Qui tam cases are a vital part of the Criminal Division’s future efforts. We encourage you to reach out to criminal authorities in appropriate cases, even when you are discussing the case with civil authorities. The sooner we on the criminal side learn about potential criminal conduct, the sooner we can investigate.

Today's Daily Dose brings you news about Cassava Sciences' research grant from the National Institutes of Health for developing Alzheimer's disease drug; Edwards Lifesciences' Q1 financial results; Enzo Biochem's launch of the next-generation COVID-19 test kits and Johnson & Johnson's deal with Emergent BioSolutions related to COVID-19 Vaccine candidate.

A study demonstrated Wellmune® may protect intestinal barrier function in adults when faced with stress.

ChromaDex Corp. announced NIAGEN® nicotinamide riboside prevented neurological damage and improved cognitive and physical function in a new mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.

Third Rock Ventures, the Boston-based venture capital firm behind some of the Bay State’s most prominent biotechs, has reclaimed its title as the biggest life science-focused VC firm in the state with a new $616 million round, and has also named its first female partner in eight years. With the announcement of its Fund IV today — its largest ever — the firm now has raised $1.9 billion in the nine years since it was formed. That eclipses its rival across the Charles River, Flagship Ventures,…

Congress is starting to consider ways to address the budget cap problem that hangs over the entire FY 21 appropriations process for non-defense discretionary (NDD) programs. Last year, Congress broke a long-running stalemate by agreeing to budget caps for FY 20 and FY 21. They decided to front-load the increases, making spending decisions (relatively) easier […]

The WHO and world leaders commit to a fund to accelerate development of vaccines, tests and treatments for COVID-19.

by Yeganeh Torbati

Democratic members of Congress are urging President Donald Trump to authorize FEMA to reimburse funeral expenses for victims of the coronavirus pandemic, citing ProPublica’s reporting about the administration’s policies.

“Just as with all previous disasters, we should not expect the families of those that died — or the hardest hit states — to pay for burials,” said the statement issued Friday from Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, and Rep. Peter DeFazio, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “President Trump needs to step up and approve this assistance so FEMA can pay for the funerals of our fellow Americans so they can be buried in dignity. It is the least he can do.”

ProPublica reported last week that Trump has yet to free up a pool of disaster funding specifically intended to help families cover burial costs, despite requests from approximately 30 states and territories. In lieu of federal help, grieving families are turning to religious institutions and online fundraisers to bury the dead.

Trump has sharply limited the kinds of assistance that FEMA can provide in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. In an April 28 memorandum, he authorized FEMA to provide crisis counseling services but said that authority “shall not be construed to encompass any authority to approve other forms of assistance.”

In a statement last week, a FEMA spokesperson said the approval of assistance programs “is made at the discretion of the President.” A spokeswoman for the White House’s Office of Management and Budget last week referred questions to FEMA, and she and two White House spokesmen did not respond to a request for comment on Monday.

The administration’s failure so far to pay for funeral costs does not appear to be because of a lack of funds. Congress gave FEMA’s disaster relief fund an extra boost of $45 billion in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act in March.

On Sunday, NJ Advance Media reported that as of April 25, FEMA had committed less than $6 billion in disaster relief for the coronavirus pandemic, and it has $80.5 billion in available disaster relief funds. The information was attributed to a FEMA spokesperson. FEMA did not respond to a request to confirm the figures.

Calls for FEMA aid are likely to spike in the coming months, as hurricane season approaches and wildfire activity hits an anticipated peak.

The amount FEMA reimburses for funeral expenses can vary, but a September 2019 report from the Government Accountability Office found that FEMA paid about $2.6 million in response to 976 applications for funeral costs of victims of three 2017 hurricanes, or an average of about $2,700 per approved application. If FEMA provided that amount for every one of the nearly 68,000 people in America reported to have died in the pandemic thus far, it would cost the government about $183 million.

Do you have access to information about the U.S. government response to the coronavirus that should be public? Email yeganeh.torbati@propublica.org. Here’s how to send tips and documents to ProPublica securely.

March 30, 2020 – In addition to providing millions of Americans and many industries with financial support during the coronavirus outbreak, the emergency relief bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on Friday accrues additional funding for the Food and Drug Administration’s coronavirus efforts and makes important changes to how […]

Venture capital firm Frazier Healthcare has grabbed Scott Byrd, Ian Mills, and Gordon McMurray as its new Entrepreneur-in-Residence consultants.

There is an âindisputable relation between vitamin D and the immune systemâ, says a new review that shows that avoiding vitamin D deficiency has clear benefits for immune health.

The U.N. triples its fundraising target for fighting the coronavirus, even as President Trump plans to freeze U.S. aid to its principal health agency.

SoftBank Vision Fund has started to rope in specialists to lead its efforts in China as early as 2018.

The post Gaocheng Capital founding partner Daisy Cai joins SoftBank Vision Fund appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

The White House named three nominees to sit on a board that oversees federal employee pension funds.

The post White House appointments to impact pension fund investment decisions in China appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

Arndt, who has been Future Fund's chief investment officer since 2014, will take over from acting CEO Cameron Price.

The post Australia’s Future Fund names Raphael Arndt as CEO appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

Stormbreaker Venture, an edtech accelerator, is a common investor in both the companies.

The post Thai Digest: Edtech startups Vonder, Conicle raise early-stage funding appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

The pair announced their first investment on Tuesday into edtech startup Eduka System.

The post Bukalapak co-founders Zaky, Xinuc set up early-stage VC fund Init 6 appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

In 2018, Funtap had raised $300,000 in a seed funding round from Korean investor Soulbei.

The post Vietnamese game publisher Funtap raises Series A round led by Makers Fund appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

It plans to use the funds to hire new talent, develop its product and technology further and scale up its lending volumes.

The post Indian fintech startup NIRA raises $2.1m in pre-series A funding appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

The company is further looking to raise Rs 250 crore in the next few quarters. 

The post India Deal Monitor: MYSUN snags about $4.3m funding and more updates appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

The funding also saw the participation of Omidyar Network, Shunwei Capital, BCCL, and Nexus Venture Partners.

The post Tencent leads $9.4m funding in Indian self-publishing platform Pratilipi appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

The fund was backed by several large financial institutions and the National Development Fund of Taiwan.

The post Japan’s JAFCO closes debut Taiwan venture fund at $67m appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

Cisco, Intel and JioNext will work with the YourNest team to help assess and shortlist applicants.

The post YourNest Venture Capital launches fast-track funding programme for Indian startups appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

The funding will be used to spruce up technology and expand product offerings.

The post India Deal Monitor: RTP Global leads $9m funding in Classplus and more updates appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

The company said the latest round was led by existing investor Sequoia Capital.

The post Fintech startup Robinhood raises fresh funds at $8.3b valuation appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

Innoangel Fund now manages over 3 billion yuan ($425 million).

The post Chinese early-stage tech investor Innoangel Fund closes RMB fund at $51m appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

Dakota will also establish “Myanmar’s first-ever cyber training centre."

The post Asia Digest: Dakota Ventures to invest $1m in Myanmar; Vietnam’s FoodHub raises funding appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

Chehaoduo was valued at over $9 billion after Vision Fund injected $1.5 billion into the firm in February 2019.

The post Car trader Chehaoduo nets $200m from SoftBank Vision Fund, Sequoia China appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

Tencent, which first invested in Enflame's pre-Series A round in July 2018, also topped up.

The post Tencent-backed Chinese AI startup Enflame raises nearly $100m Series B funding appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

The company focuses on providing alternatives to single-use plastics.

The post HK’s plant-based packaging startup Ecoinno bags $6m from Alibaba funds appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

The VC firm manages four funds with about 2.5 billion yuan ($352 million) in total AUM.

The post Chinese VC Linear Capital reaches first close of latest USD fund at $110m appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

It will use the funds to expand the reach of its solutions across India and the world.

The post India: Vesta Space Tech nabs $10m funding from US firm Next Capital appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

There's little point in founders fixating on growth this year, according to Anand. 

The post Now’s the time to make hard decisions, fix fundamentals: Sequoia’s Abheek Anand appeared first on DealStreetAsia.