|
What’s Inside: R&D Amortization; Meet Our Greater LA Policy Champion; LA City Council Approves Life Science Motion; Stay Informed on Funding Opportunities with Our New Venture Hub Newsletter; Become a Life Science Mentor; and more.
|
Biocom California CEO on R&D Amortization
Biocom California CEO Joe Panetta published an op-ed with Infixion BIO CEO Herb Sarnoff on Sec. 174 of the 2017 tax law, which requires companies to deduct their R&D expenses over 5 years instead of the year they were incurred, causing sky-high tax liabilities. Biocom California ran a 6-month campaign which generated over 8,000 letters to California legislators asking them to repeal the tax change.
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome New Greater Los Angeles Members
|
|
|
|
|
|
Featured Member
|
Thousand Oaks-based Atara Biotherapeutics reached an agreement with the FDA that clears the way for the company to submit data for its drug to treat a rare blood cancer. The drug, tabelecleucel, is currently in clinical trials and is intended to eliminate Epstein-Barr virus-infected cells in patients with rare blood cancers that occur after organ transplants. The agreement with the FDA allows Atara to submit combined clinical trial data for distinct versions of the drug that emerge from different manufacturing processes. Atara said in the announcement it intends to submit its new drug application for tabelecleucel in the second quarter of next year. |
|
|
|
|
|
Meet Fire Chief Chad Augustin, City of Pasadena
Chad Augustin came to Pasadena as the fire chief in February 2021 with a background in legal studies and fire administration, perfectly positioning him to take on the process of updating the hazardous materials ordinance in the city. It is because of this work that he has been nominated as our Policy Champion for Greater Los Angeles.
|
Life Science Motion Receives Final Approval from City Council
Los Angeles City Council formally approved a life science proposal in early October presented by Councilmembers John Lee and Bob Blumenfield. The proposal directs the city to study land use and taxation incentives specific to life science. In September, Biocom California policy staff was on hand to speak in support of the proposal, which we worked on with Councilmember Lee, at the city’s Budget, Finance, and Innovation Committee (item No. 15). We look forward to continuing to work with the Councilmembers’ offices on next steps.
|
Bisnow Covers Biocom California’s Work with Local Governments
Our Sr. Director of Regional Government Affairs, Melanie Cohn, was recently interviewed in Bisnow about our work with local governments to make cities life science-friendly. To create a more welcoming environment, we collaborated with many cities to rework policy, making it easier for life science companies to operate and encourage expansion or relocation. We supported the City of Pasadena in reworking its hazardous materials reporting rule, which was much stricter than the state standard with no benefit to public health and safety. Changes like this have the potential to result in more long-term growth of jobs and income for cities across the state.
|
City Council Reform Moves Forward with Redistricting Commission
The push to reform LA City Hall took a leap forward earlier this month, with a council committee endorsing a detailed plan to establish an independent redistricting commission but also delaying a decision on increasing the council’s size. The proposal still needs final approval of the council, which must decide whether to place it on the November 2024 ballot for voter approval.
|
|
Additional Highlights:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stay Up to Date on Funding Opportunities with the Venture Hub Newsletter
The Capital Development team has recently launched the Venture Hub Newsletter, showcasing our achievements from this year and exciting partnering opportunities. To remain in the loop about Investor Days and other funding opportunities, subscribe to the quarterly Venture Hub newsletter.
|
|
|
|
Give Back and Make a Lasting Impact
As a seasoned professional in the life science industry, you have the knowledge, skills, and wisdom that emerging talent needs. By becoming a mentor, you can be a guiding force and help individuals take their first steps on a path to success. This is your chance to give back, shape the next generation of leaders, and leave an enduring mark on your community. Join us as for an Informational Session for Mentors on November 9 to learn more about Biocom California Institute’s Fellowship programs, mentor criteria and expectations. Register today.
|
San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering
Join Generation STEAM at the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Snapdragon Stadium! The festival is the largest event of its kind in California, attracting over 20,000 attendees each year and sparking curiosity across science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). This event is free and open to the public, made possible by a collective effort between industry, government, community organizations, and academia. To learn more about participating in the event, visit lovestemsd.org or contact Annie Warner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
New to the Portfolio
The Biocom California Purchasing Group is proud to introduce our newest solution to designing and driving cultures that are inclusive, MESH/diversity. MESH is revolutionizing the approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in contemporary workplaces through their complete and innovative method that blends science and data with cutting-edge technology to deliver a DEI solution that scales effortlessly. With a foundation in behavioral science, MESH’s strategies are rooted in data-driven insights and metrics, guaranteeing that your DEI efforts produce tangible and impactful results. Schedule a call with MESH/diversity to learn more about they can assist and enable your team wherever you stand in your DEI journey.
|
FedEx Examines Relationship Between Healthcare and Sustainability
In their whitepaper titled “Healthcare’s Bet on Sustainability,” FedEx discusses the growing interest in sustainability in healthcare, driven by the desire of many organizations to be perceived as active contributors to solving for the industry’s role in climate change. The paper outlines why life science organizations interested in healthcare should, at a minimum, expect to encounter conversations regarding sustainability and be prepared to speak to them. These organizations may even consider ways they can credibly incorporate sustainability into their value propositions, while being mindful of the risks as well as the benefits. To learn more, read the whitepaper.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greater Los Angeles Life Science CEO Summit
|
|
Wednesday, November 1
Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel
|
|
Join us in Los Angeles for the sixth year of our Life Science CEO Summit. This exclusive event brings together industry leaders in a retreat-style format, fostering connections, facilitating new relationships and providing invaluable insights. Engage with peers, expand your network, and stay at the forefront of the ever-evolving life science landscape.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introduction to Facility Management
|
|
Wednesday, November 15
Virtual
|
|
Join Biocom California for a statewide webinar: Introduction to Facility Management. This webinar is for you if you are new to facility management, would like to refresh on best practices, or have questions for your peers in this area. The workshop will cover a variety of topics, including but not limited to building and operations management and EH&S basics.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Biocom California’s Annual Celebration of Life Gala
|
|
Thursday, November 16
Hyatt Regency La Jolla
|
|
Be a part of celebrating the brightest minds in the field whose groundbreaking achievements illuminate the connections between our universe and life science discoveries. Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of pioneering the future of life science, while celebrating the inspiring individuals like you who make it all possible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greater Los Angeles Member Appreciation Holiday Party
|
|
Wednesday, December 13
Four Seasons Hotel
|
|
Don’t miss out on this member only end of year holiday celebration! With the holiday season upon us, we can think of no better way to show our gratitude and appreciation than by hosting our Biocom California members and endorsed suppliers for an evening filled with delicious hors d’oeuvres, specialty drinks, and music.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member & Industry News
|
AccendoWave was selected as a finalist in the Health Equity category of the 2023 Digital Health Awards.
AcuraStem enters into a license agreement with Takeda to advance PIKFYVE targeted therapeutics for ALS.
Amgen acquires Horizon Therapeutics for $27.8 billion, as well as establishes a network of eight cancer research centers around the world.
Armata Pharmaceuticals announces first patient dosed in the Phase 2a portion of their study for a potential treatment for staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.
Caltech’s Barry Barish, a professor of Physics, and Subra Suresh, a Moore Scholar and former visiting professor, have been awarded the National Medal of Science.
Provivi’s FAW technology for the prevention of fall armyworm has been approved for use to specific crops grown in Mexico.
Puma Biotechnology‘s drug for the treatment of small-cell lung cancer has been granted orphan drug status.
UCLA partnered with CancerVAX to develop a universal CAR-T cell platform using nanoparticle technology developed by UCLA researchers.
Xencor announces that John Kuch, senior vice president and chief financial officer, plans to retire in March 2024 after 23 years with the company.
Submit your news here.
|
|
|
Biocom California | Greater Los Angeles
Biocom California is the largest, most experienced leader and advocate for California’s life science sector. Our Los Angeles office aims to build the networks that are critical to growth in this thriving regional ecosystem. Our targeted programs and customized services are tailored to the specific needs of the Greater Los Angeles area, as we understand the life science sector’s unique challenges in the region and are collaborating on working toward solutions. We work on behalf of more than {{{dynamic_content_1600}}} members to drive public policy, build an enviable network of industry leaders, create access to capital, introduce cutting-edge STEM education programs, and create robust value-driven purchasing programs.
|
|
|
