Researchers at X-Ray Optical Systems Inc. in East Greenbush have developed an analyzer that can instantly measure the amount of lead and other toxic metals in body fluids -- a big improvement over current blood tests that can be expensive and time consuming.
But even with a demonstration product in his hands, CEO David Gibson says his company doesn't "have the cash to take it from that to the marketplace." Instead, "we're sitting there in the valley of death," Gibson said, referring to the time span between product development and commercialization -- where sometimes even the most promising ideas go to die.
Legislation before Congress seeks to bridge that gap for a select group of entrepreneurs, such as Gibson, who have recently used federal dollars to develop new technologies. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, would create a new grant program for companies whose federal research and development dollars are drying up -- just as they begin focusing on pushing new products to market.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Escaping the valley of death -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY
Author: JENNIFER A. DLOUHY
