Sorry for the late post today, folks. We’ve been a bit distracted by all the action on biosimilars. (Speaking of which, if you haven’t already sent a letter to your Senators about the critical need for fair health care reform, please take action now!)

Here’s your roundup for the day –

AMGEN CEO ON HEALTH CARE REFORM – FORTUNE published a “C-Suite Strategies” featured interview with Kevin Sharer, the CEO of Amgen. As the head of the world’s largest biotech company, he has a unique perspective on the direction of the industry and how the debate over health care reform will impact continued innovation. Here’s a highlight:

If you could write the bill and have the President sign it, how would it read?

There are three big principles I’d want to keep in mind. First, access — are we giving access to people in a reasonable and affordable way? Second is hope. The real thing I think America looks for my industry to do is come up with cures for the toughest diseases society faces, and I wouldn’t want to do anything to diminish innovation. And the last thing I’d hope for is equity — each member on the game board is going to have to contribute money to pay for this new environment, and we’re probably going to have to tighten our belts. I hope those decisions are made on an equitable basis and everybody feels like they’re paying their fair share.

STEM CELL GUIDELINES – We mentioned this on Tuesday, but it’s worth another look…The NIH released new Guidelines on Human Stem Cell Research this week. On their website, they highlighted the number comments they received during the public comment period, which ended on May 26:

The NIH received approximately 49,000 comments from patient advocacy groups, scientists and scientific societies, academic institutions, medical organizations, religious organizations, and private citizens. The NIH also received comments from members of Congress. This Notice presents the final Guidelines together with the NIH response to public comments that addressed provisions of the Guidelines.

Wow! 49,000!…goes to show the tremendous amount of interest in this issue.

BIO RESPONDS TO STEM CELL GUIDELINES – BIO was quick to respond to the new guidelines, with a statement from CEO Jim Greenwood:

We commend the NIH for recognizing the importance of stem cell research to develop innovative biotechnology medicines to treat and cure debilitating and life-threatening diseases, such as diabetes, Parkinson’s and spinal cord injuries…[MORE]

LONG ISLAND BIOTECH IN TROUBLE – An op-ed by OSI Pharmaceuticals CEO Colin Goddard today outlined the trouble facing Long Island’s nascent biotech sector. OSI recently moved their operations out of LI. It’s a good example of the important role that public policy plays in fostering biotech growth and economic development and the negative results when the necessary public support isn’t there.

The op-ed appeared on the same day as an editorial about the lesson that should be learned from OSI’s experience:

The Island’s economic future is so tightly tied to the growth of biotech – and other high-tech, job-creating industries – that we can’t afford to lose such an important homegrown firm…So, where was the leadership that could have kept OSI here? How can we ensure that future companies arising from Long Island research stay on Long Island? The state loses nothing, because OSI is staying in New York, but it’s a crippling blow to the Island’s future. And it’s the latest bitter evidence that getting things done here is close to impossible.

PROPOSED BIOSIMILARS LEGISLATION A MIRAGE? – Sen Ted Kennedy (D-MA) has proposed a bill that would protect pioneering biologics for 13.5 years before allowing biosimilars to enter the market…or does it?…

Before you celebrate, make sure you take a look at BIO’s press release on the bill and BIO CEO Jim Greenwood’s comments on the volatile debate over the issue.