What’s Inside: SBIR/STTR Grant Funding Reauthorized, Latest in Breast Cancer Treatments and Care; Scripps Research Scientist Wins Nobel Prize; and more.
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We’re championing the progress made by California’s life science community and want to hear about your company’s latest scientific breakthrough, investment milestone, or commitment to creating positive change for our industry. We welcome all members to submit your story here for possible inclusion in an upcoming issue.
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What’s Happening at Biocom California
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Life Science CEO Summits in L.A. and Bay Area
As we gear up for our upcoming Life Science CEO Summits in the Greater Los Angeles region and the Bay Area, we invite leaders of our member and non-member companies to join us for network building and insightful conversations. CEOs in the Bay Area can hear the latest updates on the financial market and investing trends, and enjoy wine tasting at Ram’s Gate Winery on October 28. Los Angeles CEOs will meet at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel on November 2 for illuminating panel discussions on
growth and development strategies. We’d like to thank generous sponsors of the LA CEO Summit: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, West Coast Life Sciences, Deloitte, JLL, and ThermoFisher Scientific; and sponsors of the Bay Area Summit: AbbVie, Russell Reynolds Associates, T3 Advisors, ThermoFisher Scientific, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.
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Play a Role in Solving Racial Inequity Through Mentorship
One of our newest members, the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, is the only HBCU (historically Black colleges and universities) in California. The university has an opportunity for professionals in the biomedical and biotech fields to mentor students enrolled in its Biomedical Sciences program. Generation STEAM, Biocom California’s nonprofit affiliate, is helping recruit mentors to join the Biomedical Sciences enrichment program. Although the university is in Los Angeles, mentors can be located anywhere in the world but must commit to virtually connect with their mentee twice a month from October 2022–August 2023. In addition to making a lasting impact on the lives of
our future life science workforce and promoting diversity in the industry, mentors will receive a $500 stipend for one student mentee or $1,000 for two mentees. Learn more by contacting Silvana DelPiccolo. Applications are due October 17.
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Trending: The Latest in Breast Cancer Treatments and Care
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Member Moments & Industry Insight
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- AccendoWave was selected as a quarterfinalist in the Remote Diagnostic Tool or Device category for UCSF’s Digital Health Awards.
- Alexandria Real Estate Equities wins the Orchid architecture award for its newest life science startup property in San Diego, GradLabs.
- Amgen opened a new 245,000-square-foot research and development facility in San Francisco’s Oyster Point where 650 employees will discover and develop new therapeutics for cancer, inflammatory disease and cardiometabolic disorders.
- Arcutis announced that the Journal of the American Medical Association published positive results from two Phase 3 studies evaluating roflumilast cream 0.3% as a once daily, topical treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis.
- Global Blood Therapeutics, which develops therapies for sickle cell disease, was acquired by Pfizer for $5.4 billion.
- Iovance Biotherapeutics dosed its first patient with PD-1 inactivated Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, IOV-4001, in a Phase 1/2 study investigating the safety and efficacy of IOV-4001 in patients with previously treated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer or advanced melanoma.
- Recludix Pharma appoints Athena Countouriotis, M.D. as chairperson of its board of directors.
- Scientist.com debuted its inaugural STEM Research NIL Award of $50,000 for junior or senior undergraduate students who are conducting research in an academic laboratory.
- Scripps Research announced K. Barry Sharpless won a second Nobel Prize for pioneering "click chemistry". Sharpless is one of only five scientists who have won a Nobel Prize twice.
- Xosomix was awarded a Phase 1 SBIR Grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) to develop an early diagnostic biomarker for endometriosis.
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Public Policy Perspective
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Biocom California Applauds Extension of FDA User Fees
Biocom California applauded Congress for passing a spending package that not only funds federal agencies until mid-December, but also reauthorizes the FDA user fee agreements for five years until FY 2027. This allows the agency to continue to collect and spend fees for prescription drugs, medical devices, biologics, and generics. Read our full statement on the extension here.
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SBIR/STTR Grant Funding Reauthorized
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs were reauthorized for three years until FY 2025.
The bill also adds some restrictions to the programs, such as foreign risk assessments, disclosure of foreign ties, and increased performance standards for multi-award recipients. For an overview of the bill requirements and changes, view our summary.
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Governor Newsom Calls for Special Session on Gas Prices
Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special legislative session on rebates to offset high gas prices and a tax on oil company profits. The session will be held on December 5, timed with the swearing-in of the new Legislature.
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L.A. Leaders Step Down Following Leaked Audio of Racist Comments
In an explosive story that began on October 9, the L.A. Times shared audio from a redistricting meeting held last year during which Council President Nury Martinez mocked Indigenous immigrants and the Black child of a fellow councilmember. Martinez and labor leader Ron Herrera have since resigned. Councilmembers Cedillo and de León have issued apologies.
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San Diego City & County Commit to New Housing Goals
At an October 3 joint meeting between the San Diego City Council and County Board of Supervisors, leaders announced their commitment to create 10,000 new affordable homes on government-owned property via a reduction of regulatory barriers to housing construction and allowing more high-rise projects.
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Redwood City Updating Building Codes—Give Your Input Now
In November, Redwood City will update its Reach Codes for the 2023 Building Code cycle. These codes outline strict rules around building construction and operations related to sustainability. The city is seeking feedback on this update and we encourage you to fill out this survey to give your opinion on addressing all-electric building codes this year.
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Biocom California
For over 27 years, Biocom California has helped move the life science industry forward with transformative resources that enable companies to make meaningful connections. With a membership base of over 1,600 companies, we connect our members to each other so they can collaborate and work stronger and smarter together. We connect organizations to capital investment and purchasing solutions so they can grow faster and work more efficiently. We’re their link to advocacy that fights for innovation and we provide an environment where their business and talent can thrive. Biocom California is how the life science industry gets connected.
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