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Important COVID-19 Relief Effort Update:

On a call with the Governor’s office this morning, they report that NJ is still in desperate need of ventilators and PPE (masks and gowns in particular) as well as certain drugs listed below that are critical to the COVID-19 effort. The State is also in critical need of corporate jets or other planes to assist in securing supplies globally. If you can assist on any of these fronts, please email BioNJ@BioNJ.org .  
 
  • Neuromuscular Blockers
  • Cisatracurium (nimbex) 200mg/ 20mL
  • Vecuronium 20mg vial equivalents
  • Sedatives for use in mechanical ventilation
  • Propofol 10mg/ml 100ml
  • Midazolam (Versed) 5mg/mL 10mL
  • Analgesia for mechanical ventilation
  • Fentanyl 1000mcg vials and equivalent
  • Hydromorphone 50mg drips
  • Vasopressors
  • Norepinephrine 4mg/mL vials or equivalent

Additionally, there is a New Jersey COVID-19 Supplier Registry for suppliers of critical PPE, medical devices (e.g., ventilators) and other high-demand raw materials. Please click here for Registry.

To donate PPE, please email ppedonations@njsp.org .  

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detailed a new “special emergency program” for accelerating research and development of potential treatments for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Under the Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program (CTAP), FDA says it is responding to requests from researchers and industry as rapidly as possible and by providing “ultra-rapid, interactive input on most development plans.” Now that it has worked through the initial wave of requests, FDA says it intends to respond to developers within a day and will try to conduct trial protocol reviews in some cases within 24 hours.
U.S. House Speaker Pelosi Creates Bipartisan Coronavirus Committee

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has announced the creation of a bipartisan congressional panel to conduct oversight on the $2 trillion in funding included in the most recent round of federal COVID-19 legislation. The House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis will be chaired by House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC). 

Read Speaker’s Pelosi’s “Dear Colleague” letter announcing the creation of the Committee here .
Senate Budget Chairman Sarlo Announces Delay in 2021 Budget Hearings

New Jersey Senate Budget Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo has announced that hearings on Governor Murphy’s proposed 2021 budget have been delayed. The Committee’s hearings were previously scheduled for April through June but have been postponed on account of the State’s ongoing response to the COVID pandemic. Senator Sarlo also announced that he will cosponsor with Senator Steven Oroho legislation to extend the State’s to extend the tax filing deadline and lengthen the state fiscal year an additional three months. 

Read Senator Sarlo’s hearing announcement here .  

Governor Phil Murphy and Superintendent of State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan announced an Administrative Order that permits blood donation drives to continue in order to meet the critical medical needs of New Jersey residents. In order to operate, blood drives must undertake appropriate mitigation efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including incorporating social distancing where practicable.

For a copy of the Administrative Order, click here .

Governor Phil Murphy ordered that the U.S. and New Jersey flags be flown at half-staff at all state buildings and facilities indefinitely starting Friday, April 3rd, in recognition and mourning of all those who have lost their lives and been affected by COVID-19.

Click here for a copy of Executive Order 114.
FUNDING UPDATES AND TOOLS

Prepare your application now.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will launch the application for its Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program on Monday, April 13, 2020 at 9:00 am. 

A link to the program application will be posted on the State’s  COVID-19 Business Information Hub . To provide business owners the opportunity to prepare to apply for the loan, a .pdf version of the application is available today, Monday, April 6. The loan program is part of a  package of initiatives  announced last week to support businesses and workers facing economic hardship due to the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus COVID-19.

Click here to get started.

Note: NJEDA small business COVID-19 relief program reaches grant limit. Click here for details.

Just launched...
Visit BIO's new R&D Funding Portal featuring government and NGO funding opportunities for the Coronavirus -- part of BIO's Business Resource Center .

The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain nonprofits and other employers. This guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA. Click here for guide.
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