Rep. Rudy Yakym Named 2024 Legislator of the Year

January 14, 2025 — Indianapolis –The Indiana Life Sciences Association is pleased to announce Rep. Rudy Yakym III as the organization’s 2024 Legislator of the Year. Rep. Yakym (IN-2) has been a valued partner in legislation providing patients with access to therapies and supporting innovation in the life sciences. He is a fourth-generation Hoosier, born and raised in South Bend, representing the people of Indiana’s Second Congressional District.

Notably, Rep. Yakym has demonstrated strong support for health issues affecting children – including the Pediatric Priority Review Voucher (PPRV), the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act, infant coverage, and emergency medical services for children. He supported H.R. 2407, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, H.R. 7174, Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures (EPIC) Act, and led the effort for H.R. 7464, Sergeant Ted Grubbs Mental Healthcare for Disabled Veterans Act. Rep. Yakym has also supported the push for Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform.

He has been a steadfast supporter of policies that drive innovation in the life sciences, especially the Research and Development tax credit. Last November, he authored a letter signed by nearly 150 lawmakers encouraging an extension of the credit, along with other pro-growth tax policies.

“Access to lifesaving innovation is still a challenge for too many patients in Indiana and across the country,” said Rep. Yakym. “It is my privilege to help address critical public health issues and make sure our leading-edge life sciences companies can continue to grow here. It is an honor to be recognized with the Indiana Life Sciences Association’s Legislator of the Year Award and I will continue to work with them to promote meaningful policies that benefit Hoosier patients”.

“Rep. Yakym has been a strong and dependable legislative partner on issues affecting both Hoosier patients and growing life sciences businesses”, said Kristin Jones, President and CEO of the Indiana Life Sciences Association. “In particular, his leadership on PPRV and his understanding of the impact the R&D tax credit has on companies in our sector makes him an ideal recipient of this award. We appreciate his commitment to common sense public policy that helps our most vulnerable citizens thrive while also supporting our vibrant and robust life sciences ecosystem”.

Each year, the Indiana Life Sciences Association recognizes a state or federal elected official as our Legislator of the Year. The award is given in recognition of a legislator’s commitment to excellence in public health policy and service to Indiana’s life sciences business community.

For a list of past recipients, please visit our website.

About Indiana Life Sciences Association

Launched in 1994, the Indiana Life Sciences Association (formerly the Indiana Health Industry Forum) is a statewide, member-based trade association for organizations making living things healthier. Working in one of the top biotech clusters in the world, IN Life Sciences is a hub for life sciences industry networking, helping members grow, and advocating for policies to advance the life sciences business community. To learn more, please visit www.inlifesciences.org