Congressman Danny Davis Explores Healthcare Innovation with Leaders from MATTER and Marathon Pharmaceuticals
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) April 28, 2015 -- Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) toured Chicago’s new healthcare technology incubator MATTER on Monday and led a roundtable discussion with leaders from MATTER, Marathon Pharmaceuticals and other Chicago-area leaders in healthcare technology.
Congressman Davis’ District includes both MATTER and Marathon, and he has long been a champion of healthcare innovation. Davis has co-sponsored legislation to improve innovation in the medical devices sector by repealing the medical device tax, create a more effective FDA by exempting FDA user fees from sequestration, improve research and surveillance efforts for sickle cell disease, strengthen STEM opportunities and create better and more consistent NIH funding.
The discussion Monday focused on the potential for healthcare innovation to improve patients’ lives while creating jobs and economic growth in Chicago. Participants included Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER; Jeff Aronin, co-chair of MATTER and CEO of Marathon Pharmaceuticals; and MATTER partners and member companies including Helix Health and Wellness, doc&i and Regroup Therapy.
MATTER is Chicago’s healthcare technology incubator for next-generation health IT, medical device, diagnostics and biopharma companies.
“Chicago has long been a home for research and innovation in healthcare. MATTER is an exciting and important new addition to our scientific base. The work being done here reflects the high level of technical expertise and entrepreneurial initiative housed here and offers great promise for the coming years,” said Congressman Davis.
“Congressman Davis has been a champion for driving jobs and innovation and improving access to healthcare,” said Collens, CEO of MATTER. “We’re honored to have the Congressman visit MATTER and learn more about the next generation of healthcare technology being developed here in his district.”
Congressman Davis has also co-sponsored legislation to incentivize development of orphan drugs and advanced antibiotics. Marathon Pharmaceuticals develops new treatments for rare disease and is an industry leader in research and development for rare neurological and genetic disorders.
“Marathon Pharmaceuticals is proud to be represented in Congress by someone who shares our commitment to improving patients’ lives through innovations in healthcare,” said Jeff Aronin, CEO of Marathon Pharmaceuticals and co-chair of MATTER. “We value the opportunity to collaborate with our elected officials as we work to develop new treatments for rare diseases.”
About MATTER
MATTER is a community of healthcare entrepreneurs and industry leaders working together in a shared space to individually and collectively fuel the future of healthcare innovation. MATTER’s mission is to proactively connect and promote collaboration among entrepreneurs, scientists, physicians and industry partners to bring next-generation products and services to market that improve quality of care and save lives. For more information, visit http://www.matterchicago.com and follow @matterchicago.
About Marathon Pharmaceuticals
Marathon Pharmaceuticals, LLC is a biopharmaceutical company that develops new treatments for rare diseases with a focus on providing medicine to patients who currently have no treatment options. The company is developing a pipeline of treatments for rare neurological and movement disorders. Marathon is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, with offices in Chicago, New Jersey and Washington D.C. For more information, visit http://www.marathonpharma.com.
Peter Gray, Aileron Communications, Inc., +1 312-629-9400, [email protected]
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