In a new NVCA survey of over 150 U.S. venture capital firms, VC investors "identified FDA regulatory challenges as the most significant factor driving away investment from startup companies that are bringing critical therapies to market."

You can download the press release and survey here.  Overall, 61 percent of firms surveyed cited "regulatory challenges" as having the greatest impact on VC investment. 

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D, CO) commented on the survey: "As a driver of our global economy, the FDA should constantly examine its regulatory framework with a 21st century lens...This is an urgent issue both for giving our patients the greatest access to lifesaving therapies and for our national economic competitiveness. We must strive to provide our nation's drug, biotechnology, and medical device startup companies with regulatory clarity and predictability in a way that is safe for patients but also meets their expectations regarding innovation."

Senator Bennet's comments are rapidly becoming a bipartisan refrain in Congress - which is good news for patients, industry and even the FDA.