Robert J. Beall, Ph.D, president and CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation testified before the Small Business Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives today. He urged members of the committee to support research for rare diseases such as CF.

Specifically, Dr. Beall asked Congress to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which provides grants to small biotech companies. And, he urged Congress to dedicate a portion of these grants for small companies interested in developing innovative drug research and development programs for CF and other rare diseases. Congress must reauthorize the SBIR program before it expires in September.