Bipartisan legislation to incentivize pharmaceutical & biomedical innovation passes PA House
Southeast Delegation June 24, 2026 | 3:22 PM
HARRISBURG, June 24 – Legislation that would encourage pharmaceutical and biomedical manufacturers to establish their home base in Pennsylvania by simplifying the commonwealth’s process for companies to apply for a state license was unanimously approved today by the PA House, 202-0.
The bipartisan H.B. 2162, co-prime sponsored by state Reps. Lisa Borowski, D-Delaware; Paul Friel, D-Chester; and Thomas Kutz, R-Cumberland, would allow makers of a drug or medical device to apply for a temporary product license from the commonwealth at the same time they begin its FDA approval process.
Pennsylvania is currently one of only nine states that requires manufacturers to fully complete the lengthy FDA approval process before applying for a PA license, meaning they can’t launch new, often eagerly awaited pharmaceuticals (deemed ready by the FDA) as swiftly as they can if established in other states.
“There’s no medical, scientific or strategic reason for Pennsylvania to impose this delay on pharmaceutical and biomedical developers before they can launch treatments and make them available to patients who need them,” said Borowski. “In fact, our lack of urgency in modernizing this rule is hampering our ability to attract these job-creating companies to the commonwealth. This is something we ought to get done if we’re serious about being a leader in the life sciences, an industry that saves lives while creating good jobs for local workers.”
“This bill is an opportunity to put out the welcome mat for pharmaceutical start-ups,” said Friel. “When we invest in these companies and create a more efficient environment for them to put down roots, then they invest in Pennsylvania by providing good paying jobs and tax revenue that benefits our communities.”
"Recognizing an opportunity to remove barriers, accelerate lifesaving innovation, and strengthen our economy, I was proud to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to introduce House Bill 2162," said Kutz. "By allowing biomedical companies to begin the state licensing process while their products are still pending FDA approval, we can help bring groundbreaking treatments to patients more quickly and support growth in this critical and competitive sector. I’m grateful for the broad, bipartisan support this legislation has received, and I’m hopeful it will continue to advance through the legislative process."
Borowski also pointed out the legislation would not permit early commercial distribution of a new product, but allow it a more rapid move to production once the FDA’s approval is in hand. Companies would be required to confirm that they have submitted an application to the FDA or intend to do so within a year.