Through direct lobbying, public affairs campaigns, strategic collaborations and community programs, CLS works with government, industry, academia and other stakeholders to shape sound public policy that advances innovation, to promote equity and diversity, to support job creation and skills development and to advocate for all facets of the life sciences within the state of California and beyond.

Latest CLS Policy and Advocacy Updates

Advocacy Uncategorized

Council of State Biotech Associations Washington, D.C. Fly-In

On April 17, CLS participated in the CSBA’s annual fly-in on Capitol Hill. In meetings with the California delegation, CLS...
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Advocacy Uncategorized

Alameda City Council Vote

On April 16th, the Alameda City Council took up a proposed ordinance to ban animal testing on City owned or...
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Advocacy Uncategorized

Meet and Greet with David Montes, Sen. Padilla’s Chief of Staff

On Monday, March 18 CLS held a roundtable conversation with David Montes, Chief of Staff to Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA)....
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Advocacy Uncategorized

CLS Joins the SMTA Fly-In

Last week, CEO Mike Guerra and the CLS Federal team joined the AdvaMed State MedTech Alliance for its annual Capitol...
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Advocacy Uncategorized

MedTech Day 2024

On February 13, California Life Sciences hosted our third annual MedTech Day, in partnership with AdvaMed. The day began with industry...
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Advocacy Uncategorized

CLS host it’s 11th annual Life Sciences Academy

February 27th & 28th, CLS hosted its 11th annual Life Sciences Academy in Napa. This signature event brings together California...
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About Our Federal and State Advocacy Teams

CLS Advocacy BenefitsCalifornia Life Sciences’ team of experienced government relations professionals located in Sacramento, Washington, D.C., and throughout California’s regional municipalities, directly engage with policymakers on issues of critical importance to our members and the continued success of California’s life sciences sector. We engage on federal policy and regulatory items in accordance with the legislative priorities and recommendations of our membership including direct lobbying in Washington, D.C., position and coalition letters, comments and testimony.

The CLS Federal Legislative Committee (FLC) is the primary interface between our membership and identification of the policy items pertinent to CLS’s missions and objectives. The FLC meets monthly to discuss and develop positions and activities regarding federal legislative and regulatory issues of importance to our membership. The FLC also plays an integral role in the development of CLS’s annual federal policy, education, and advocacy agenda.

Our experienced state government relations team engages on behalf of the life sciences sector in multiple ways through strategic collaborations and direct lobbying in Sacramento to advance innovation, investment and job creation for California’s life sciences ecosystem.

In conjunction with the State Legislative Committee (SLC), we identify and develop position statements on issues of interest to CLS’ membership. This SLC group is composed of government affairs professionals at CLS member organizations.

In addition, we aim to favorably shape the policy environment for California’s life sciences industry by creating and leveraging a world class seamless advocacy, public affairs, and government relations program. The team advances a pro-innovation policy agenda, while ensuring patients have access to the right treatment at the right time.

Local

California Life Sciences’ experienced local government relations team engages on behalf of the life sciences sector in multiple ways to advance the innovation, investment, and job creation for California’s life sciences ecosystem.

Local governmental bodies have an increasingly significant impact on the health and growth of California’s life sciences sector. To ensure our voice is heard, CLS provides representation and ensures ongoing dialogue between the industry and local elected officials and agencies throughout California.

Policy and Advocacy News

CLSA Applauds The Release The Medicare Coverage Of Innovative Technology (MCIT) Final Rule

Jan 28, 2021

Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final “Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology (MCIT) and Definition of ‘Reasonable and Necessary” rule (42 CFR Part 405).  The rule, if implemented as planned in March of this year, creates a pathway for automatic CMS coverage – for 4 years – of medical devices that receive Food and Drug Administration (FDA) breakthrough technologies program designation and subsequent market authorization through their Expedited Review Approval Process.

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California Unveils New Approach To Vaccine Allocation And Distribution

Jan 27, 2021

On Tuesday, January 26, Governor Newsom revised the vaccine rollout plan to help streamline allocation and distribution. Vaccine distribution will now be led by the Government Operations Agency along with CA Health and Human Services and CA Department of Public Health.

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CLSA And BIO Hosted A Briefing “The Transformative Potential Of Gene Therapies”

Jan 27, 2021

On Tuesday, January 26th CLSA and BIO hosted a briefing titled, “The Transformative Potential of Gene Therapies” in partnership with the California Select Committee on Biotechnology and the California Rare Disease Caucus. This briefing was moderated by Assemblymember Kevin Mullin and was attended by legislators, legislative staff and members of the rare disease community who are interested in learning more about gene therapies.

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Contact Us

Sam Chung
Vice President, State Government Relations
[email protected]