Hopes and Cures

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 of some of the most creative thinkers.  The scope of the projects that receive funding varies, but they all work to solve some type of problem in a new way.

Many of these projects begin in labs at universities and develop into therapies that can alleviate the symptoms of certain life-threatening illnesses.  Because no new treatment can be developed from an idea overnight, many of these researchers depend on grants, and especially the SBIR program, to fund the early stages of their research. 

Some of the benefactors of SBIR grant-assisted research are therapies for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s Disease, MS and Cystic Fibrosis.  Many of us have friends or family members who suffer from these illnesses.  It is so important that the SBA treads carefully when it excludes companies from this important grant program. 

Currently Congress is reviewing the SBIR program.  At issue is a 2003 rule made by the SBA that affects who can receive SBIR grants – SBA’s ruling incorporates all funders, including venture capitalists, into the number of employees that a small research operation has.  Often, this causes the lab to exceed the threshold for a small business, and renders them unable to receive SBIR funding. 

It is terrific that the government has a program to assist our most creative thinkers.  We need programs like this to help spur the creation of life saving cures and therapies.