Most disease foundations are passive grant-givers. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a very different beast—more like a biotech financier. Robert beall called half a dozen biotech companies two years ago, inquiring about automated technology to screen for cystic fibrosis drugs. Most didn't even return his phone call. Beall is used to that kind of treatment. He heads not a big drug company, but the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. "The attitude is, 'First, your disease is small, and second, you're a charity,'" says Beall.
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