John F. Crowley’s Post

FIRST 100 DAYS...and now a "BIO" BREAK and a FAMILY ROAD TRIP...! I'm just past 100 Days as BIO's CEO. Since our great convention in San Diego a few weeks back, in the last few weeks I also have traveled to Chicago and Boston to visit with dozens of biotechnology and government leaders. In the past 100+ Days now, I've traveled out of DC about a dozen times to various cities to visit with leaders and hear/see all of the incredible work in our industry, from our largest companies like AstraZeneca, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, to dozens of smaller emerging biotechnology companies. There is so much hope, amazing science and passionate entrepreneurs in biotechnology. In Boston, I was honored last week to deliver the keynote address at the annual American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) breakfast gathering at Fenway Park. We heard from cancer survivors who passionately advocated for legislation for biomarker testing for all cancers. Massachusetts hopes to join other states who have mandated this important and life-saving requirement for insurance coverage. #biomarkers And after a busy first 100 days, we at Biotechnology Innovation Organization are taking this week over the 4th of July week for a mid-year "BIO-BREAK." A chance to spend time with family and friends. The Crowleys are today driving back to DC in our family van to spend a few days with the 4th of July festivities and fireworks! Pictured here, Megan and I at a rest stop taking a selfie, with Aileen giving a wave (LOTSA traffic!) and granddaughter Stella overjoyed with a Happy Meal at McDonalds. This is why we do what we do....to help all families have more time like this..... Here is a good piece summarizing my first 100 Days at BIO....so privileged to lead this tremendous team at BIO. https://lnkd.in/eFSAzbph (And here's the first paragraph of the above story....). The Biotechnology Innovation Organization’s CEO John Crowley isn’t shying away from the tough tasks. With only a little more than three months at the helm of the world’s largest biotech advocacy group, the leader has already implemented a wide-scale restructure and taken a firm stance with Congress regarding U.S. biosecurity. “I'm just past day 100,” John Crowley told Fierce Biotech in an interview at the Portal Innovations & Chan Zuckerberg BioHub Chicago. “It’s been busy—you want to come into any new position with a sense of urgency that reflects the importance of the mission.”  The rare disease advocate and biotech founder stepped into the top role in early March, taking the reins from former interim CEO Rachel King. Crowley has also been a member of BIO’s board for more than a decade. John Flavin John Conrad Portal Innovations, LLC Karen Knudsen MBA PhD

MAKE YOUR BED… another incredible day here at #bio2024. On the main stage today, I hosted a fireside conversation with Admiral Bill McRaven, former four-star Navy SEAL Admiral who lead special operations forces at every level, including the capture of Saddam Hussein, the rescue of Captain Phillips and the raid on Osama bin Laden. His 2014 Commencement Address at the Univ of Texas has had over 50 million views (“Make Your Bed!”). We discussed today leadership and geopolitics. On leadership, the Admiral advised to make sure that all of one’s actions and decisions are moral, legal, and ethical at all times. And we discussed Hope. And persistence. At one point, the Admiral turned to me and asked: “When did you decide to stop for your kids, John?” I responded simply “We persisted.” The Admiral then stated “Exactly. And I think the work that you’re all doing in biotechnology is incredibly noble and honorable and when you believe in it, you don’t ever stop.” Admiral McRaven is the epitome of servant leadership, and a national treasure. We were honored to have him here today, as I was honored to serve under his command in the Navy. Also a great discussion on the main stage with Jason Kelly, chairman of the National Security Commision on Emerging Biotechnology who described very clearly and passionately why biotech is a critical asset for the United States and our allies. Finished the day today with another fireside chat with FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf. #hope #persistence #biotechnology #NavySEAL

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM…what an amazing third day at #Bio2024 Convention here in San Diego. Over 19,000 people from around the world converging all focused on Biotechnology, patients, communities and on our mutual mission to “Heal, Fuel and Feed” the world. Thank you to Aaron Lazar for sharing with us “The Impossible Dream” from his ALS diagnosis two years ago and his journey from actor and Broadway star to being such a powerful advocate and inspiration. And to Viola Davis who with Brooke Baldwin reminded us all so powerfully what it means to be a loving and caring human being. Blessed as well to have so many patient advocates here and leaders in this industry, like visionary leader Bob Bradway CEO of Amgen. And my morning started with a breakfast with patient advocates. Our North Star…and our reason WHY. Always… #hope #science #technology #life #impossibledream

JOY. PRIDE. HOPE. I was at the University of Notre Dame last weekend to attend the commencement exercises there and also at its sister school, Holy Cross College at Notre Dame. I left filled with such joy, pride… and hope. Let me explain why. We watched as our son John Jr was there to participate in commencement exercises and receive his Associate of Arts degree. As many of you know, John lives with high functioning autism and worked hard while at Holy Cross to complete his degree. He finished his studies in December 2019. He wasn’t able due to Covid to have a commencement and missed his class commencement the following year, but we surprised him a few days before graduation weekend last week to let him know that he would indeed be walking with cap and gown. He’s married now with a nearly 2-year-old daughter, our granddaughter Stella. As is tradition at Holy Cross they processed under an arch and Stella saw John, yelled “Daddy!” and ran and jumped into his arms. There could not have been a more fitting way to imagine John completing his degree than for Stella and his wife Amanda to be there with open arms. He may be the last of the Covid graduates in America to actually walk a graduation ceremony, but it was worth the wait. That was Saturday. On Sunday we we’re at the Notre Dame commencement exercises to watch our niece Clare graduate. It was a glorious day. At the nation’s leading Catholic University, the invocation was delivered by the salutatorian, Shahker Mohammed Erbini. A Muslim American born in Damascus Syria. He began “Oh God, creator of the heavens and of the Earth…” The Valedictorian, Isabela Tasende, is from Panama City, Panama. She graduated with a 4.0 and founded a women’s shelter in Panama. University President Father John Jenkins, who is retiring this year, delivered the commencement address. He urged the graduates to pursue the values of toleration and openness to others, and to resist the temptation to demonize others and to engage in passionate yet always respectful debate on important issues. An Honorary Doctorate was bestowed upon a biotechnology researcher in industry whose work has led to highly effective treatments that for many living with Cystic Fibrosis have given new life. And across campus, there was bunting in red, white and blue and American and military flags over the east door of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, where this week marks the 100th anniversary of the engraving of the words “God, Country, Notre Dame”. There were no disruptive protests. There was no antisemitism. There was no anti-Muslim rhetoric. There was just immense Pride. Joy. And Hope. I know there are many universities that had similar experiences this graduation season. This gives me such great hope in the future of this generation. And of places and people who let that hope flourish. #pride #hope #joy

THIS WAS MY DAD… an Englewood New Jersey police Sergeant, in a picture taken just a few months before he died while on duty in a tragic car accident, January 12, 1975. I was 7 years old. Today is “National Peace Officer’s Memorial Day” created by proclamation signed by John F. Kennedy in 1962 to honor American law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. This whole week is National Police Week which in Washington DC brings thousands of police officers together to honor the Fallen— including so many family members many of whom have just recently suffered such a tragic loss. Already this year nationwide 58 police officers have died from duty related incidents, including 21 shot and killed and 13 in car accidents. On my way to the airport yesterday in DC, I stopped at the Memorial to visit briefly. My dad’s name is among the thousands engraved on the memorial wall. A lifetime missed… As captured at the entrance to the Memorial “The wicked flee when no man pursueth. But the righteous are bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1. #duty #honor #sacrifice #nogreaterlove

“SO, DAD, WHAT EXACTLY IS IT THAT YOU DO NOW…?” Ever get this question from your kids? I did this last Sunday night at our family dinner. For 20+ years as a biotech entrepreneur building companies focused on making medicines for rare diseases, our kids knew exactly what Dad did. In my new role as CEO at BIO they get that we are the trade association for the entire biotechnology industry with the focus on advocacy and policy to advance biotechnologies for all. But they didn’t quite get “what” I do day to day….so I described my last week here in DC. Meeting by zoom with 80+ Biotech CEOs on the BIO CEO Forum… Delivering comments to the annual DC meeting of the California Life Sciences Association… Speaking at the 20th anniversary of Project BioShield on Capitol Hill… Speaking at the US Chamber of Commerce on a panel on U.S.-China business….a fireside chat with the editor of “The Hill” on the Future of Cancer Care. Meeting with members of Congress on the BIOSecure Act. Working with our teammates in our offices at BIO on a host of biotech programs and initiatives. I described all of this…and their comment? “That’s great. Glad you finally get to wear all those suits and ties again….” Kids….! Into week 11 now at BIO and so very grateful for this opportunity. #FeedFuelHeal #hope #science #biotechnology

BIOSECURE ACT...as many of you know, our team at BIO has been working tirelessly on this legislation and in a remarkable showing of bipartisanship last night the U.S. House of Representatives published the draft text of the "BioSecure Act" in advance of important votes next week.  Here is the statement of gratitude and support that I issued last night on behalf of the biotechnology industry.   The BIOSECURE bill released in the House today reinforces the national security imperative of the biotechnology industry as a critical strategic asset of the United States of America. It highlights a key vulnerability in our global supply chain and importantly provides a reasonable timeframe for companies to decouple their reliance on China-based biomanufacturing. It ensures during this transition that important biomedical research will not be slowed and that patients will have unimpeded access to life saving medicines.  BIO applauds this work and supports this BIOSECURE legislation. On behalf of our member companies and the patients we represent and serve, BIO thanks the bill sponsors and the Committees for taking into consideration the findings of our recently released survey on key elements of the global supply chain. We will continue work with lawmakers on future policies that promote the U.S. as the global leader in biotechnology and as the medicine chest of the world. We look forward to advancing the extraordinary and coordinated policies and programs necessary to redomicile all key parts of the global biopharmaceutical supply chain here in the U.S. for the benefit of the American public and for the entire world.

BIO PATIENT PERSPECTIVES… What if you were in your 20s, laying in the ICU and a doctor said “I’m sorry, there is nothing more we can do…” and a priest conferred your last rites…. In our continuing series of in person discussions with our entire organization here at BIO today we hosted my great friend Dr. David Fajgenbaum. This was David’s situation more than a decade ago. From Georgetown football quarterback and UPenn medical student to a patient laying on death’s doorstep. Many of you know the story…that from those six months in the ICU and several more life threatening crises, David took matters into his own hands. He didn’t sit back and hope for a miracle. He made one. And after his own personal research and testing, he found an existing medicine that he and his doctors repurposed into a drug that saved his life from the rare and devastating Castleman disease. Read his book to hear more about this journey. “Chasing My Cure.” As a physician scientist David now leads a research team of 20+ at UPenn and has launched “EVERY CURE” a not for profit that just received a nearly $50M NIH grant to use AI and other models to find more existing medicines to treat more diseases. Repurposing medicines that are generic, or branded drugs not being investigated for possible other uses, and sharing data collaboratively are at the heart of David’s mission. The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry can partner to share our knowledge with David to advance his work and to change so many lives ahead. Because the days of a doctor having to tell a patient and a family “I am sorry there is nothing more we can do….” is simply no longer acceptable. Thank you, David! https://lnkd.in/epcuJ_7A @davidfajgenbaum #hope #strength #everycure #medicine #biotechnology

"NEVERTHELESS, SHE PERSISTED..." Beautiful article posted today from the University of Notre Dame on our Crowley family journey. I think this quote above pretty well sums up Megan's attitude in addressing adversity. Next month will be Megan's five year anniversary graduating from Notre Dame. With love, with patience and with faith...she has made her way. #love #patience #faith #NotreDame https://lnkd.in/dj-XjHE3