STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON MARYLAND-BASED HUMAN GENOME SCIENCES APPROVAL FOR LUPUS DRUG BENLYSTA

ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 10, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following the announcement that Maryland-based Human Genome Sciences has won FDA approval for its lupus drug Benlysta:

“I want to congratulate CEO Tom Watkins and the employees at Human Genome Sciences – one of Maryland’s home-grown life sciences companies – on the landmark approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration yesterday of Benlysta, the first new drug to treat lupus in half a century. After years in development, Benlysta will offer hope to millions around the world who suffer from this debilitating autoimmune disease. 

“This has been an outstanding week in Maryland for moving our life sciences industry forward. On Monday, I joined Novavax to celebrate their $170 million contract to develop the next generation of flu vaccine, then helped break ground on the new Bioscience Education Center at the Germantown Campus of Montgomery College. These advancements will continue to keep Maryland on the cutting edge of science, discovery and innovation.”