FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf to Address Medical Misinformation During Keynote Address at BIO International Convention

BIO CEO Rachel King and Califf will discuss 
issues impacting FDA and the biotech community

WASHINGTON - (May 25, 2023) – Robert Califf, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, will be the keynote speaker on day three of the 2023 BIO International Convention. In a wide-ranging interview on June 7, hosted by Rachel King, CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), Califf will discuss the public health consequences of misinformation, threats to FDA’s authority in determining drug safety and efficacy, the pandemic response, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in biotech, the consequences of health disparities, and more. The BIO International Convention will take place at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center from June 5 – 8. 

“Scientific facts and data are at the heart of what we do in the biotech industry,” said King. “We are so pleased that Dr. Califf is joining us, as we Stand Up For Science and fight back against distortions and half-truths that can spread like wildfire in the age of social media. I look forward to discussing this and the myriad of issues facing our industry and the FDA.” 
 
Califf returned to lead the FDA as the 25th commissioner in 2022, having served as the 22nd commissioner in 2016. During his latest tenure as FDA commissioner, he’s weathered a pandemic, attacks on the accelerated approval pathway, and an infant formula shortage. Califf has made fighting misinformation a top priority, citing its spread as a contributing factor to a drop in life expectancy in the U.S. 

In a recent episode of the I am BIO podcast on misinformation Califf said, “I am deeply concerned and passionate about the issue of misinformation, because it kills people. When we look across the whole spectrum of medicine and how many great technologies we now have that can extend useful life, it's essential that we get truthful, reliable information to people. The purveyors of misinformation” he continued, “have gotten much more sophisticated in their ability to not only give misleading information, but often they're selling alternative interventions, which are not effective and may be dangerous.”

The BIO International Convention is the largest global event for the biotech industry, gathering more than 15,000 leaders in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial, and environmental biotechnology products. 

Complimentary registration is available for media. Click here to register.

###

Dr. Robert M. Califf
Commissioner of Food and Drugs,
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Dr. Robert M. Califf was confirmed in 2022 as the 25th commissioner of Food and Drugs. He also served in 2016 as the 22nd commissioner, and immediately prior to that as the FDA’s deputy commissioner for medical products and tobacco. He has spent a good portion of his career affiliated with Duke University, where he served as a professor of medicine and vice chancellor for clinical and translational research, director of the Duke Translational Medicine Institute, and was the founding director of the Duke Clinical Research Institute. He has had a long and distinguished career as a physician, researcher, and leader in the fields of science and medicine. He is a nationally recognized expert in cardiovascular medicine, health outcomes research, health care quality, and clinical research, and a leader in the growing field of translational research, which is key to ensuring that advances in science translate into medical care.

About BIO
BIO is the world’s largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial, and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. Good Day BIO is the only daily newsletter at the intersection of biotech, politics, and policy. Subscribe Here.