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✨ Onyx Summary
MassBio praised the enactment of the FY2026 appropriations bill, which includes a $400 million funding increase for the National Institutes of Health along with provisions advancing PBM reform and reauthorizing the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher program.
The measure reinforces bipartisan support for federal biomedical research, which MassBio said is critical to sustaining U.S. drug innovation, attracting private capital, and accelerating patient access to new therapies.
CAMBRIDGE, MA — MassBio, the world’s oldest and largest regional life sciences organization representing more than 1,700 companies, today applauded the passage and signing of an FY2026 appropriations bill that includes a $400 million increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The funding increase reflects a bipartisan commitment to the federal research enterprise that underpins drug discovery, strengthens local economies, and accelerates the development of new treatments for patients across the country. The bill also includes provisions advancing pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform and reauthorizing the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PRV) program, both MassBio advocacy priorities.
“Today’s vote and signing is a significant win for patients, for the scientific community, and for American biomedical leadership,” said Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, CEO & President of MassBio. “A $400 million increase in NIH funding sends a clear signal that Congress recognizes the essential role federal research investment plays in driving discovery and, ultimately, delivering cures. Robust and reliable NIH funding is the foundation of our innovation ecosystem, where it de-risks early-stage science, unlocks private capital, and keeps the United States at the forefront of global biotechnology.”
Massachusetts is one of the nation’s leading recipients of NIH funding, with researchers across the Commonwealth receiving more than $3.3 billion in NIH awards in FY2025. That public investment plays a critical role in attracting private capital: Massachusetts-headquartered biopharma companies drew $6.85 billion in venture capital investment in 2025, reflecting investor confidence in the state’s research base and translational infrastructure.
“We are also encouraged to see Congress act on PBM reform and the reauthorization of the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher, which incentivizes the development of treatments for children facing the rarest and most devastating diseases,” Burlin O’Connell continued. “While today marks meaningful progress, important work remains. We look forward to continuing to engage with lawmakers to ensure NIH funding stays strong, stable, and rooted in merit-based science.”
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