NJBIZ

RowanRutgers board teams up with pharma firm to improve Alzheimer’s care model

A new public-private partnership between the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden board of governors and Otsuka America Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Princeton aims to create a better care model for patients with Alzheimer’s — a disease that adversely affects a significant portion of Camden’s residents.

Being touted as the first of the kind in the nation, the new program is based off a model Otsuka used for oncology with the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The results of the program were revealed in a report from Otsuka released Tuesday during the announcement of the new project in Camden.

The partnership is focused on a new “navigator” program, in which care coordinators are trained to following through on patient care. These new certified positions have been trademarked Alzheimer’s Journey Coordinators.

A similar concept in Alabama “cut rates of hospitalization from 36 percent to 16 percent, which reduced average annual costs by as much as $27,000 per patient,” according to the Otsuka report.

Noting that the Rowan/Rutgers board is focused on “eds and meds” in the Camden and South Jersey region, Otsuka is proposing that the new program can help train local residents, and, “At this important moment in the region’s history, such a program could become part of the turnaround story.”

The area is of particular interest because of its demographics.

Kris Kolluri, CEO of the Rowan/Rutgers board, said the statistics show a higher likelihood of Alzheimer’s in the area.

“When you look at the statistics, minorities, both African-Americans and Hispanics, are at greater risk for getting Alzheimer’s, so we see there is a need from that standpoint,” Kolluri said. “But equally important, Camden also has an opportunity to train health care workers.”

The focus on eds and meds has led to a strong growth in industry employers in the region; they are the second-largest employers, Kolluri said.

“Forty percent of people that work in the Camden metropolitan area work in eds and meds,” Kolluri said.

The impact of the program has real dollars attached to it, both in revenue and investment potential.

The implementation of the journey coordinators could result in as much as $150,000 in revenue per coordinator for a hospital, according to the report, which cited a 2013 Harvard Business Review article on MetroHealth in Cleveland.

With regard to investment, Otsuka’s report states: “There is also evidence from the academic literature that Patient Navigation and Coordinators programs can help recruit for clinical trials. Given the monumental barriers that drug development faces when recruiting for Alzheimer’s trials, the Alzheimer’s Journey Coordinator Certificate Program in Camden could become a magnet for pharmaceutical interest.”

Eli Perez, director of congress and stakeholder management at Otsuka, said the Princeton-based unit of the Japanese pharmaceutical company can focus on its mission of serving an unmet need, and, while bending the cost curve, also focus on a new treatment.

“In the future, hope we can say we are able to introduce medication where there hasn’t been one introduced in more than a decade. We are a little bit away from that,” Perez said, citing setbacks in its current compounding research efforts.

Meanwhile, caregivers and family members of Alzheimer’s patients are often left to navigate “a very complex, fragmented health care system,” Perez said. The goal is for Otsuka to identify a better model of care in partnership with Rowan/Rutgers.

Mandelbaum Salsburg announces Washington Town Center deal

Roseland-based law firm Mandelbaum Salsburg recently announced it has brokered a deal between Atkins Cos. and Woodmont Properties to develop Washington Square Town Center, a mixed-use redevelopment project in Washington Township, Gloucester County.Roseland-based law firm Mandelbaum Salsburg recently announced it has brokered a deal between Atkins Cos. and Woodmont Properties to develop Washington Square Town Center, a mixed-use redevelopment project in Washington Township, Gloucester County.

“Previously, Mandelbaum Salsburg introduced Woodmont Properties to a 300-unit multifamily project in Mount Arlington, which is nearing completion,” the firm said in a news release. “Atkins Cos. had owned and secured the approvals for the project and joint ventured it with Woodmont.”

The latest redevelopment project has been approved for 260 luxury rental units, 100 town homes, a 40,000-square-foot medical office facility, 30,000 square feet of retail space, a 110-unit assisted living facility and 70 affordable rental units.

Woodmont and Atkins closed title to the project in April of this year.

“We’re thrilled to work alongside Atkins Cos. to create another exciting community in one of South Jersey’s most desirable towns,” Eric Witmondt, CEO of Woodmont Properties, said. “Following the recent success of Woodmont West in Mount Arlington, we expect our collaboration with Atkins and Washington Township will result in a dynamic and vibrant town center that will meet the needs of the community.”

Plans for the apartment community include a clubhouse, fitness center, pool and subdeck.

Rothman Institute out of Philadelphia has signed a lease to occupy half of the medical office portion of the redevelopment project for 20 years.

“The retail component of the project will consist of 30,000 square feet captured in three 10,000-square-foot buildings adjacent to the medical office building and is envisioned as service-oriented users to synergistically interact with the balance of the mixed-use development,” Mandelbaum said in a news release.

Holmdel-based Sonnenfeld and Trocchia Architects designed the apartment portion of the project. Rotwein Blake designed the retail and medical office portion.

Woodmont is currently developing sites in South Amboy and Metuchen.

Jersey technology See it, live it, accelerate it, at Jersey Innovation Week

New Jersey is one of the world’s leading global centers of transformative technology and innovation. But even within our high-tech industries, many don’t realize the breadth and vigor of New Jersey’s technology communities. And outside our industries, many stakeholders and citizens have only the vaguest sense of New Jersey’s many deep wellsprings…We thought: Maybe you just have to see it to believe it. So, we’ve made that easy — at the first-ever Jersey Innovation Week, May 15-20.

From Madison to Holmdel, Princeton to Asbury Park, this unprecedented week of events will showcase the extraordinary range of New Jersey technology innovation. From health care to drones, mixed reality to IoT and design, it’s happening here — and it will profit you mightily to know about it.

Here are some highlights of what we’ve got planned (each event requires registration; full calendar and registration links here):

The NJ Tech Council’s HealthTech Conference (May 16, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison) will focus on cutting-edge healthcare innovations to improve clinical outcomes, reduce costs, and improve patient experience no matter how Washington, D.C. changes the laws.

It’s an extraordinarily timely opportunity to see how providers and healthcare organizations are leveraging transformative technologies such as big data, health information exchanges, pharmacology, and informatics — many of them being pioneered right here in New Jersey. You’ll join practitioners, tech executives, funders/payors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders who are reinventing and re-humanizing healthcare through technology — and you’ll preview the enormous implications for all of us.

The next morning, CEOs will come together at our CEO Forum – How to Manage your Company’s Growth (May 17, 8 – 10 a.m., Whippany): CEOs from Admera Health and daVIZta will lead an informal, interactive roundtable on taking companies to the next level. They’ll focus on specific resources, skills, alliances, and in-the-trenches experiences for building companies that can sustain rapid and profitable growth.

If you’re in the Camden area that morning, have Breakfast with Titans (8 – 9:30 a.m., Waterfront Lab) — your chance to connect with Camden’s fast-growing community of innovators and startups. You’ll also hear from Seth Berger (76ers Innovation Lab), who built AND 1 from a local T-shirt screen printer into America’s #2 basketball footwear company.

Later in the afternoon of the 17th, join Tech Council members and others at the Wine Beer Tech Fest (4 – 7 p.m., Princeton). We’ll serve up complimentary wine, beer, and appetizer pairings — plus an opportunity to meet key regional tech executives, and hear an up-to-minute discussion on pairing great talent with great firms (including updates on the latest immigration changes).

Next, on the Hoboken waterfront (May 18), there’s the full-day outdoor Propelify Festival — a great place to hear from pioneering tech business builders, connect with startups and investors, see the latest VR and drone technologies, and listen to some great music.

Friday morning, join the Council for coffee and great networking at Breakfast Bytes (Fort Monmouth, May 19, 7:30-9:00 a.m.). Come, chat, and hear insights from leading New Jersey entrepreneurs, including Simon Nynes (Chairman, CEO & President, Wayside Technology Group); Michael Abboud (CEO, TetherView); and Jesper Helt (CHRO, Commvault).

And there’s a whole lot more. Just two examples, both in Asbury Park: the Tech Council is partnering with the Jersey Shore Tech Meetup to host a Beachside Chat & Happy Hour with BrandProject’s Jay Bhatti, May 19, 4-7 pm. Then, the next day the boardwalk is hosting the annual TEDx Navesink event, all day May 20, which will focus on identity, emotion, innovation, design, technology, and some of the amazing linkages among them.

Coordinated by the New Jersey Tech Council, Jersey Innovation Week is for entrepreneurs, executives, funders, investors, researchers, policymakers, students — and everyone who’s passionate about technology. It offers extraordinary opportunities for New Jersey’s leading and emerging innovators to connect, and to discover new resources for accelerating and scaling success.

This preview covers just a fraction of the events we’ll be sponsoring and helping to coordinate. We hope you’ll be part of this inaugural Jersey Innovation Week. Join us: you’ll never look at Jersey innovation the same way again.

Goldstein brings Playa Bowls to Montclair, Brick and Millburn

Goldstein Group President Chuck Lanyard recently announced his firm has completed three leases with Playa Bowls, in Montclair, Brick and Millburn. The Belmar chain specializes in smoothies and acai bowls.

Playa Bowls leased 1,133 square feet at 19 Church St., Montclair, right off Bloomfield Avenue neighboring Chase Bank, New York Sports Club and CVS.

In Brick, Playa Bowls leased 1,870 square feet of space at Brownstone Square on Mantoloking Road, the Goldstein Group said in a news release: “The corner location features abundant parking with convenient access to the Garden State Parkway.”

Playa Bowls also leased 1,200 square feet at 329 Millburn Ave., in downtown Millburn near Starbucks, PNC Bank and Flywheel Sports.

Marc Palestina of the Goldstein Group managed the transactions in Millburn and Montclair. Palestina also represented the tenant in Brick, while Christopher Conway and Richard Curran of the Goldstein Group represented the landlord.

NJBIZ reveals Healthcare Heroes finalists for 2017

The NJBIZ Healthcare Heroes Awards program honors individuals and organizations that are making a significant impact on the quality of health care in New Jersey. See the list of finalists in each category by clicking the link.

The winner in each category will be announced during an awards breakfast and ceremony June 20 at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset.

For more information and to register for the event, click here.

Below are the finalists of the NJBIZ Healthcare Heroes awards:

Education Hero: Individual

Olubunmi Afonja, Bayer

Jody Beach, Inspira Health Network

Andre Goy, Hackensack Meridian Health

Chris Kirk, Atlantic Health System

Michele Samarya-Timm, Somerset County Department Of Health

Samantha Singh, Saint Barnabas Medical Center-RWJ Barnabas Health

Education Hero: Organization

Alzheimer’s New Jersey
Kenneth Zaentz

Healthier Somerset
Serena Collado

Holy Name Medical Center’s Healthcare Careers Discovery Program
Michael Maron

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Darrell Terry

The Center for Korean Health and Wellness-Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
Warren Geller

Innovation Hero: Individual

Thomas Bartiromo, New Jersey Innovation Institute

Thomas M. Birch, Holy Name Medical Center

Mary Ann Boccolini, Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice

John Halperin, Atlantic Health System

Prakash Rao, NJ Sharing Network

Melissa Smith, Children’s Specialized Hospital

Innovation Hero: Organization

Bayer
Carsten Brunn

Capital Health
Al Maghazehe

Inspira Health Network
John DiAngelo

Labor First LLC
John Dulczak

Princeton House Behavioral Health
Richard Wohl

St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center
Kevin Slavin

Affinity Federal Credit Union
John Fenton

Nurse of the Year

Ludovina Archeval, Holy Redeemer Home Care

Cate Collyer-See, Atlantic Health System

Joanne Porter, AtlantiCare HealthCare

Jennifer Sheets, Bayada Home Health Care

Desiree Sokoli, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Ann Welenofsky, Summit Medical Group/Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center

Physician of the Year

Christopher Bolich, Holy Redeemer Visiting Nurses and Hospice of Atlantic & Mercer Counties

John Chovanes, Cooper University Health Care

Jan Huston, Hackensack Meridian Health

Rashmi Kaura, Atlantic Medical Group, Atlantic Health System

Mario Leitao Jr., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Basking Ridge

Shyan Sun, Saint Barnabas Medical Center

Public Health Hero

Kyung Hee Choi, Holy Name Medical Center

Alana Cueto, Eastern International College, Jersey College

George Kimmerle, Kimmerle Group

Barbara Mintz, RWJBarnabas Health

Ashok Patel, Indian Health Camp of New Jersey

James Proodian, Natural Healthcare Center

Gwendolyn Rippey, Atlantic Health

Volunteer of the Year

Gail Fiske, Inspira Health Network

Beatriz Garcia, Hackensack Meridian Health

Suraj Kaufman, Sneaker Room

Bob Orozovich, Holy Name Medical Center

Chadwin Sandifer, Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Roslyn Schwartzberg, Trinitas Regional Medical Center

Hospital of the Year

Morristown Medical Center
Trish O’Keefe

Saint Barnabas Medical Center
Stephen P. Zieniewicz

Southern Ocean Medical Center
John Lloyd

6 ways entrepreneurs can hurdle common legal pitfalls

Starting a business is one of the most significant decisions anyone can make – one with potentially great upside. Walking that path, however, carries significant risk, and the first step should never be taken without consideration of what will make your business valuable.Most important is determining your short-term and long-term goals, whether it be to create a family business, attract investors or implement a five- or seven-year plan and then hope for a sale. Most start-up founders aren’t fluent in legalese, but that doesn’t mean they can’t prepare themselves for the many legal pitfalls they may encounter on their path to prosperity. Here are six best practices entrepreneurs can employ to make sure they don’t get ensnared by common mistakes.

Protecting your personal assets: While your business would not exist without you, in the legal world, it should exist as a mostly separate entity. From the earliest stages, any start-up should establish itself as a corporate entity, such as a limited liability company. The reason is simple: should things go south, your losses will be limited mostly to cash and other assets owned directly by the business. Personal assets – your home, car or retirement savings – are likely to be spared, even in the case of a bankruptcy filing or other abrupt dissolution.
Put it on paper: Business partners should put the terms of their arrangement in writing during the earliest stages — when everyone is excited about the new venture. If an agreement can’t be reached then, you are likely to encounter even more significant issues in the future. The process of entering into an agreement at the outset will also help you avoid disputes later, because of the conversations that occur in connection with finalizing such agreements, such as discussing how to resolve differences with respect to operating the business. Firming up a legal agreement early will help ensure you have the right group of partners (and possibly investors), and can let you avoid costly legal disputes that affect your business’ value and operations.
Protect your brand – A brand is everything to a business – it’s what will get you noticed while your competitors toil in obscurity. Consumers and businesses develop loyalty to a brand. For example, without a logo on a bottle, could you tell which toothpaste you were squeezing onto your toothbrush? In the absence of the proper protections, however, these differentiators can easily be co-opted. An experienced intellectual property attorney can serve as a critical guide to obtaining trademarks for your company’s name, logos and designs. Similarly, they can determine whether your business’ products and services can be copyrighted, patented or otherwise protected. By doing this, you are not only protecting yourself – you’re adding tangible value to your business.
Own Your Significant Assets – The assets of a business – whether they be intellectual property, real estate or inventory – should usually be owned by the company and not the owners, individually. Owners having the title to company assets can cause significant problems, particularly if the business is in the process of being sold off or raising funds. Interested investors can be scared off by the individuals owning the assets and any imbalance among owners could give one party leverage over their partners during a sale. Waiting to transfer assets may also potentially have serious tax consequences. Make sure that the company owns what it needs to operate its business or, in some instances, has long-term licenses to such assets. Also, when entering into agreements with independent contractors, protect what makes your venture unique by structuring the agreements so that you have sole ownership of the products developed by these independent contractors.
Protect Confidential Information – A company’s confidential information often adds significant value to the business, whether it is a secret recipe or customer information. And in the consumer financial, health information and other business-to-business sectors, you will most likely have contractual and statutory obligations to protect the confidentiality of your customer information (as well as potential liability for breaches). Therefore, it is important to have contracts with your employees, consultants and vendors to ensure that they protect confidential information.
Consider The Source – In today’s digital world, the beginnings of a new business almost invariably involve some form of technology, even if the business would not be considered a “tech” company. Entrepreneurs – particularly those whose code may represent proprietary information vital to their business – should be careful about using what’s called “open source” code or software. Using open source has its benefits – most obviously, it’s free and easy to utilize. For many companies, however, it can be of great harm to their overall value. In some instances, what is developed using open source code is required to be shared publicly, which would include sharing it with your competitors. It is not uncommon for a company’s value to be diminished after a potential buyer discovers that the company has used open source to develop software that the company uses in its business — especially if the company’s business involves licensing this software.

N.J. health care industry reacts to GOP Trumpcare

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the American Health Care Act Thursday.

The bill will move to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

Here is how some of New Jersey’s leaders, both elected and industry officials, reacted to the news.

Sen. Joe Vitale (D-Woodbridge)

“Once again, the Republicans are trying to push through a proposal that is sure to have a devastating impact on millions of Americans and their ability to afford and access health care.

“Pushing their agenda hastily without the benefit of an updated Congressional Budget Office score and within 24 hours after final amendments were posted is not only suspect, but it strips Americans of their right to have this plan fairly scrutinized.

“Without any analysis or proper review, we don’t know the implications of this new bill, how much it would cost or who it would cover.

“What we do know is that the revised bill eliminates protections for those with pre-existing health conditions by allowing states to seek waivers from the ACA’s current requirement that insurers charge people the same for coverage regardless any pre-existing conditions.

“We know that it will hamper our efforts to fight addiction in New Jersey, our leading public health crisis, by chipping away at all our efforts to expand mental health care and substance abuse treatment.

“Hundreds of thousands of New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents could lose coverage if the Medicaid expansion is eliminated as is planned under this proposal.

“Per capita caps or block grants would cause the most harm to our disabled population, and would not sustain our efforts to expand support services that allow these individuals to lead the fullest lives possible.

“Our Congressional delegates who voted for this bill are foolish to support such a proposal. Representing the needs of New Jersey residents should be first and foremost, and a vote in favor of this bill is in direct conflict with what our residents deserve.”

Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Vorhees)

“I am appalled by the House Republican’s vote on the American Health Care Act. By repealing protections that were put in place by the 2010 Affordable Care Act, nearly 509,000 New Jerseyans would be left without insurance. This plan would do nothing to make healthcare more affordable for women and families who have seen costs drop thanks to the Affordable Care Act. The effect would be quite the opposite, with sweeping premium hikes for our working families.

“Women would be among the hardest hit by these reforms. Under this plan, women would see increases to their health costs, from higher premiums on women of childbearing age to price hikes on elderly women, who are statistically more likely to live in poverty than their male counterpart.

“Among the most dangerous and destructive elements of this bill is the freeze on Medicaid expansion. By denying coverage to those who need it the most, working women and men will be forced to make the hard choice between keeping the lights on and paying for their family’s medical needs.

“If this legislation is signed into law, healthcare costs will skyrocket for residents throughout our state. I urge the Senate to weigh any potential cost savings that this bill may have against the well-being of their constituents and vote no.”

Ray Castro, direct of health policy, New Jersey Policy Perspective

“Today Congressmen Frelinghuysen and MacArthur put their political party ahead of the health care of tens of thousands of their own constituents by voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a wholly inadequate substitute that will eviscerate Medicaid, drive up insurance premiums and gut consumer protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Thankfully, they were the lone New Jersey Representatives to do so, with the other 10 members – including fellow Republican Congressmen Lance, LoBiondo and Smith – rightly seeing this legislation for what it is: An attack on the health, well-being and economic security of hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans.

“Despite the doublespeak down in D.C., none of the amendments and last-minute additions – including Rep. MacArthur’s own – made this bill substantively better. And they are all built on a faulty foundation of a proposal that strips health care from 24 million Americans, drives up premiums and shifts costs to the states – all in order to deliver massive tax cuts for the wealthiest families.”

Statement from U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez

“When Republicans first failed at repealing the Affordable Care Act, they could have come to the table to work with Democrats on a bipartisan bill to make the law better. Instead, they doubled-down on a plan that will drive up health care costs for all Americans, strip coverage away from 24 million people, and abandon guaranteed protections for people with pre-existing conditions.I cannot fathom what moral compass guides these representatives to treat their own constituents so cruelly, other than hatred towards a president who is no longer in office. What I do know is that with this vote, House Republicans have shown they never intended to make our health care system more affordable, efficient, or accountable to the American people.

“As a senior member of the Finance Committee, I am ready to fight tooth and nail to defend the people whose lives depend on the Affordable Care Act and the hard-won gains it delivered to America’s families – all of whom deserve the ability to visit a doctor without fear of being sent into bankruptcy.

“Sen. Menendez will visit Hackensack University Medical Center tomorrow to meet with patients, their families and other New Jersey constituents who stand to lose their healthcare coverage under the GOP repeal bill.”

HHS Sec. Tom Price

“The status quo is failing the American people. Premiums are skyrocketing; choices are narrowing or vanishing; and patients do not have access to the care they need. Today, the House of Representatives has begun to deliver on President Trump’s promise to repeal a broken law and replace it with solutions that put patients in charge. This is a victory for the American people.

“The American Health Care Act is focused on patients. It is the first step toward a patient-centered healthcare system that will provide Americans access to quality, affordable healthcare coverage, empowering individuals and families to choose the coverage that best meets their needs, not what Washington forces them to buy, and equipping states to address the diverse needs of their most vulnerable populations. As Congress continues its work, the team at HHS will continue to support the reform effort by reviewing and initiating administrative actions to put patients, families and doctors in charge of medical decisions, bring down costs, and increase choices.”

Betsy Ryan, CEO and president, New Jersey Hospital Association

“This is a very sad day for those of us committed to the health of the American people. Today, the House passed a bill that endangers the well-being of at least 24 million Americans whose health insurance is now in jeopardy.

“Our hope is that the U.S. Senate will stand firm and refuse to pass a bill that impacts senior citizens, children and families, the disabled, veterans and millions of others, including 800,000 New Jersey residents who gained health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and 1.8 million who are covered under Medicaid. We implore the Senate to uphold its fiscal duty by waiting for a nonpartisan score of the bill by the Congressional Budget Office. We thank New Jersey’s Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker for putting their constituents first and expressing their opposition to the American Health Care Act.

“There is one bright spot, however, for the people of New Jersey. We can be very proud of the members of our congressional delegation who showed the courage to stand up against political pressure and vote “No” on the American Health Care Act. We applaud them: Donald Norcross (D-1), Frank LoBiondo (R-2), Chris Smith (R-4), Josh Gottheimer (D-5), Frank Pallone (D-6), Leonard Lance (R-7), Albio Sires (D-8), Bill Pascrell (D-9), Donald Payne (D-10) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12).”

NARAL Pro-Choice American President Ilyse Hogue:

“President Trump and Congressional Republicans have shown once again their commitment to punishing and burdening women with every step they take. When they undermine and take away the healthcare we need as women, they’re clearly saying that women and our ability to plan and care for our families are not their priority. Giving money to their rich friends is. That is where they are so out of step with those they claim to represent.

“Americans did not vote to have their healthcare taken away or to have their access to birth control cut off—the popularity of the Affordable Care Act proves that. Millions have marched in the streets, called their representatives, and protested at town halls to protect women’s access to healthcare, and our 1.2 million member-activists will keep rising up in protest and demanding their leaders expand women’s freedom and equality.”

Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-N.J.)

“This plan would cause severe and lasting damage to the many people who have gained medical care and to the states that benefited from cost savings. This politically-inspired plan was rushed to a vote without a full explanation of its costs and consequences, but we know that it would sacrifice the progress we have made and cause irreparable harm.

“It would strip away affordable care for countless Americans, raise rates for working families, allow insurance companies to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, increase premiums for senior citizens and impose a costly burden to the state. The benefits of the expanded Medicaid services would be lost, eliminating medical care for hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans and imposing hundreds of millions of dollars in costs to the state budget.

“This plan would leave many low-income families uninsured and vulnerable to the devastating impact of health problems with no means of affording treatment and care. It would also impose costly responsibilities to state finances in lost Medicaid funds and increases in uncompensated care. I urge the Senate to prevent this legislation from getting to President Trump and to denying him the ability to make it law.”

HPAE President Ann Twomey

“After months of protest and outrage, Congress dismissed pleas from their constituents, patients and working families by passing legislation to take away healthcare from millions of Americans by dismantling the Affordable Care Act. This is a tax-cut bill for the wealthy not a health care bill. Cutting taxes for the richest in our society at the expense of the health of children, senior citizens, the disabled and anyone with a pre-existing condition is an abomination and we will continue to fight the legislation as it moves on to the US Senate.

“It is shameful and irresponsible.

“In New Jersey just two Congressmen voted in favor of this legislation, Representatives Rodney Frelinghuysen and Tom MacArthur, harming working families by taking away their health coverage, raising the cost of coverage for those with chronic conditions and placing families in danger of being unable to access and afford healthcare services.

“As health professionals we cannot sit by and idly watch our Federal Representatives place our patients and our families in jeopardy while they themselves continue to preserve their own coverage and their own interests, not the interests of the American people.”

Newark celebrates Small Business Week with 9th annual Next Level Conference

During Small Business Week 2017, the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership and the Newark Community Development Corp. awarded $11,500 in capital to small business owners and entrepreneurs at its 9th annual Next Level Conference.The conference was held May 1 to 2 at the Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott.

The winners of this year’s capital are as follows:

$10,000 Business Plan and Pitch Competition to Natasha Green of WeIntervene, an app that helps school staff support students and families, and intercept those who have fallen into the school-to-prison pipeline;
$500 Business Pitch Bowl to Tara Williams-Harrington of Bricks 4 Kidz Essex County for entrepreneurs seeking expert feedback on their pitches;
$1,000 grand prize to Lori Schlakman of Tabooze, a zero-calorie, no shake, no stir cocktail mixer in a fizzy tablet form.

“The Next Level Conference not only benefits entrepreneurs, business owners and business professionals who attend, but also galvanizes Newark’s economic success,” said Aisha Glover, acting president and CEO of Newark Community Economic Development Corp. “Newark is a hub for entrepreneurial activity and is the perfect city for growing businesses to expand. The resources and knowledge shared at Next Level are the perfect backdrop for businesses and entrepreneurs of all stages looking to grow and create job opportunities in Newark and beyond.”

This year’s theme was Survive and Thrive, “Rise Up, Ramp Up. Reach New Heights!”

Attendees of the event enjoyed panels, coaching and keynote addresses from top business leaders, including Melinda Emerson, The Small Biz Lady; Twyla Garrett, president of Investment Management Services; Darryl Bumpass Sr., best-selling author and motivational speaker; Dawn Brolin, CEO of Powerful Accounting; Muoyo Okoye, founder of Daily Spark; Jeff Naeem, founder of Junk-A-Haulics; Ethan Chazin, president and founder of The Chazin Group; and Ramon Ray, founder and editor of Smart Hustle Magazine.

EDA opens applications for 2017 Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority announced it has started accepting applications online for 2017’s New Jersey Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program.The NOL Program, which is administered by the EDA and the New Jersey Department of Treasury’s Division of Taxation, allows eligible life sciences and tech companies to sell unused New Jersey net operating losses and research development tax credits to unrelated profitable corporations.

Eligible companies interested in the program must apply online by June 30.

“Considered a lifeline by entrepreneurs around the state, no EDA program has been more highly-touted by the technology and biotechnology community than the NOL Program,” EDA CEO Melissa Orsen said. “The non-dilutive cash received through the program has helped hundreds of small businesses get through critical stages of development and ultimately flourish in the Garden State.”

Since the program began, more than 500 companies have been approved for awards totaling more than $905 million, the EDA said. Last year, 40 companies were approved to sell $35 million in benefits.

According to the EDA, Holmdel-based Avlino Inc. participated in the NOL Program for the first time last year. Avlino offers solutions and services in analytics for companies.

“The NOL Program created an opportunity for Avlino to sell back its net-operating losses and R&D tax credits to profitable companies,” Avlino Founder, CEO and President Ramana Jampala said. “Under this program, Avlino was able to reinvest those dollars back into product development and to augment our New Jersey-based team.”

Medical device company Svelte Medical Systems in New Providence and Angel Medical Systems in Shrewsbury have also both benefited from the program.

“It is perhaps the NOL Program that has been the most beneficial to both Svelte and Angel Medical, bringing in millions of dollars over a ten-year period that are non-dilutive to shareholders and help with financing new medical technologies to help people,” Dr. David Fischell, serial entrepreneur and owner of the two companies, said.

CytoSorbents, a Monmouth Junction-based biotechnology business, has used the NOL Program to raise capital as it commercializes its blood purification technology.

A complete list of requirements and program details can be found at http://www.njeda.com/nol.

N.J. Business Action Center offers expert support to small business owners across the Garden State

More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and small businesses create approximately two thirds of the country’s new private-sector jobs. At the same time, over half of new businesses face significant and unique challenges within the first five years.National Small Business Week, which takes place from April 30 to May 6, celebrates the impact of entrepreneurs and small business owners on the American economy. In New Jersey, the N.J. Business Action Center (NJ BAC) is helping small businesses grow by offering business owners specialized support. Specifically, we offer a checklist for small business owners, covering everything from choosing a company name to payroll and taxation.

Here are the four most important resources that the NJ BAC provides to small business owners:

Real-time mentoring assistance: The NJ BAC call center is a readily available resource for business owners seeking immediate assistance for issues including: financing and incentives programs, permitting and regulatory processes, and site selection services. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST every week day, the advocates at the NJ BAC respond to entrepreneurs within seconds, fielding an average of 600 calls per week. Last year, the call center (1-800-JERSEY-7) counseled over 30,000 businesses. Spanish-speaking advocates are available.

Financing and incentive programs: Need a business loan to finance an expansion? There are a variety of financing options available to businesses through the N.J. Economic Development Authority and community-based micro-lending organizations. The NJ BAC can identify the specific programs for which a business may be eligible — saving entrepreneurs valuable time. Furthermore, we can assist with credit repair services to help position a favorable application process.

Export assistance: Are you interested in marketing your business internationally? For exporting basics, regulatory compliance, customs procedures, grants and more, the NJ BAC can put small businesses in touch with a team of International advocates who can help lay the groundwork for global success. Specifically, companies can apply for funding for international marketing initiatives including trade shows and translation costs through the NJ STEP grant program; click here for more details: NJSTEP.NJ.GOV.

“Resources for Business Growth” events: Throughout the year, the NJ BAC hosts events that match business owners with state and county representatives and community partners to learn more about available resources. Next week, NJ BAC representatives will attend the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey’s event in Saddle Brook, offering small businesses the opportunity to meet face-to-face and receive direct consultation.

“Business owners are on the job every day and are often too busy to come to our offices in Trenton,” said Lauren Moore, executive director, New Jersey Business Action Center. “We frequently travel across the state to provide information on the resources we offer to help our state’s businesses succeed.”

For a full calendar of upcoming events, visit: https://www.njsbdc.com/

About the NJ Business Action Center

Operating under the leadership of Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, the New Jersey Business Action Center encourages the optimum conditions for business growth and job creation in the state. The BAC’s experienced business advocates work to retain and attract businesses to New Jersey — providing a customer-oriented approach to assist business of all sizes. The NJ BAC call center can be reached at 1-800-JERSEY-7. http://www.nj.gov/njbusiness/

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