SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH GRANTS (SBIR) AND THE PARTNERS PROGRAMBiomedical researchers at an academic institutions, can expand their research support and reap greater rewards by participating in our SBIR Partners Program. Academic-based research with potential practical applications can be submitted for a grant award throught our company. The Program offers many advantages to researchers and their institutions.
" The research can be
performed in the academic setting." " Researchers profit
directly from patent and licensing rights, assigned to Biomedica. " Team building and
interdisciplinary collaborations offered by our our company leads to better results." " SBIR grants can be
leveraging vehicles to attract venture capital or other funding for product commercialization " Funding levels are
more favorable than for research grants, with over $300 million available annually and a mandate to encourage small
business involvement in the federal biomedical research and development mission. Payline at NIH is close to 200
score. "Application requirements
are streamlined, with preliminary data and budget specifics not required" 
Here
is how it works Small Business Research Innovation (SBIR) Program
The Small Business Innovation Development Act was enacted to ensure that small businesses receive more federal research and development (R&D) awards, to stimulate technological innovations. As a vehicle to implement this initiative, the SBIR program was created mainly under the auspices of the US Department of Health and Human Services to increase the number of small businesses contributing to their biomedical R&D needs; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from R&D awards to small businesses; and to foster and encourage the participation of minority- and disadvantaged-owned businesses in R&D programs. About 98% of SBIR awards are made by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with minor participation by other agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration.
The SBIR program supports the initial development stages of small business research leading to commercial products or services that benefit the public. Qualified research topics are extensive and broadly based on health-related missions of NIH and the other agencies; new topics can be suggested and are welcomed. Innovation and probability of commercial success are key factors in funding decisions.
The principal researcher must be at least 51% employed by the applicant small business concern during conduct of the supported research. A small business concern is one that: (1) is independently owned, is not dominant in the field of operation in which it is proposing to engage, has its principal place of business located in the US, and is organized for profit; (2) is at least 51% owned by US citizens or permanent resident aliens; and (3) has, including any affiliates, no more than 500 employees. Business concerns include, but are not limited to, an individual, partnership, corporation, joint venture, association, or cooperative. A socially and economically disadvantaged small business is at least 51% owned by Black, Hispanic, Native, Asian-Pacific or Subcontinent Asian Americans, or by others designated by the Small Business Act.
The SBIR program consists of the following three phases:
Phase I: The objective is to establish technical merit and feasibility of the proposed research, and to determine the quality of performance of the small business grantee organization prior to further federal support. Normally, awards do not exceed $100,000 for all direct and indirect costs, for a period of six months.
Phase II: The objective is to continue research or R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. Funding is based on Phase I results and the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the Phase II application. Normally, awards do not exceed $750,000 for all costs, for a period of two years.
Phase III: The objective is for the small business concern to pursue with non-federal funds the commercialization potential developed during Phases I and II, moving from the laboratory to the marketplace.
Under certain circumstances, a Fast-Track initiative enables applications to be reviewed simultaneously for Phase I and II funding, resulting in minimal or no funding gap between the two phases of research.
SBIR applications are received for review three times a year, April 15, August 15 and December 15. During fiscal year (FY) 1998, NIH made 1,254 SBIR awards totaling $265 million; for FY 1999, NIH expects to award $307 million in 1,390 grants, a 42% increase from the previous year. Funding rates for FY 1998 were 28% for Phase I grants and 45% for Phase II grants, substantially higher than for other types of NIH grants.
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program
The STTR program is comparable to the SBIR program except that its purpose is to foster cooperative R&D, and technology transfer, between small business concerns and research institutions. Unlike the SBIR program, applicant businesses are required to "team" with a research institution to pursue research with commercial potential: at least 40% R&D effort by the business, and 30% by the institution. The principal researcher can be associated with either entity. In FY 1998, NIH awarded 123 grants totaling $16 million, with an expected increase this year to 130 grants and $18 million. For FY 1998, funding rates were 27% for Phase I grants and 33% for Phase II grants.
Biomedica Partners Program Most academic researchers are reluctant to start their own business, because they either lack the necessary expertise or the commitment that such an enterprise demands. Fortunately, there is now a way to overcome these obstacles and access this valuable funding opportunity.
The partners programs offersd the umbrella Small Business organization to potential grantees, management assistance, peer review, team building, interdisciplinary collaboration, our own drug synthesis and combinatorial chemistry laboratory, and much more.
The Partner program is a virtual "incubator" to foster the early development of biotechnology research projects by assiting in the funding process, administering the grant, promoting and marketing proposals developed within the framework of the US Small Business Program to other venture partners. Biomedica provides a highly competitive initial small business infrastructure, together with the necessary expertise, that improves the channces of a Phase I and II support award.
While reserachers concentrate on their research, we manage all aspects of the grant. As scientists move towards commercialization, we help with patenting, licensing, and with marketing to biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies.
The program is managed by experts in NIH-supported biomedical research; in designing, proposing, bidding and administering government contracts; in programmatic requirements and regulations, and in management and legal issues; in lobbying program representatives; and in biotechnology transfer, product marketing, patenting, and licensing. Our management program includes those services as well as negotiation of space rental rates and other issues with researcher's institution; seeking venture capital and other non-grant support; and helping researchers locate and recruit professional personnel.
Grant recipients become limited partners in Biomedica, qualifying for our grant management program, the benefits of supportive company partners for intellectual input and peer review, and a financial share of patenting and licensing successes of your fellow partners.
Biomedica Management Corp
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