2024 Policy Priorities

The CBSA team leads policy efforts on behalf of the life sciences ecosystem and our members, who dedicate their careers to changing and saving lives with health innovations, products, and services.

We work to create a pro-innovation policy environment that enables the growth of the life sciences community and the development of breakthrough treatments and cures for patients.

State Policy Priorities

Protect Patient Access to Health Innovation

CBSA works to protect timely patient access to needed therapies and technologies. To support this priority, CBSA promotes policies that improve coverage for and access to innovative treatments by removing unnecessary coverage barriers and reducing delays to treatment. CBSA works to ensure enacted policies will not result in negative unintended consequences for patient access.

Strengthen Incentives for Innovation

CBSA advocates for a public policy environment that strengthens incentives for innovation and
offers predictability on the path from research to market. CBSA works to mitigate or defeat any new legislative or regulatory proposals that will impede research, place undue burdens on the life sciences ecosystem, or create unintended consequences for our members and the patients they serve.

Increase Capital and Growth

CBSA fosters the growth of successful access to capital programs, including the Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program, the Advanced Industry Investment Tax Credit, and the Advanced Industries Export Program. CBSA advocates to bring new life sciences investments to Colorado and explore new funding models that could attract additional public and private capital.

Promote a Favorable Tax and Regulatory Environment

CBSA advocates for proposals to strengthen Colorado’s tax and regulatory environment, which is crucial to maintain and grow a competitive life sciences ecosystem. This includes efforts to modernize the state’s economic development incentives and enact new tax policies to spur company formation and capital investment. CBSA also works to prevent erosive tax and regulatory measures that could make it harder to expand current companies or attract new life sciences companies to Colorado.

Cultivate an Educated Workforce

CBSA supports workforce development initiatives to create a talent pipeline for the growing life sciences ecosystem. CBSA champions efforts to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education and encourages the development of educational pathways, internship programs, and other initiatives to grow Colorado’s life sciences workforce.

Promote Strategies to Improve Public Health

CBSA is committed to promoting strategies and public policies that improve public health and build healthier communities in Colorado. This includes advancing proposals to prevent disease, reduce health disparities, and foster equitable access to therapies and technologies.

Advance Ecosystem Priorities within the Colorado State Budget

In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the state will continue to make strategic investments to fund essential programs and support the economy. CBSA will advocate for funding for ecosystem priorities, including the Advanced Industry Grant Program.

Federal Policy Priorities

Protect Patient Access to Health Innovation

CBSA works to protect timely patient access to needed therapies and technologies. CSBA supports reimbursement policies that facilitate patient access to the right therapy or treatment at the right time, including appropriate and inclusive coverage, coding, and payment for biopharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostic products. CBSA works to ensure enacted policies will not result in negative unintended consequences for patient access.

Strengthen Incentives for Innovation

CBSA advocates for proposals that strengthen the incentives necessary to sustain innovation in the life sciences and create high-wage, high value jobs, including strong intellectual property protections, which are the foundation of the life sciences industry.

Increase Research Funding

CBSA advocates for reauthorization and expansion of federal funding that fuels life sciences investment and innovation in Colorado and across the country. CBSA advocates for Colorado’s early-stage companies and academic and research institutions to have access to critical sources of non-dilutive research dollars to move ideas through research, development, and commercialization.

Improve the Regulatory Review and Approval Process

CBSA works to improve the drug and device review and approval process. CBSA supports policies that lead to greater consistency, predictability, and transparency in the FDA’s review programs and help to bring safe and effective innovative therapies and technologies to patients. CBSA is also committed to working with Congress, federal agencies, and stakeholders to develop a workable framework for the regulation of diagnostic tests that does not impede patient access or restrain innovation.

Advance the Role of Digital Health Technologies and Data-Driven Solutions in Improving Care

CBSA advocates for policies that responsibly advance the role of digital health technologies and data-driven solutions in improving patient care. These transformative technologies draw new insights, improve patient experiences and outcomes, and increase the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery. CBSA supports regulatory and reimbursement policies that foster innovation and increase access to innovative digital health technologies and data-driven solutions, including clarity and transparency from the FDA and appropriate and inclusive coverage, coding, and reimbursement.

Promote the Development of Agricultural Biotechnology Products

CBSA advocates for policies that promote the development and commercialization of agricultural
biotechnology products and communicate scientifically significant information to consumers
about health, safety, and nutrition.