade group Biocom endorsing his re-election to a third term.
“Our endorsement committee, which interviewed both candidates in this race, was particularly impressed by Congressman Peters’ depth of understanding of the issues facing the industry as well as his track record of effective advocacy for matters important to this critical sector of California’s economy,” said Joe Panetta, president and chief executive officer of Biocom.
Peters has made increased funding for the National Institutes of Health a top priority and was outspoken in opposing a House bill that would have made it harder to defend life sciences patents.
Peters, a Democrat, faces Republican Denise Gitsham in the race to represent the 52nd District, which covers Coronado, La Jolla, much of the city of San Diego, and Poway.
Biocom has 800 industry members representing 50,000 local jobs in biotechnology, medical equipment and other life sciences.