Washington, D.C. (February 2, 2026) -- The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today named Joe Franklin, JD, PhD, as its new chief legal and policy officer. Franklin brings deep expertise in the biomedical sector across law, policy, AI, and digital health. As a member of BIO’s senior executive team, he will lead the organization’s legal function and oversee key policy priorities, including access and reimbursement, intellectual property, and national security and international affairs.
"With Joe’s deep expertise in emerging biomedical technologies, and the deployment of artificial intelligence in healthcare and biopharma, we’ve added a great policy and legal mind to our team,” said John F. Crowley, President & CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). “Getting the policy and legal environment right is critical to the long-term success of America’s biotechnology industry. Joe’s appointment further strengthens BIO’s commitment to innovators, scientists, patients, and investors working on the cutting edge of health care today to advance breakthroughs and improve lives. We are thrilled to have him on board.”
Franklin joins BIO from Covington & Burling, LLP, where he played an active role in the firm’s life sciences and artificial intelligence practices. His clients included large and small companies in the biopharma and tech sectors, as well as investors and trade associations. Previously, Joe was Chief Counsel for Regulatory and Strategic Affairs at Verily, Alphabet’s precision health company. Over nearly a decade at FDA, Franklin held several leadership positions and advised the agency’s drugs and biologics centers on a range of legal issues. Joe supported the White House COVID-19 response and liaised between FDA and Capitol Hill on complex regulatory policy issues, including biosimilars and the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA).
In addition to providing strategic and operational management of BIO’s legal and policy priorities, Joe will oversee organizational compliance and Board governance.
“I’m excited to join the talented team at BIO during a critical time for the industry and contribute to its work delivering new medicines to patients, championing American innovators, and protecting our national security,” said Franklin. "BIO, and its members, are at the forefront of rapidly developing areas of technology, policy, and law. It is an honor to work alongside industry leaders to navigate these changes and strengthen our biotech ecosystem to bring meaningful innovation to patients."
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About BIO
BIO is the premier biotechnology advocacy organization representing biotech companies, industry leaders, and state biotech associations in the United States and more than 35 countries around the globe. BIO members range from biotech start-ups to some of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical companies – all united by the same goal: to develop medical and scientific breakthroughs that prevent and fight disease, restore health, and improve patients’ lives. BIO also organizes the BIO International Convention and a series of annual conferences that drive partnerships, investment, and progress within the sector. Learn more at bio.org.