California stem cell chairman Robert Klein says he now has commitments for the $50 million he has been trying to raise to fund grants approved six months ago by the stem cell agency.
Klein made the disclosure to a stem cell conference in San Francisco earlier this week. The next steps will come from the state treasurer's office to formally approve the bond anticipation notes and do the paperwork. An official in the treasurer's office said that process normally takes only a few weeks.
Of course, that assumes normal proceedings. However, it may also be necessary to arrange for some hoopla to recognize the buyers of the notes and maximize their public impact. State Treasurer Phil Angelides, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, also may want to be sure the proceedings enhance his campaign.
With exception of one purchaser, Klein has not identified the buyers. But he has targeted philanthropic organizations. One reason is that the notes will not be repaid if the state loses the lawsuits against the agency. The risk involved means that the notes will carry a higher interest rate than normal state bonds.
Klein discussed the financing in appearances before The Stem Cell Meeting, sponsored by Burrill and Co., in San Francisco. Burrill is a life sciences merchant bank with more than $500 million under management. The conference drew hundreds of participants from across the nation and internationally.
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