Hopes and Cures

Washington Business Journal
The House passed legislation that would make small businesses majority-owned by venture capital firms eligible for Small Business Innovation Research awards.
Through the SBIR program, 2.5 percent of the outside research budgets of 11 federal agencies — including the Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health — is allocated for small [...]

Filed under: Congress, In the News, SBIR, Uncategorized | Tagged: Congress, NIH, SBIR, small business innovation, Washington Business Journal | No Comments »

My name is Mark Leahey, and I am the Executive Director of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA).  MDMA is a national trade association representing innovative, entrepreneurial medical technology companies across the country.  Our mission is to ensure that patients have timely access to the latest advancements in medical technology, most of which are developed [...]

Filed under: Congress, Non Profit, SBIR | Tagged: MDMA, medical technology, Phase I grants, SBIR | No Comments »

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation today lauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing legislation to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
 
 

In response to testimony from Robert J. Beall, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Foundation, the legislation includes a provision requiring that special attention be given to research for rare diseases, such as [...]

Filed under: Congress, SBIR, patient groups | Tagged: Congress, cystic fibrosis, SBIR | No Comments »

Yesterday, the House voted overwhelmingly (368-43), to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.  This bill will allow more biotechnology companies to compete for research funding.
This act will increase access to early-stage funding for treatments and cures for debilitating diseases.  Congress has recognized the capital-intensive needs of emerging biotechnology companies, whose development of a [...]

Filed under: BIO, Congress, SBIR, patient groups, venture capital | Tagged: Committee, House, SBIR, Science, treatments | No Comments »

It’s been a busy and productive week for SBIR reform advocates. The House Science Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation and the House Small Business Committee both marked up SBIR reauthorization legislation this week and expect to take a bill to the floor mid to late next week (week of 4/21). This is very positive news [...]

Filed under: Congress, SBIR | Tagged: biotech firms, House Science subcommittee, HR 5819, Phase I grants, pipeline, SBIR | No Comments »

Fortune Small Business Volume 18; Issue 3
Funding research to develop cures for life-saving diseases is not a laughing matter, and we shouldn’t be making public policy based on cartoons. Small biotechnology companies, like the innovative and fast-thinking Jerry of the Tom & Jerry cartoon, deserve to succeed, but it’s the Small Business Administration that is [...]

Filed under: Congress, In the News, SBIR | Tagged: angel funding, SBA, Small Business Technology Coalition, VC | No Comments »

CNN Money has a great piece describing the variety of projects that compete for and receive competitive SBIR funds – from sticky medical devices and anti-virus computer programs to creative recycling of (cow) waste.  The SBA office of Technology oversees this project of the federal government as a way to fund the early, innovative ideas [...]

Filed under: Congress, In the News, SBIR, venture capital | Tagged: Alzheimer's disease, CNN Money, cystic fibrosis, MS, Parkinson's, SBA, vc-owned firms | No Comments »

California Biotech Law Blog posted a summary of recent House hearings on reauthorizing the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR).

In the world of biotechnology, the principle at stake is the United States’s claim to be an innovation engine in the global economy. Our members and their scientists are developing disease treatments and cures at a rapid rate, but because these cutting-edge treatments are so new, it takes 10-15 years before they reach the market. In the meantime, they thrive on traditional venture capital and the government’s version of VC: the SBIR program.

If Congress wants to perpetuate the image – and reality – of the US as the center of innovation, they must adapt the criteria for SBIR grants to match the reality for these budding treatments and burgeoning companies.

Filed under: BIO, Congress, Finding Cures, SBIR, venture capital | Tagged: biotech, MS, Parkinson's, SBIR | No Comments »

What is State Science & Technology Institute (SSTI)?
It is a national nonprofit organization based outside of Columbus, OH, that is dedicated to leading, supporting, and strengthening public-private efforts to improve regional economies through science, technology and innovation.   Part of SSTI’s mission is to serve as a neutral convener for discussion and advancement of key issues [...]

Filed under: Congress, Finding Cures, Non Profit | Tagged: House Small Business Committee, Innovation, Mark Skinner, Non Profit, research, SBIR, SSTI | No Comments »

 
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the leading organization in the United States devoted to curing and controlling cystic fibrosis. We spoke with Mary Dwight about her organization and the important work they do.
 Can you tell us a bit about CFF’s purpose?  The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the leader in developing drugs to treat and [...]

Filed under: Congress, Finding Cures, SBIR, patient groups | Tagged: Congress, cystic fibrosis, patient groups, SBIR | 2 Comments »