Could human gene therapy be the next cancer cure?

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Perry Hackett, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, had a significant breakthrough in using DNA to fight cancer. Hackett received significant research and development funding due to his form of cancer treatment using viruses like no other treatments do.

Hackett has invented the Sleeping Beauty Transposon system, which is a basis for many cancer-fighting immunotherapies. Transposons are DNA that are not uniform throughout an organism, a concept which is easily seen throughout Indian corn, where the kernels are multicolored because a DNA element is hopping around the corn genome. It is named Sleeping Beauty because it was a gene that was active 13 million years ago, however went extinct.

Hackett began his research journey almost 40 years ago when he first started genetically engineering larger fish, however now his more recent work can reprogram a person’s immune system to fight cancer. Hackett explains that an immune system has memory, and it can target specific things that are bad for your body by targeting virus-infected cells. His breakthrough was introducing a gene into a cell that will recognize such foreign cells in the body.

Hackett’s virus differs from others in that traditional viruses are expensive to make and take a long time, however, the Sleeping Beauty Transposon is simple enough for an undergraduate student to make.

Hackett calls his research, “One of the grandest Minnesota fishing stories ever,” as initially he was working to find a way to improve the lives of fishermen by genetically engineering fish and eventually this research lead him to immunotherapy and finding a cutting-edge tool to treat cancer.

In addition to treating cancer, Hackett’s research has also lead to further understanding into how cancer progresses and how to correct genetic diseases that people inherit. In the future, therapies based on Hackett’s Transposon system could eliminate  or correct the symptoms of inherited diseases.

The university will continue working on this research, as a cancer treatment like this can provide 80% of people who use it with complete recovery or remission of cancer.

As a result of R&D grants, such as the one Perry Hackett received, innovative thinking and research can be rewarded, continue to progress and ultimately save millions of lives.

If your company is undertaking certain R&D activities, you may be eligible to claim the state and federal R&D tax credit, which can then be reinvested into the business. To find out whether your business qualifies, contact Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisers.

Nebraska’s New Power Plant to Reduce CO2 Emissions

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Over half of the electricity in Nebraska is produced by coal-fired plants. However, two-thirds of the electricity generated by Monolith Materials’ proposed $50 million manufacturing headquarters will be from carbon-free sources such as nuclear, hydro and wind. The Lincoln plant is expected to be in operation by 2020 or 2021. It is expected to bring 200 jobs to the plant and potentially 600 spinoff jobs.

Monolith Materials have developed a way to produce carbon black using natural gas rather than crude oil or coal tar, which reduces emissions by around 90% and produces clean-burning hydrogen in the process.

This hydrogen by-product will be used at the Sheldon Station plant, which will be the first large-scale power plant in the US to produce electricity using this method. Monolith Materials have partnered with the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) and have decided to reduce emissions by replacing a coal-fired boiler with a hydrogen-fired boiler. Although the hydrogen is not considered renewable energy, as it is derived from natural gas, it is estimated that it will cut Nebraska’s CO2 emissions by around a million tons per year.

The Silicon Valley start-up chose Nebraska as the best location for the plant because of its cheap electric rates, public power partnerships, infrastructure and skilled workforce. NPPD’s Generation Strategy Manager wants to replace more coal with natural gas and make Nebraska “the carbon black capitol of the world.”

Over the past five years, Nebraska has grown by over 52,000 manufacturing jobs. Chief Commercial Officer, Rob Hanson described the company as, “a California company with a development division in Nebraska,” but that “In two years, we’ll be a Nebraska company with R&D in California.”

Energy companies like Monolith Materials are continually finding cleaner ways to produce electricity. Please contact one of Swanson Reed’s offices to find out whether your company is eligible for the federal or state R&D tax credit.

ND company invests $240m into soybean production facility

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Minnesota soybean processors are in the early stages of doubling in production with a new $240 million soybean facility starting up in North Dakota. The new facility will crush approximately 125,000 bushels of soybean a day, which is 10,000 more than the Minnesota facility.

With the high market demand for soybean, a second facility with higher crush capacities was necessary in order for the co-op to remain competitive with other soybean processors. As there has not been much recent growth of soybean processing in recent years, investing into such a facility, which will research alternative, innovative and effective methods to soybean processing was highly necessary.

General Manager, Scott Austin, says there is a large market for soybeans and the current facility in Minnesota has already been expanded and is reaching its limits, which lead to the rationale of purchasing additional land and researching into more effective methods to process soybeans and increase crush capacity.

As soybeans are the number one crop in North Dakota from an acreage perspective, it was seen as an appropriate location to open the new facility.

The new North Dakota site will consists of 150 acres and is located in the center of regions growing soybeans. When completed, the facility will create 55-60 full time jobs and will produce 900,000 tons of soybean meal for livestock feed, along with 490 million pounds of soy oil, both from bio-diesel and food-grade oil.  Currently the feasibility and engineering stages of the projects are being completed.

If your company is incorporating innovative production methods into its business practices, it may be eligible for the R&D Tax credit, contact Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisers to find out more.

Boeing Research and Development Center in Charleston, SC

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A Boeing Research and Development center has opened in Charleston, South Carolina. The new 100,000 square-foot facility has created 300-400 jobs and focuses primarily on advancing manufacturing technology and composite fuselage development.

Greg Hyslop, vice president and general manager of Boeing Research and Technology, says the project is reorganizing and realigning the research and technology operations to better meet the needs of commercial airplanes and defense, space and security business units, as well as government R&D customers.

The South Carolina facility is the 11th Boeing R&D facility established. Boeing currently already employ over 8,000 people in South Carolina and over 80,000 in Washington state.

The North Charleston factory is capable of producing all three variants of Boeing’s newest and biggest Dreamliner widebody aircraft.

In addition to South Carolina, Boeing has also opened new R&D centers in Seattle, Alabama, Missouri and California.

If your business is undertaking R&D, you may be able to benefit from the R&D Tax Credit. To find out whether you qualify, have a chat with one of our R&D Specialists today.

Innovative Chocolate Shop Makes Zombie Bunnies

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Tired of traditional Easter bunnies? An innovative chocolate shop in Medford, Oregon, is selling Voodoo Bunnies – blood-splattered, zombie bunnies with exposed brains and eyeballs hanging out!

Voodoo Bunnies take up to five hours to make and are made only twice a year at Easter and Halloween. The idea originated from regular Easter bunny chocolates that ended up with defects. The chocolatier added marzipan and colored cocoa butter and the Voodoo Bunny was born.  They became so popular that they had to be removed from the website after going viral on Twitter.

Lillie Belle Farms Artisan Chocolates was started in 2002 by Jeff Shepherd, a chef who began selling truffles at a farmer’s market. Always experimenting, he has tried thousands of combinations, “from Thai chili and lemongrass to crystallised flower petals.”

Jeff’s R&D has certainly paid off. Now his shop is renowned across the country. Dessert Professional magazine named him as one of the 10 best chocolatiers in the US in 2009, and his salted lavender truffle won a silver medal at the International Chocolate Awards in 2013. One year, his chocolates ended up as Martha Stewart’s corporate gifts.

Other creative products from the shop include chocolate covered pears and the ‘Do Not Eat This Chocolate,’ made with a generous ratio of ghost chillies. They have even partnered with a local cheese shop, Rogue Creamery, to create an amazing cheese truffle. It took many failed attempts and they nearly gave up on the idea, but it was worth the perseverance in the end. As Jeff recalls, “One day we decided on using their Smokey Blue, organic milk chocolate and toasted almonds in an exact ratio and voila! The ultimate blue cheese truffle was born… We have been making them for 10 years now and while we are quite aware of how weird they sound, we also know just how incredibly good they are. We put about a year into the R&D. Now it’s perfect.”

As Lillie Belle has proven, investing in the creation of new product lines in order to differentiate a company can create a strong competitive advantage. Companies undertaking certain R&D activities can claim the state and federal R&D tax credit, which can then be reinvested into the business. To find out whether your business qualifies, contact Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisors.

Atlantic Core Building Products Announce New Facility in Virginia

Atlantic Core Building Products will build a steel manufacturing plant in Chesapeake. While the exact location and construction timeline have not been mentioned, the center is expected to cost $3 million and will create 50 jobs. The new center will produce industry-leading stud and track systems as well as weather resistant vinyl beads and trims for buildings across the Eastern US, Caribbean and Latin America.

Virginia went up against North and South Carolina before successfully securing the project. Ryan Smith, President of Atlantic Core Building Products remarked that, “After considering several ports on the eastern seaboard, we found that Virginia has an excellent workforce, world-class port facilities, strong incentives and an easily accessible strategic location. From our plant, we can service 40 percent of the U.S. construction market and our export customers in Latin America.”

John F. Reinhart, CEO and Executive Director of the Port of Virginia stated, “The Port of Virginia is pleased to welcome Atlantic Core Building Products to Virginia… Atlantic Core is going to bring investment, jobs and new revenue to the Commonwealth and the region. Our port offers very diverse cargo handling capabilities and Newport News Marine Terminal is a good fit for handling the coiled steel Atlantic Core will import.”

The project will be supported by the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP), which enhances job opportunities by providing services and funding to companies creating new jobs or undergoing technological change. Atlantic Core Building Products will also receive incentives from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program and will qualify for tax exemptions on manufacturing equipment.

Atlantic Core Building Products will join almost 6,000 manufacturers operating in Virginia. Combined, these companies generate over $113 billion per annum. Over two-thirds of private sector R&D in the US is undertaken by the manufacturing industry, with the majority of new patents coming from the sector.  This results in productivity gains, better quality goods and ultimately economic growth. To see whether your company can take advantage of the R&D tax credit, speak to one of our expert advisors at Swanson Reed.

$100 Million R&D facility opening at Rowan University NJ

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Rowan University, together with the senate president, Steve Sweeney, and lieutenant governor, Kim Guadagno, have announced that the Spanish multinational veterinary pharmaceutical company, HIPRA, will establish its North American headquarters in South Jersey Technology Park at Rowan University, New Jersey.

HIPRA will purchase 25 acres of the technology park’s 180 acres on Rowan’s west campus and invest $100 million into building the 375,000 square ft research and development facility, which will create over 200 new high-technology jobs.

“The United States is a critical market for our firm and its continued growth, the South Jersey Technology Park will provide the company with an ideal location to expand its operation in the United States and distribute its products worldwide. ” said Arnau Nogareda, HIPRA’s managing director.

According to Nogareda, the technology park was selected after evaluating numerous first-class host sites and consideration of research that had already been carried out, which showed to be impressive, particularly in the areas of science and engineering.

It is anticipated that by establishing the North American research headquarters in New Jersey, HIPRA will create short and long-term employment opportunities in diverse fields, such as construction and biomedical engineering. In addition, the facility also plans to open the door to spin off companies, benefit local businesses that will serve its employees, and will be especially valuable for the faculty and students working in the sciences, engineering and business.

HIPRA’s r&d technology park will be an excellent fit for the University’s overall goals, as it will attract new partnerships that provide opportunities for the faculty, and will allow students to conduct and produce real life research that will help to further develop the regional economy.

The HIPRA and Rowan University board are excited about the future outcomes resulting from the collaboration and are thrilled to be able to grow the concept of R&D projects in New Jersey, in hope it will spark encouragement for other companies to do the same.

To find out whether your company’s activities may qualify for the R&D Tax credit, contact Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisers.

$40 Million Manufacturing Plant to be Built in Tennessee

Both national and international businesses are looking to build new manufacturing plants in the US, and Tennessee is likely to benefit. Last year, foreign companies like Volkswagen, Gestamp and Yangeng expanded to Tennessee and more are expected to move here in 2017.

Rockline Industries, a Wisconsin-based company, plan to open a $40 million, 435,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Morristown that will begin operations in 2018. The consumer products manufacturer will form a new subsidiary, Iatric Manufacturing Solutions, to specialize in FDA-regulated wet wipes, a product that has been in high demand in recent years.

“Manufacturing is one of Tennessee’s top industries, employing over 333,000 Tennesseans, and I am grateful that Rockline will expand this growing sector by creating 250 new jobs in Hamblen County” said Bob Rolfe, Commissioner of Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, “The pipeline in Tennessee right now for new projects is probably as grand as it has ever been.”

In a 2016 report by Brookings, Tennessee ranked first in the US for growth in advanced industry jobs, growing by 4.6% p.a. from 2013 to 2015 (the national average was 2.46%). Advanced industry companies include sectors like manufacturing and technology and are defined as those that spend over $450 per worker per annum on R&D, and employ at least 20% of their workforce in STEM jobs.

Governor Bill Haslam stated that, “Our goal has been to make Tennessee the number one location in the Southeast for high-quality jobs, and this recognition by Brookings shows we’re making tremendous progress by adding highly-skilled jobs faster than any other state in the country.” Tennessee’s goal is to create 25,000 new jobs this year, 4000 more than last year.

Did you know that up to 80% of manufacturers do not realize that they may be eligible for the R&D tax credit, a credit worth around $10 billion per annum? If you are unsure about whether you qualify, contact Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisors for an obligation-free assessment.

Entrepreneurs build a new type of pack for your back

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Entrepreneurs Jack Barley and Kevin Dee aspire to build a new type of pack for your back.

The business partners currently have an existing backpack company based out of a small building in Bozeman’s north side, however Barley and Dee have bigger plans.

Having a background in R&D, the two sat down and hashed out a vision for their new business, one that they hoped would fit in the space between established outdoor adventure brands, such as the North Face, and ones aimed at urban users. Ultimately Barley and Dee want to create a  fantastic functioning day bag, but on the flip-side it has to also work well as an active bag.

The goal for the innovative brand is to launch a product aimed right at the intersection. The bags will bring a level of detail and craftsmanship that you get out of higher mountain brands,  while still appealing to the general market.

In order to gain insight into favorable trends, the company crowd-sourced its development process online, asking followers for feedback on aspects such as color, size and functionality. These followers will receive first access to the company’s kick start, set to begin mid year.

For Barley and Dee much of the inspiration to engage in this R&D project came from the Montana lifestyle and dovetailing of work and play. “I love the fact that you can go for a quick hike in the morning and go to the grocery on the way home, this certainly inspires crossover,” says Dee.

If you are an entrepreneur and would like to find out whether your project is eligible for the R&D Tax credit, contact Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisers.

Alaskan Oil Field Discovery Comes Just In Time

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New Oil Field To Help Boost Alaskan Economy

A vast oil field has been discovered in the northern section of Alaska and could play a big role in increasing Alaska’s energy production industry.

Caelus Energy made the discovery about 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle and believes it could extract somewhere between 6 to 10 billion barrels of oil from the area.

“The discovery could be really exciting for the State of Alaska. It has the size and scale to play a meaningful role in sustaining the Alaskan oil business over the next three or four decades. Fiscal stability going forward is critical for a project of this magnitude,” said Jim Musselman, Caelus CEO.

The plan is to build an $800 millon 125-mile pipeline to connect with existing pipelines in other parts of Alaska.

The discovery has come just in time for the Alaskan oil industry. Without it, Alaska could be nearing a total collapse of its oil industry and economy if it doesn’t come up with a solution to prevent the continuing decline of its production efforts.

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If you are a U.S. company conducting R&D and are interested in claiming the R&D tax credit, please contact a Swanson Reed specialist.