Why it Matters
By the Numbers
NervGen has spent $340,000 on lobbying through Cornerstone since July 2021 across 11 filings. The company also retained DiNino Associates LLC for four filings in 2023 with $0 reported expenditures. The current team includes four Cornerstone lobbyists: Ashley Morgan Palmer, Susan Pearson Sweat, Christopher Michael Hodgson, and Jonathan Miller. The latest registration reported $0 in lobbying expenditures.
Broader Context
Congress faces mounting pressure over NIH funding cuts affecting neurological research. Sen. Tammy Baldwin has criticized cuts to clinical trials and Alzheimer’s research. Sen. Patty Murray, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro have condemned the termination of thousands of active NIH grants. House hearings have highlighted concerns about the Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on orphan drug development. These funding challenges create urgency for companies like NervGen to secure alternative research support.
The Agenda
NervGen focuses on legislation related to neurotrauma drug approval and medical research. The company has historically sought Department of Defense health research funding and biomedical research appropriations. Their advocacy targets central nervous system conditions and nervous system repair treatments. The registration lists Medical/Disease Research/Clinical Labs and Health Issues as primary categories. No specific legislation is identified in the current filing.
Competitive Landscape
Major pharmaceutical companies actively lobby on neurological disease policy. Biogen Inc. and Pfizer Inc. maintain significant lobbying presence. Disease-specific organizations like the American Academy of Neurology and Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation advocate for research funding. Industry groups including the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) lobby on drug development and regulation issues.
Between The Lines
Several bills align with NervGen’s interests. The H.R.2085 – Mental Health Research Accelerator Act of 2025 offers 25% tax credits for neurodegenerative disease research. The S.822 – Scientific EXPERT Act of 2025 and H.R.1532 – Scientific EXPERT Act of 2025 streamline rare disease treatment development. The S.2737 – Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act demonstrates federal commitment to innovative neurological treatments. Rep. Greg Murphy, Rep. Richard Hudson, and Sen. Thom Tillis have introduced the EPIC Act addressing research disincentives. Sen. Jerry Moran has led hearings on veteran spinal cord injury support.
The Bottom Line
NervGen’s continued partnership with Cornerstone reflects a measured approach to federal advocacy. The company maintains consistent lobbying investment while navigating an increasingly complex funding environment. With experienced Republican-connected lobbyists and a track record in defense health funding, NervGen appears positioned to advance its neurotrauma research agenda.
All data used in this article came from Legis1. Request a demo to learn more!
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