Life Sciences Award Bestowed Upon Sen. Stone

SACRAMENTO — Sen. Jeff Stone, R-La Quinta, was honored Feb. 26 as one of three state legislators to receive the “Life Sciences Champion Award” from the California Life Sciences Association (CLSA), the trade association that represents California’s biomedical sector, according to a news release from Stone’s office.

Stone was presented with CLSA’s “2018 Life Sciences Champion Award” for his leadership in advancing policies that increase patient access and affordability, and boost R&D in biotechnology, biomedical science, pharmaceutical and medical device innovation in California during the past year. The award was presented in Sacramento last evening.

It’s an honor to receive this award from the (CLSA), which is the state’s champion for biomedical innovation, Stone said in a prepared statement.

With more than 3,000 companies employing 311,000 Californians (including approximately 11,000 in the Inland Empire), Stone added, “It’s essential that California Legislators support the growth of the life sciences economy by developing and advancing thoughtful policies that will safeguard the vibrancy of the industry, as well as ensuring patient access and affordability to needed treatments.”

Stone serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Health Committee and further said, “I’ve been impressed with the solutions the life sciences sector continues to put forward that enhance many lives, and I am humbled to receive this award and thank the (CLSA) for their continued leadership in promoting the life sciences in California.”

“Senator Jeff Stone has demonstrated a commitment to championing policies that spur innovative activity in the life sciences sector, helping lead to a healthier population in California and around the world,” said CLSA President & CEO Mike Guerra. “On behalf of California’s life sciences sector – a community employing over 311,000 Californians at 3,400 life sciences organizations – CLSA is delighted to recognize Senator Stone with our … Award for his leadership, which has been instrumental in cultivating California’s life sciences sector. As the new legislative session gets underway in Sacramento, CLSA looks forward to partnering with Senator Stone and the entire Legislature to advance policies that improve patient health and bring positive change for California patients and their families.”

Recipients of CLSA’s Award have demonstrated a fundamental understanding of the importance of California’s life sciences innovation ecosystem. Winners are principled defenders of policies to strengthen and promote life sciences investment, innovation and job creation in California.

Stone represents California’s 28th Senate District. The district, which is entirely in Riverside County, stretches from the vineyards of the Temecula Valley to the Colorado River and includes the cities of Blythe, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Murrieta, Temecula, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Wildomar.

Photo caption: Bill Newell, CLSA Board Chairman & CEO of Sutro Biopharma, Sen. Jeff Stone and Mike Guerra, President & CEO, California Life Sciences Association.