BEI launched its new bio-pharmaceutical ethics initiative, The World Council for Ethical Standards, with the aim of empowering a measurable commitment to excellence in ethics and person-centered decision-making and innovation across the healthcare supply chain.  Initial focus is on the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries and companies.

The inaugural World Council meeting was held November 19, 2009 and included executives from Merck, Pfizer, Mannkind, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, as well as former FDA, CMS, and AARP directors.  G. Steven Burrill and Jennifer Miller co-chaired the inaugural meeting and Larry Wittenberg, partner of Goodwin Procter, generously donated their New York Times offices.