THE FUTURE OF PATENT PROTECTION – Yesterday the Supreme Court agreed to decide what sort of business methods can be patented, an issue that could affect the biotech industry’s future. In an article in the NYTimes, GW law professor John Duffy weighed in on the implications of the issue:

 

“This is the most important patent case in 50 years, in particular because there is so much damage and so much good the court could do,” said John F. Duffy…who submitted a brief in the appeals court in support of neither side.

“The newest areas of technology are most threatened by the issues at stake here,” Professor Duffy said. “The court taking this is likely to make a lot of people nervous, including software manufacturers and biotechnology companies.” … [MORE]

 
 

COLORADO BIO FRIENDLY – Colorado Governor Bill Ritter received accolades from the Colorado BiosScience Association for the signing of House Bills 1035 and 1105.

House Bill 1035 expands upon the Biotechnology Research and Development Sales and Use Tax refund to now include the medical device and the clean technology industries in Colorado. The expanded version will encourage growth in the medical device and clean technology industry, which are both rapidly growing in the state. With this added incentive, Colorado will remain competitive with other states that understand the value of high-paying technology-based jobs.

Further, House Bill 1035 allows start-up companies in the medical device and clean tech field with 50 or fewer employees to receive refunds of state sales and use taxes related to research and development. Over the last three years the Colorado legislature has fostered the growth of the bioscience industry and by including clean technology and medical device firms to the tax incentive the state will continue to see the growth and success of these emerging technology companies…

Encouraging the success of the high-technology industries in the state will be further advanced with the signing of House Bill 1105. The bill will begin to address the lack of funding available for emerging technology companies in Colorado, including the biosciences. The legislation will also allow the Economic Development Commission of the state to incentivize Angel investors who take on high-risk investments in these start-up companies with a tax subsidy.

You can read the full press release HERE.

ALGAE TO ORGANIZE – From Jim Lane at BiofuelsDigest, we learned that the National Algae Association is forming a buying consortium to help members build algae farms and production plants more cost efficiently:

 

The NAA said it was meeting with equipment and service providers in an attempt to negotiate the best prices and terms for our members to help drive down their costs.

The Association put out a call to algae produces to communicate their needs in the following areas over the next 3-5 years: Instrumentation, Control Systems, Sensors, Valves , Pumps, Separators, Dewatering Equipment, Dryers , Plastic Raceway Pond Liners, Paddle Wheels, Plastic PBR Tubes , Resins, Algae Strains, Nutrients, LED Lighting, Centrifuges, Harvesting Equipment, Extraction Equipment , Water Process Systems, Civil Engineering Firms.