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Michelle McMurry-Heath

Former President & CEO, BIO

Search every verified Michelle McMurry-Heath interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a February 2021 interview with Steve Forbes, Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, then President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), discussed the role of the biotech industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. She described BIO's function as a "voice" and "platform" for scientists and a "bridge to the broader cultural conversation about what science can do." McMurry-Heath stated that "science is the social justice issue of our age," arguing that communities like the one she grew up in need access to clean water, nutritious food, clean air, and effective medical solutions. She criticized the U.S. vaccine distribution effort, saying "there is no excuse for where we find ourselves today" and noting that vaccines were being disposed of due to organizational failures. McMurry-Heath praised Operation Warp Speed for its foresight but emphasized the industry's collaborative efforts, including a BIO-facilitated platform that allowed companies to share resources. She called for a new approach to clinical trials, questioning why national trial networks are not more easily mobilized and why it remains difficult to include diverse patient populations. She also advocated for sustained flexibility at the FDA, stating that the agency's rapid-response approach during COVID should not be abandoned, but that this would require proper resourcing.

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