Legislative Update - January 2012   Legislative activity is starting to build as the House and Senate have been filing bills, conducting committee hearings and have begun floor actions in the recent weeks.   This monthly update is MOBIO's intiative to keep members abreast of important issues regarding the life sciences community.   State of the Union    Governor Nixon asserted the importance of implementing MOSIRA, passed in the 2011 Special Session, in his January 17th, 2012 State of the Union Address.     “The next pillar is to accelerate investment in high-growth industries like science and technology. With more than 1,000 agribusiness, life science and biotech companies, Missouri is already home to some of the brightest minds and innovators in the world.  With the passage last year of the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act, we are poised for rapid progress. My budget includes $4 million in seed capital to invest in attracting the very best science talent to Missouri.  By speeding the flow of innovations out of the lab and into the marketplace, we're growing these industries today and creating the high-tech jobs of tomorrow.”   Earlier in the speech, Governor Nixon repeated that his administration’s economic strategy included, among other priorities, the state’s need to prepare more workers for high-tech careers; the need to jumpstart innovation in science and technology; and Missouri’s opportunity to leverage economic success by targeting high-growth industries.   Department of Economic Development Directorship   Jason Hall, executive director of the Missouri Technology Corporation since 2009, was appointed by Governor Nixon to serve as the Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.  Mr. Hall’s appointment is subject to the confirmation process of the Missouri State Senate via the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee.  Mr. Hall’s hearing was held on January 30th. The Senate is currently still in the process of confirmation, and the committee has placed a hold on the vote for confirmation and unless Mr. Hall is confirmed or hos nomination is withdrawn by the end of this week, his ability to remain as director will be jeopardized.   Business leaders from across the state have weighed in with support letters on behalf of their experiences in working with Mr. Hall.  They include: MOBIO, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry,  Bio STL, Civic Progress, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, the Kansas City Area Development Council, the St. Louis R.C.G.A., and Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis County Economic Development Council, Missouri Innovation Center, the Institute for Industrial and Applied Life Sciences, and the Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation.   Call to Action Please take a moment and call Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer to help Mr. Hall get the support needed to be confirmed. 573-751-3859   MOSIRA   Litigation - Missouri Roundtable for Life, Frederic Sauer, Pam Fichter and MRL filed sued against the State of Missouri on December 1, 2011.  To date, the case has been assigned to Judge Pat Joyce and each of the parties have been served.  On January 5, 2012, the plaintiff’s filed an amended petition for declaratory and injunctive relief, and the state answered the next day.  There are no scheduled hearings at this point in time. This lawsuit, brought by longtime critics of high-quality job creation, medical advancements and cures, is not unexpected. These same groups have filed numerous frivolous lawsuits over the past few years that have tied up Missouri courts and state agencies, wasting taxpayer money, and impeding economic growth and job creation. This is more of the same. Legislation - The MOSIRA Coalition is resolved to continue to ask the legislature to remove all impediments to implementing, funding and executing the job creation and economic development opportunities available to the state of Missouri through the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act (MOSIRA). The majority of legislators, in both chambers and of both political parties, have repeatedly rejected these particular groups’ arguments and advocated for the creation of MOSIRA, including supporting the Governors’ signing of the bill. We are confident the overwhelming legislative intent to establish, implement and fund MOSIRA will prevail.   Please stay tuned to the MOBIO website for legislative activity on this front.   Appropriations - The governor’s recommendation of $4 million for MOSIRA includes $1 million in the Supplemental Budget for FY 2012, and $3 million for FY 2013. There was a hearing this morning in the House Budget Committee, and department leaders were questioned on what money would be spent on and whether it could be spent within the two month window thus needing the supplemental designation.

Campaign for Modern Medicines Needs Your Help   Tomorrow, Congress will begin the legislative process to reauthorize Perscription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) by holding a public hearing tomorrow, February 1st at 10am. The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health will be hearing testimony from a number of stakeholders.   We need your help more than ever to urge Congress to pass a clean PDUFA that will enable the FDA to fulfill its mission of speeding safe and effective treatments to patients, and maintain America’s position as the global leader in developing and delivering innovative medicines.   Ways to help

Speaker Series Scheduled at Capitol Tomorrow   Tomorrow the 2012 Biotech Speaker Series is kicking off with the topic being 'Innovation Centers & Incubators'. In 2011, this program was accepted greatly by legislators interested in hearing more about what Missouri currently has to offer in biotech and life sciences, but the structure of these meetings is set-up so legislators can have an open dialogue with business and research leaders alike.   The event is from 8 - 9am in Hearing Room 5 of the Capitol.   Biotech Speaker Series Schedule (updated as speakers & locations become available).   This event along with other updates can be viewed on our website at www.mobio.org. We will continuously strive to keep all information, news and events up to date, making the website a dependable source and outlet. If you find information that is needing an update, please contact Tony Dunavant by email at tony@mobio.org.

Reliv and Soy Labs Launch LunaRich, A Healthier Soy   Reliv International, Inc. (NASDAQ:RELV), and Soy Labs LLC today announced the creation of LunaRich™, an exclusive soy powder developed at the Missouri Plant Science Center (MPSC). Reliv is adding LunaRich to one of its nutritional supplements and will reveal that product at the Reliv National Conference in Reno, Nv., Feb. 17.   LunaRich is a whole soy powder containing five to ten times more lunasin than the industry standard. Lunasin is a peptide found naturally in soy that scientists have identified as the key to many of soy's documented health benefits. These include cholesterol management, heart health and weight loss, among others.   Full Article: Reliv and Soy Labs Launch LunaRich

University of Missouri Researcher Inducted into St. Louis Academy of Science   Kattesh Katti, PhD, Curators' Distinguished Professor of Radiology and Physics at the University of Missouri, has been named a Fellow of the Academy of Science of St. Louis. He joins an exclusive group of fewer than 200 scientists and engineers who have attained Fellow status in the past 156 years.   Katti and his colleagues have developed a library of more than 85 engineered nanoparticles for use in molecular imaging and therapy and have developed a promising prostate cancer treatment that uses gold nanoparticles.   Full Article: Nanomedecine Researcher Inducted into St. Louis Academy of Science

St. Louis' Bioscience Business Efforts Applauded   Officials from three federal agencies visited St. Louis on Tuesday to applaud the region's efforts to boost bioscience businesses. Matt S. Erskine, of the Economic Development Administration; Lance Potts, of the Employment and Training Administration; and Pat Brown-Dixon of the Small Business Administration gathered at the Center for Emerging Technologies, in the Central West End to congratulate the city's bioscience business leaders for receiving two major grants in recent years.   A recent report completed by a Harvard University researcher for the Economic Development Administration ranked the St. Louis region's bioscience cluster seventh in the nation. Full Article: St. Louis' Bioscience Business Efforts Applauded

Philippines will be Launch Pad for Golden Rice Marketing by 2013   The Philippines will be the launch pad for the marketing of Golden Rice by 2013. The launch is seen to boost global food security and reduce malnutrition.   World Health Organization statistics reported in Southeast Asia, that 90 million children suffer from the deficiency. A 2009 study of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that a cup or 150 grams of Golden Rice, when cooked and eaten, could supply half of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A needed daily by adults. Full Article: Boosting the Country's Food Security

Increasing Need for Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Scientific Field   You don’t have to have a Ph.D. to be a researcher in the life sciences sectors these days. In fact, not only do professionals with Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees find challenging scientific opportunities in companies large and small, but they also are often considered to be strategically important to industry growth.   At Monsanto, a 20,000 employee, multinational corporation, Bachelor’s and Master’s scientists are of “strategic importance,” says Melissa Harper, vice president of global talent acquisition and diversity.   Full Article: Wanted: B.S. and M.S. Scientists in Life Science Industries

Missouri Cures Event   Sponsored by the Staenberg Family Foundation in conjuction with THF Realty & MedStem   Learn about cutting-edge stem cell research taking place in Missouri   Speakers William H. Danforth, M.D. Chancellor Emeritus, Washington University in St. Louis   F. Sessions Cole, M.D. Chief Medical Officer, St. Louis Children’s Hospital   R. Michael Roberts, Ph.D. Curators’ Professor, University of Missouri-Columbia   Date & Location  Thursday, February 9th, 7:30 - 9:00am Donald Danforth Plant Science Center 975 N. Warson Rd. (at Olive Blvd.) Creve Coeur, MO 63132

BIO Task Force Needs Your Input   Planning for the 2012 BIO International Conference in Boston is already underway.     We are asking for your help in achieving our mission by joining our BIO 2012 Task Force. Our hope for this committee is to pull your input as we build our strategic messaging and communication efforts as we roll out MOSIRA on this national stage and plan the Missouri Breakfast and other Missouri-specific events. We know everyone will not be able to make every call so please feel free to join in when you can.   Our first conference call will be Monday, February 6th at 2:00pm.   The call-in number is listed below. This will be the same number for all of the calls: Call-in Number (218) 339-3600 Participant Code 1081564#.   The next scheduled meetings include: February 20, March 5, March 19, April 2, April 16   Agendas will be sent to task force participants before each scheduled call.   Please contact Jessica Winschel by email or call 573-694-7601 for sponsorship opportunities and interest in joining the Missouri Delegation.

Member Benefit Spotlight

VWR International, a global leader in the distribution of scientific supplies, offers special pricing, shipping benefits and lab supply spend analysis for MOBIO members.  To coordinate a free analysis or learn more about VWR’s MOBIO benefits contact Nathan Caplinger at 877-897-6377 or email Nathan.

For additional information on MOBIO's Benefits to Members, please follow this link: MOBIO Benefits of Joining

Follow this link for additional information on VWR products and services under the BIO/MOBIO Joint Marketing Agreement.