Dear Majority Leader Thune, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Johnson, and Minority Leader Jeffries:The Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) is a coalition of independent state and territory based non-profit trade associations, each of which advocates for public policies that support responsible development and delivery of innovative life-sustaining and life-saving biotechnology solutions. We write to strongly urge you to support and pass an extension of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.The majority of CSBA’s member companies are research-intensive small and large biotechnology companies working on cutting-edge innovations. Most of these are pre-revenue human health companies that take enormous risks to develop the next generation of biomedical breakthroughs. Their pipelines have the potential to benefit millions of patients suffering from diseases for which there are no cures or treatments. Our companies are at the center of Congress’ goal to strengthen American competitiveness and SBIR/STTR is a critical component to ensure the United States remains the leader in health advancement.The SBIR/STTR Programs are currently set to expire on September 30, 2025. It would be damaging to American innovation and competitiveness if these programs were to expire. Therefore, the CSBA respectfully requests that you pass an extension of the SBIR/STTR programs prior to the September 30 expiration.A lapse in SBIR/STTR funding would deal a serious blow to American innovation and small business job creation. Since 1982, these programs have been the largest source of early-stage capital for R&D-driven startups developing life-saving therapies. Even a short-term disruption could significantly harm the high-tech ecosystem and jeopardize critical biomedical progress. Federal agencies could also see their research and technology development stalled by a disruption in these programs. Both small businesses…