Notice Number: NOT-OD-07-082

Key Dates
Release Date: August 3, 2007

Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH), (http://www.nih.gov)

The purpose of this Notice is to announce the availability of a Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP) for NIH SBIR Phase II awardees from 2002 to 2007. Now in its fourth year, this program is designed to help some of the nation’s most promising life science small companies develop their commercial businesses and transition their SBIR-developed products into the marketplace. (NIH has engaged the services of Larta Institute to help implement the program. Larta has experience in helping businesses bring technologies to the marketplace and has helped companies raise over $1.5 billion in capital.)

The CAP consists of training workshops, individual mentoring and consulting sessions, and it includes an opportunity for companies to present their business opportunities to potential investors and strategic partners at an investment/partnership forum. Participation is free; however, selected participants are responsible for their travel expenses to attend two required workshops and the optional forum.

Selected participants will receive individualized assistance toward accomplishing the following goals:

• Developing or improving strategic business planning
• Developing or improving market identification, definition, and research capabilities
• Developing or improving marketing materials, e.g., investor pitch, company brochure, etc.
• Developing a roadmap for and establish licensing opportunities
• Developing a roadmap for and establish strategic and/or investment partnerships
• Seeking regulatory approvals

Over a ten-month period beginning in September 2007, each participant will:

• Engage in monthly consultations with a Larta Institute Principal Advisor on the company’s commercialization strategy to equip it with the tools to address its commercialization challenges.
• Participate in two workshops to learn about pertinent commercialization issues, acquire valuable business skills, and meet with and obtain feedback from advisors, industry representatives, and investors.
• Have access to legal, finance, and industry experts.
• Gain exposure to and create contacts within the life sciences industry and investment community.
• Network with fellow CAP participants and explore partnerships and business opportunities.
• Have the opportunity to participate in an investment/partnership forum to showcase their company to a national audience of investors and industry representatives.

All NIH SBIR awardees (grantees and contractors) that have received a Phase II award since January 1, 2002 are eligible to participate. Participants must, however, meet the SBIR small business eligibility criteria as described in the current SBIR Parent Funding Opportunity Announcement available from the NIH Small Business Funding Opportunities website http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbir.htm. Please note that this program is not available to STTR awardees.

Detailed program information, eligibility requirements, and application instructions are available at http://www.larta.org/nihcap/NIHCAP-ProgramDescription.pdf (PDF - 325 KB). The deadline for submitting an application is August 24, 2007. Seventy-five (75) companies will be selected to participate in this year s NIH CAP and will be notified by August 31, 2007.

Inquiries

General inquiries about the CAP may be addressed to:

Ms. Kay Etzler
NIH SBIR/STTR Program
Office of Extramural Programs
National Institutes of Health
6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 360
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 435-2713
FAX: (301) 480-0146
Email: sbir@od.nih.gov

Or

Ms. Ketaki Sood
Director, Technology Commercialization Programs
Larta Institute
606 Olive Street Suite 650
Los Angeles , California 90014
Telephone: 213-538-1444 Ext: 144
E-mail: ksood@larta.org