On Friday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed an amendment to create a fair regulatory pathway for biosimilars in an overwhelming, bi-partisan vote.

The committee voted 47-11 in favor of the so-called Eshoo-Barton amendment, named after 2 of the three sponsors of the measure. (The third is Washington Democrat Jay Inslee)

The amendment – which has drawn support from numerous patient and academic organizations and other key stakeholders – outlines an approval pathway that includes 12 years of data exclusivity. This strikes a fair balance that will ensure patient safety and reduce costs while also protecting innovation and continued biomedical advancements.

BIO CEO Jim Greenwood released a statement praising the vote. Here’s an excerpt:

The strong bipartisan support in the Energy and Commerce Committee for a fair and balanced pathway for the approval of biosimilars is a decisive win for the patients of today and tomorrow…

Today’s action also is an important vote for our nation’s economy and our global leadership in innovation.  Biotechnology helps drive more than 7.5 million high-wage, high value jobs across the nation, many of which have been created by small, highly innovative companies.