Success Stories - Trade
Located in Johnstown, ITSI-Biosciences LLC (ITSIBIO) is a leading developer of ready-to-use kits for biomedical research. They also provide fast, accurate and affordable genomics, proteomics and mass spectrometry services using state-of-the-art technologies along with custom analytical kits and reagents for room-temperature DNA, RNA, and protein storage.
Dr. Richard Somiari, ITSIBIO’s Founder, President & Chief Scientific Officer, contacted his Regional Export Network (REN) partner, the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission’s (SAP&DC), to apply for a Global Access Program (GAP) grant to offset costs for a planned business trip to meet with government officials and potential customers in Nigeria, Cameroon, and South Africa.
While on the trip, Dr. Somiari reached out to SAP&DC to share an update: “I am in Nigeria now and I have great news. I am happy to inform you that this trip has been a success. We have been awarded a new contract in Nigeria, and that is thanks to your support.” Dr. Somiari also identified a company to represent ITSIBIO in Cameroon along with the introduction of a nucleic acid stabilization product into three countries in Africa.
The Global Access Program (GAP) is administered by BusinessPA and provides grants of up to $10,000 to qualifying Pennsylvania companies to offset costs associated with specific export promotion activities. GAP is funded in part through a federal grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).