House Bills - 110th Congress

H.R. 1496—The Beating Infections through Research and Development Act of 2007

On March 13, 2007, Representative Brian Baird (D-WA) introduced H.R. 1496, the Beating Infections through Research and Development Act of 2007. Provisions would provide incentives (including patent extensions, tax credits, facilities construction incentives), for pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies and medical device companies to invest in research and development regarding antibiotic drugs, antivirals, diagnostic tests, and vaccines to identify, treat, or prevent serious and life-threatening infectious diseases. Provisions would also require the Director, NIAID, to expand and intensify efforts to assist small manufacturers to conduct end-stage clinical trials on qualified infectious diseases products, including by awarding grants for such clinical trials. H.R. 1496 was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, on the Judiciary, and on Ways and Means.