Congress passed a five‑year reauthorization of the SBIR and STTR programs after a multimonth lapse, restoring critical federal seed grants for small biotech firms. BIO hailed the move as essential for early‑stage innovation; NIH and other agencies will soon reopen applications. The reauthorization aims to accelerate translational work and help startups bridge preclinical gaps that attract later‑stage investors. Industry groups plan to coordinate with agencies to streamline grant access and maximize commercialization outcomes.