Invitrogen spent $160K to lobby government in 1Q

Invitrogen Corp. spent $160,000 in the first quarter to lobby on funding for biomedical research, the National Institutes of Health and more, according to a recent disclosure form.

The life sciences equipment maker also lobbied on patent reform, legislation to ban genetics-based discrimination and a mental health parity bill that would require insurers to offer mental health benefits equal in cost and scope to medical and surgical benefits.

The Carlsbad, Calif.-based company lobbied Congress and the Patent and Trademark Office during the fist three months of the year, according to a disclosure form filed April 20 with the House clerk's office.