Biocom, the leading trade association for the California life sciences industry, described as “disastrous” cuts in medical research funding proposed in the Trump Administration’s federal budget.
The budget outline released last week proposed to cut the budget of the National Institutes of Health by $5.8 billion, or almost 20 percent.
“An overall cut of the magnitude proposed by the White House would be disastrous to the ability of research institutions, academic campuses, and small companies throughout California to continue to be a primary driver of the state’s economy. The cuts would affect jobs throughout the state, stymie medical innovation, and delay the development of new treatments and cures,” said Joe Panetta, president and CEO of Biocom.
California received$3.69 billion in NIH funding in the most recent federal fiscal year.
“Biocom is ready to fully engage with our California Congressional delegation of 55 members to impress upon them that it is crucial that they come together to support a robust NIH budget which will allow our life science community to continue to deliver on our promise to bring to market the life-saving products for which we have developed a reputation for more than 40 years,” Panetta said.
House Speaker Paul Ryan said Sunday he expects changes to Trump’s federal budget proposal, especially in the area of medial research, as Congress debates the numbers.