http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/gov-nixon-announces-grant-mercy-research-and-development_41519.mp3
Governor Nixon was in Springfield yesterday to announce a grant to Mercy Research and Development. KSMU’s Shane Franklin was at the Hammons Heart Institute for the announcement, and has this story.
Governor Nixon spoke excitedly yesterday to a full room of medical and business professionals as he announced a $200,000 grant to Mercy Research and Development.
“Mercy will use this $200,000 grant to help facilitate more biomedical startup businesses. Businesses that will be based on the cutting edge technologies that are developed right here at the Mercy R and D labs.”
Mercy R and D currently has 24 medical devises in development that provide new solutions to a variety of health issues facing the nation. One example, Hands First, is an antibacterial foam that was developed by a Springfield physician and entrepreneur, and is now being manufactured in Nixa.
This grant comes from the Missouri Technology Corporation’s Missouri Building Entrepreneur Capacity program, or MoBEC.
According to CNN-Money, Missouri is the sixth best state in the nation for new business startups, and the only state in the Midwest to be featured on CNN-Money’s top ten.
“Missouri has always been a leader in science in technology through our natural strengths in agriculture and bioscience to our world-class research institutions. The outstanding work that’s being done here at Mercy R and D continues and strengthens that tradition, and this grant augmenting an already strong start can send a clear signal, not only in Missouri, but around the country, that all organizations have a responsibility to work with their talented workforce to help us all define a bright future.”
Nixon says the grant will also help to assist startup companies in Missouri with investment proposal writing, FDA consulting, and contract research. According to the Governor, this will help to continue Missouri’s ascent as a leader in innovation.
For KSMU News I’m Shane Franklin.