Lowey: Federal Budget Cuts Would Threaten Local Companies

Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the first egg-free flu vaccine, Flublok, for use by people ages 18 to 49.

Flublok was developed by Protein Sciences, which will manufacture the vaccine at the building it moved into on the Pfizer Campus in Pearl River in 2012. 

Congresswoman Nita Lowey visited Protein Sciences Tuesday, taking a tour of the facility and speaking not only of the positive impact of the relatively new arrival to Rockland County, but also the threat that potential federal budget cuts could be to such businesses.

"Protein Sciences is a great success story in the Lower Hudson Valley and an example of what smart government investments can create: good, high-paying jobs and cutting edge public health breakthroughs that will keep families across the country from getting sick this winter," Lowey said. "Growing, innovative companies like Protein Sciences and scientists in the Lower Hudson Valley simply can't afford another one of Washington's manufactured crises brought on by ideologues insisting on even more draconian cuts, shutting down the government, or refusing to allow the government to pay its bills. That's why Congress must come to a sensible and responsible budget resolution."

Mike DiTullo, president and CEO of the Rockland Economic Development Corporation, said Protein Sciences is one of three businesses the REDC has been able to help draw to the Pfizer Campus, with at least one more on the way. 

"The interderdependent relationship between the public and the private sector is critical," DiTullo said. "It's really the DNA of our economic success, particularly now that we are striving to be a world-class competitor in Rockland County."

Protein Sciences was not only able to find facilities that were easily adapted to its needs, but it was also able to hire a large number of former Pfizer employees. Lowey pointed to the creation of 35 "high-paying" jobs by bringing in Protein Sciences.

"We were able to get production up in 100 days because we were able to hire so many people who had experience with this existing facilities," said Protein Sciences CEO Manon Cox. "I'm glad you walked with us and got to see what we are doing to help this nation prepare for a pandemic of influenza."

Flublok, which will be available this fall, does not use eggs. It also does not have the influenza virus and many of the chemicals in other flu vaccines. For more information about Flublok, go to www.Flublok.com. 

"Flublok is the first egg-free influenza vaccine," Lowey said. "That means it can be made more quickly and accurately without the infectious risk traditionally associated with vaccine manufature."

Lowey explained that the federal Biomedical Advanced Resarch and Developmental Agency (BARDA) has provided $71 million in funding to Protein Sciences for the development of the flu vaccine. 

"Institutions like this can't do it on their own," Lowey said. "When they get help from BARDA, from the federal government, it's this partnership working together to keep the economy going and creating jobs. 

"Congresswoman Lowey has been a strong supporter of BARDA's influenza vaccine program," Cox said. "We could not have brought Flublock to market without BARDA's support, and their continued commitment will enable us to provide more doses of this important vaccine to more people in less time, and to develop Panblock as an effective vaccine. All of us here at Protein sciences recognize and appreciate Congresswoman Lowey's efforts to ensure that funding for the BARDA program continues, helping create good jobs and making important public health advances."