Funding

What is your opinion of biotechnology companies – very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable?

BIOtechNOW’s Tracy Cooley talks to Dr. Schubert of the  Bioscience Association of West Virginia about biotech in West Virginia – major areas of growth, the outlook for growth of the industry within the states, and plans for the upcoming  BIO International Convention.

BIO and five member companies – Mendel Biotechnology, Arborgen, Abengoa Bioenergy, Novozymes and BP Biofuels – along with the Biomass Power Association held a briefing on Capitol Hill this week, outlining the importance of the USDA’s Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) and related programs. Regulatory rules for the BCAP, Biorefinery Assistance Program, and Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) were finalized by USDA only during the last quarter of 2010. But Congress is considering cutting the funds for these programs before they have a chance to show their effectiveness.

The Biotechnology Entrepreneurship Boot Camp at the 2011 BIO International convention is an intensive three day course designed for entrepreneurial scientists, CEOs, CSOs and business development professionals of early stage companies in the life sciences who are aspiring entrepreneurs.

Fine, University of Maryland Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship and local co-chair of the Boot Camp, discusses the event, who should attend and what they can expect to learn.

The advanced biofuel industry can reduce reliance on oil and create green jobs; diverse federal programs are necessary to help producers secure financing for construction of projects. The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today joined 34 other companies and trade associations to ask leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee to include the language of H.R. 5142, the Grow a Renewable Energy Economy Now – Jumpstart Other Biofuels (GREEN JOB) Act of 2010, in the next appropriate revenue vehicle considered by the House.