Biotech in Bucks

From Friday's inbox:

Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) and former Congressman Jim Greenwood (R-8th District) joined local Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant recipients at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center to highlight federal funding coming to Bucks County . The Congressmen were joined by representatives from several biotechnology firms in the 8th District, including Advanced Neural Dynamics, Biosante Pharmaceuticals, Enantigen Therapeutics, Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center, Inc., Immunotope, Pharmabridge, Russell Biotech, Sonitu Pharmaceuticals, Therimunex Pharmaceuticals, and researchers from Drexel University .

The latest round of SBIR grants, totaling almost $900,000, will be used to fund cutting-edge research and technology to accomplish goals such as fighting infectious diseases, seeking cures for epilepsy and Lou Gehrig’s disease, and improving human health.

Congressman Murphy has advocated for increased federal funding for biotech research and innovation in the 8th District, and former Congressman Greenwood is an internationally-recognized leader as the President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), which represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations.

“I’m thrilled to join Representative Greenwood and the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center in announcing the Small Business Innovation Research grants for these ground-breaking leaders,” said Congressman Murphy. “Funding like these grants ensures Bucks County continues to lead the field in biotechnology innovation, a key to bringing good-paying jobs to our community.”

“The SBIR program is key to advancing the development of life-changing biotech therapies and cures,” said Greenwood . “This year, as Congress reauthorizes the SBIR program, we’re working to ensure that more small biotech companies can compete for SBIR grants by expanding eligibility for companies majority-backed by venture capital. Congressman Murphy is one of our SBIR champions in Congress and we appreciate his commitment to advance the life sciences.”