The PA Chamber participated in a Pennsylvania Competitiveness Caucus roundtable last week hosted at Pfizer’s Collegeville facility to highlight the importance of the life sciences sector to Pennsylvania’s economy and explore opportunities for future growth.
The event convened a bipartisan group of lawmakers — including caucus co-chairs Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Rep. Paul Friel (D-Chester) — along with representatives from Pfizer, Life Sciences PA, the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, and other stakeholders.
Additional lawmakers in attendance included: Senator Amanda Cappelletti (D-Delaware); Reps. Jacklyn Rusnock (D-Berks); Jim Prokopiak (D-Bucks); Thomas Kutz (R-Cumberland); Lisa Borowski (D-Delaware); Leanne Krueger (D-Delaware); Bridget Kosierowski (D-Lackawanna); Pete Schweyer (D-Lehigh); Greg Scott (D-Montgomery; Steve Malagari (D-Montgomery); Melissa Cerrato (D-Montgomery); Joe Webster (D-Montgomery); and Mary Isaacson (D-Philadelphia).
The discussion centered on how Pennsylvania can strengthen its position as a national leader in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and advanced technology. Key questions included how the Commonwealth can attract and retain capital investment, support early- and growth-stage companies, and better connect research coming out of universities with commercialization opportunities.
Participants also discussed challenges unique to the industry, including high start-up costs and long development timelines, and identified policy solutions to improve competitiveness.
Among the ideas raised were expanding research and development tax credits, fostering a tax environment that welcomes private investment, enabling tradable net operating losses, and modernizing permitting and incentive programs. New Jersey’s biotechnology policies were cited as a successful model that Pennsylvania could adapt.
PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein and Neal Lesher, Director of Government Affairs, joined the discussion and emphasized that while Pennsylvania has significant strengths in life sciences, competing states are moving quickly to attract jobs and investment. Forums like this roundtable are part of the PA Chamber’s broader effort to work with bipartisan lawmakers and employers to advance policies that will create more jobs,