Former Congressman to Head Drug Industry Trade Group

The HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, a trade organization that represents 19 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, has named former Rep. Bob Franks (R-N.J.) president of the group, the New York Times reports. According to the Times, the group, founded in 1997, hopes to make the pharmaceutical and biotech industries "synonymous with New Jersey," similar to auto manufacturing in Michigan and oil in Texas. Although the group "bills itself not as a lobbying agency," but as the "voice of the industry," the Times reports that the group's "top three" employees all serve as lobbyists. Group officials said that Franks -- who in the past sponsored a patent protection bill that would have extended Schering-Plough Corp.'s "monopoly" on its blockbuster allergy drug Claritin -- may "find himself" advocating "stronger patent protection" for brand name drugs in his new position. Earlier this year, Franks lost his bid for New Jersey governor in the Republican primary, where opponents "derided" him as "the congressman from Claritin" for sponsoring the patent protection bill. In a statement, Franks said he "looked forward" to "advancing an industry that is dedicated to improving and saving lives." Franks will replace William Tremayne, who announced his resignation in December (Halbfinger, New York Times, 7/6).