Exemplar Genetics Wins Fast-Track Grant from National Institutes of Health

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – Exemplar Genetics has been awarded a Fast-Track Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute (NHBLI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance its efforts assisting the search for a cure of cystic fibrosis, the company’s president said today.

 

The SBIR grant program has two phases. Phase I typically funds proof of concept or prototype development. Phase II funds product development and commercialization.  The Fast-Track mechanism eliminates the gap in funding between Phase I and Phase II grants because both applications are submitted and reviewed together.

 

Exemplar Genetics received approval in September for a six-month Phase I research grant in the amount of $99,533 and a Phase II grant of $624,442.  Grant amounts are determined through a detailed budget of the proposed work’s cost.

 

“The SBIR program is probably the number one source of federal grant money for the small business community. On average, only one of eight Phase I proposals are funded, and the percentage of Fast-Track grants awarded is even lower,” said John Swart, who noted that the grant was awarded under Exemplar Genetics’ original name Porcinogen.  “It is really gratifying to receive SBIR funding, especially as a brand new company. It’s a testament to our efforts and it tells us that we are doing something that others recognize as being extremely promising and valuable.”

 

Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that affects the lungs, liver, pancreas and intestines.  It is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene.  The lack of an animal model that develops the lung disease seen in patients with cystic fibrosis is a major impediment to understanding how the disease works and how it can be treated or cured.

 

“Despite improvements in the lives of patients with the disease, cystic fibrosis remains one of the most common life-shortening diseases.  Current treatments are directed at the symptoms rather than the underlying defect,” Swart said. “This award will allow us to develop an important resource for the cystic fibrosis research community and will hopefully lead to new therapies and preventions.”

 

 Exemplar Genetics will develop, validate and produce additional models for other diseases independently and in collaboration with the county’s best scientists.  For more information, visit the company’s website at www.exemplargenetics.com.  

  

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Miller-Meeks Third Quarter Fundraising Tops Loebsack

OTTUMWA – Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the challenger in Iowa’s Second Congressional District, outraised Rep. David Loebsack in third-quarter contributions.

 

Elaborating on financial figures released Wednesday, the Miller-Meeks campaign noted that $8,490 of the $136,977 the campaign raised during the quarter that ended September 30 was designated to retire primary campaign debt.  More than 85 percent of the $128,487 raised for general election expenditures came from individuals. It includes a $20,000 loan from the candidate.

 

Loebsack raised $110,442 during the same quarter but provided a $2,300 refund to one contributor, reducing his third-quarter total to $108,142.  More than $74,000 – or 67 percent — came from political action committees.

 

 “It’s clear that Dave Loebsack’s reliance on special interest money and money from entrenched House politicians has influenced his votes.  He accepted money from Charles Rangel and then voted against an investigation that he failed to pay taxes on income from the rental of his Caribbean villa.  He took money from Nancy Pelosi and then gave the House Speaker a pass while she went out a book-selling tour and let Congress take a long summer recess instead of passing flood relief for Palo, Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Iowa City, Columbus Junction, Oakville and cities in eastern Iowa hard hit by the June floods,” Miller-Meeks said.  “Anyone who follows the dollars will see it’s time for us to elect a new representative to Congress.”

 

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Smith: I’ll Support House GOP’s 2009 Plan, Freeze Property Taxes, Preserve Right-to-Work, Create Jobs

 

OSCEOLA – House District 95 candidate Doug Smith said he would support the Republican blueprint for the 2009 legislative session, which includes freezing property taxes, repealing a $50-million tax hike on small businesses and creating jobs built around renewable energy.

 

“It’s important for voters to know what candidates stand for and I want to leave no doubt on my priorities,” Smith said.

 

House GOP Leader Christopher Rants unveiled the plan Monday in Des Moines, saying it provides accountability and financial security for families, businesses, and taxpayers in Iowa.  “Two years ago Iowans gave Democrats the keys to the car and said be careful, behave yourselves and most importantly, don’t wreck the car,” Rants said. “While Iowans were busy working, raising their kids and being involved in their communities, Democrats raised their taxes, increased government spending and attacked our right to work. Democrats wrecked the car.”

 

Among the items Rants said the GOP would approve in the first 30 days of the 2009 legislative session if restored to the majority is a provision to require the state to notify Iowans when it is learned someone else is using their Social Security number and penalize government officials who sell private information for personal gain. Democrats voted down that measure this year. 

 

House Republicans will end Democrat plans to take away the authority of local school boards and officials over taxes, curriculum, getting rid of bad teachers to unelected out of state arbitrators.  They will approve rigorous state content standards by 2014 and set in motion recommendations for rigorous performance standards. Republicans offered this proposal in 2008, but Democrats repealed it.

 

Smith said he supports the House Republicans’ commitment to cancel pork barrel projects approved by the Democrats and use those dollars on flood relief efforts. Those projects include using state tax dollars to fund for two full-time gardeners at Terrace Hill, $120,000 for decorative planters in Des Moines and funding a collective bargaining agreement for health club dues or any other private business dues.

 

Smith also favors the pledge to approve a K-12 allowable growth that does not raise property taxes, repeal the $50-million tax increase on small business and contain state spending which has increased by $928 million or 17 percent under just two years of Democrat control.  He also pledged his support to “end the relentless campaign to repeal Iowa’s Right to Work Law.”

Smith said he was pleased that the GOP caucus has vowed to ensure a business climate that promotes not just new forms of electric energy production, but a transmission system that allows our green power to be sold out of state thereby bringing profit to Iowans and power to America.  He has said during his campaign that he would make it a priority to create more jobs in House District 95 through the alternative energy industry.

 

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