December 7, 2016. Today, the U.S. Senate passed the 21st Century Cures Act and with it, reauthorization of the Creating Hope Act pediatric priority review voucher program. The House of Representatives passed it last week. Now, the bill will go to the desk of President Obama for his signature.
Now, academic researchers and biotechs will have four more years of Creating Hope Act financial incentives to develop better treatments for kids with cancer and other serious illnesses.
The Creating Hope Act works. Since 2012, the Creating Hope Act has created almost $1 billion in R&D incentives for pediatric drug development.
Pursuant to the 21st Century Cures, the Creating Hope Act pediatric PRV is reauthorized until September 20, 2020. Moreover, drugs that receive rare pediatric designations by that date will qualify for vouchers as long as they are approved by September 20, 2023.
The 21st Century Cures bill also helps kids by funding the Cancer Moonshot, new compassionate use standards, more funding for the National Institute of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and new mental health provisions.
We thank the leadership and commitment of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader Harry Reid, Chairman Lamar Alexander, Ranking Member Patty Murray, Senators Bob Casey and Johnny Isaakson. And, we once again express our appreciation to Representatives Michael McCaul, G.K. Butterfield and Chris Van Hollen.
It has been a great week for pediatric cancer policy. In addition to the passage of the Creating Hope Act, this week the STAR Act was passed by the House of Representatives and now proceeds to the Senate for the last few days of the lame-duck Congress.
Together, we have all brought better health to very sick kids. Thank you for all your support.
Warmest regards,
Nancy Goodman and the Kids v Cancer Team