The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has announced three biopharmaceutical research companies joined the association as members and two transitioned from research associates to full members.

The new members are Alexion Pharmaceuticals, New Haven, Connecticut; Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Palo Alto, California; and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, North Wales, Pennsylvania. AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Waltham, Massachusetts, and Horizon Pharma, Lake Forest, Illinois, transitioned from research associates to full members.

"On behalf of the PhRMA Board of Directors, I am proud to welcome these companies into our membership," PhRMA Chairman and Biogen CEO George A. Scangos said. "Together as an industry, we can continue our work on issues to advance biomedical innovation and improve patient care."

PhRMA continues to grow its membership at a time when the U.S. health care system is evolving to embrace a strong commercial market and value-driven health care. These new members will be integral to PhRMA's efforts to advocate for policy solutions focused on delivering innovative treatments to patients, including modernizing the drug discovery and development process; promoting value-driven healthcare; engaging and empowering consumers; and addressing market distortions.

"We are pleased to welcome these companies into our membership. Collectively, our members are at the forefront of the most exciting and innovative biopharmaceutical research taking place in the industry today," said Stephen J. Ubl, president and CEO of PhRMA. "The addition of these biopharmaceutical research companies will help guide us as we advocate for patient-centric policies to enhance the private market and address costs holistically."