SIOUX FALLS Sen. John Thune (RS.D.) has been named Legislator of the Year from the international Biotechnology Innovation Organizations Industrial & Environmental Health Section. The award recognizes Senator Thunes support of the biotechnology industry and steadfast commitment to growing South Dakotas and the nations bio-based economy. Thunes award was presented by Doug Berven, a member of BIOs governing board and vice president of corporate affairs at Sioux Falls-based POET, and Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIOs Industrial & Environmental Section. Sen. John Thune has been a strong and constant champion of policies that support industrial biotechnology companies in creating jobs, revitalizing manufacturing, improving U.S. energy security and building a bio-based economy, Erickson said. Senator Thune was first elected to the Senate in 2004, when the first Renewable Fuel Standard was under development. He helped expand the program in 2007 and has been a determined advocate in encouraging the Environmental Protection Agency to get the program on track for future growth. Thune also was recognized helping renew tax credits for second-generation biofuels and for co-sponsoring legislation to ensure mandatory funding for energy programs in the Agriculture Act of 2014. Through his efforts, Congress has incorporated innovative programs in the Farm … Continue reading →

The biotech industry had a rough 12 months. First the beatings came from presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton as she vowed to crush their pricing models. Now President Donald Trump is following up with similar promises. For a long while, tickers like the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (ETF) (NASDAQ:IBB) were toxic to investors. The thesis was that healthcare and biotech companies were untouchable with the political cloud looming above them. Recently, and in spite of the fact that that nothing has changed from the political standpoint, the worrisome headlines became stale and lost their zing. Thats what usually happens. Traders initially over-react to the headline and then after a while, return to trading the fundamentals. The companies in the IBB have legitimate, viable businesses. This is a classic case of a bad apples who spoil the bunch. Technically the IBB stock price is in a breakout that I rode higher on Feb. 11 with debit call spreads. The important price action came when the IBB reclaimed the $280 per share pivotal zone. From here at the $300 per share level, it can once again provide a base from which to mount another leg higher. This area is an important long term … Continue reading →

The UP Genetic Researchers and Agricultural Innovators Society strives to uphold awareness on the ways, means, and science behind agricultural biotechnology to help students and farmers alike Published 6:59 AM, March 06, 2017 Updated 9:19 AM, March 06, 2017 MANILA, Philippines How can agricultural biotechnology help and serve farmers and students alike? These students from the University of the Philippines Genetic Researchers and Agricultural Innovators Society or UP GRAINS found a way. We think its important to promote biotechnology because its one of the most advanced fields of science and we think it is also neglected in the Philippines," founding Vice-President of UP Grains Kohlin Lallaban said. UP GRAINS, which was formed in 2014 in UP Los Baos, is an academic organization that promotes agricultural biotechnology. The group helps farmers make a living. Its programs allow students from Batangas, Laguna, and Camarines Norte provinces learn about techniques in biotechnology and how they can apply these to their research. They bring experts and professors from different universities in Laguna and Batangas to communities, teaching farmers how to grow their crops better. The student organization has touched lives through its programs which include academic tutorials (Chem 40: Basic Organic Chemistry Tutorials), educational … Continue reading →