Hopes and Cures

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 as the bill recognizes the capital intensive needs of emerging biotechnology companies and, if passed, will reinstate small biotechnology firms that have significant venture capital investment back into the program. Reinstating these companies will fulfill the mission of the SBIR program, help to bridge the funding gap that exists for early stage research, and in turn increase the innovation pipeline for breakthrough therapies and treatments. The bill also takes care to establish controls to ensure that these small companies are not some type of subsidiary for big companies, thus protecting the integrity of the SBIR program. All advocates of small biotechnology firms being able to compete for grant funding in the SBIR program and supporters of the notion that these awards should be given to projects based on scientific merit and potential to improve the public health should urge their Members of Congress to support H.R. 5819 next week!

Read hr-5819-support BIO’s letter supporting reauthorization of SBIR.