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Long Island Biomentoring Initiative Established

Program Established to Foster Vibrant Bioscience Cluster in the Region

On Friday, November 18th at the Long Island High Technology Incubator, the Long Island BioMentor Initiative (LIBMI) will be hosting its first full-day mentor training session for the founding mentors of the new initiative. Led by the Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University and Accelerate Long Island, the LIBMI has been established on behalf of the Long Island Bioscience Hub – an NIH-designated Research, Evaluation, and Commercialization Hub. The LIBMI is a platform to bring highly qualified, volunteer mentors together with motivated, early-stage bioentrepreneurs to provide guidance and support as they advance their business strategy.

The LIBMI is based on the successful mentoring model developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Venture Mentoring Service (VMS), and created in collaboration with Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Hofstra University, and the Feinstein Institute at Northwell Health Systems. Through MIT VMS’s team mentoring approach, the LIBMI aims to provide objective and unbiased advice that will help entrepreneurs navigate the challenging landscape that growing bioscience ventures face. Mentors participating in the November 18th training session led by a MIT VMS Co-Director will benefit from curriculum and interactive teachings along with a mentoring session with one of the first entrepreneurs chosen to serve as mentee.

“There is an abundance of innovation on Long Island as well as a growing pool of entrepreneurs looking to create ventures that will take root and grow in the region” said Mark Lesko, Board Member, Accelerate Long Island. Diane Fabel, Director of Operations for the Center for Biotechnology added “Establishing a formal mentoring program, specifically for the bioscience sector, is critical as these companies need diverse support in order for them to thrive.”

The initiative employs the team mentoring approach and brings together experts with great depth and a range of experiences. The members of the founding mentor team include Dr. Linda Amper, Chief People Officer of Clever Devices; Dr. Gian Luca Araldi, founder and principal of US Pharma Services; Kara Cannon, Global Head of Sales & Marketing of Enzo Life Sciences, Inc.; Dr. Anil Dhundale, former Executive Director of the Long Island High Technology Incubator; Dr. Wayne Koff, President and CEO of Human Vaccines Project; Ric Overton, President of Overton Operations Advisors; Jeff Peacock, VP Global Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs at Henry Schein, Inc.; Dr. Saied Tousi, Managing Director for NW Advisors; and Edward Travaglianti, Market President of Long Island for TD Bank.

The entire process is guided by a statement of principles to ensure confidentiality and a conflict free environment. The initiative will build upon a suite of services and resources provided by the NIH-designated Research, Evaluation, and Commercialization Hub (LI Bioscience Hub), Accelerate Long Island and the Emerging Technology Fund, the New York State Center for Advanced Technology in Medical Biotechnology.

“It’s important to me to help support the entrepreneurial ecosystem on Long Island” founding mentor Ed Travaglianti stated, “and the team approach expands our capacity, allowing us to mentor more than one entrepreneur.”

Learn more about the Long Island BioMentor Initiative here.

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The Center for Biotechnology is pleased to announce a request for proposals for our Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) award program. Awards will be in two categories: Feasibility ($50k/12mo) and Proof of Concept ($100K/12 mo.) Details on the full funding program overview and proposal guidelines can be found here.

The development of promising innovations often stalls due to limited early-stage funding to address translational uncertainties. The Center for Biotechnology's Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) award program bridges the translation gap between biomedical discovery and their development toward commercial goals. Program funding is intended to determine feasibility, develop proof-of-concept, and ultimately lead to follow-on funding, a strategic partnership, or company formation.

The REACH program supports faculty and postdoctoral researchers in translating bio-based, bio-convergence, and bio-medical research discoveries by providing targeted funding and strategic guidance to bridge the translation gap between discovery and development for commercialization.

Learn more about the program, get information session details and access the full request for proposals here: https://centerforbiotechnology.org/what-we-do/technology-development/reach/

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Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled plans for New York BioGenesis Park, a groundbreaking $430 million Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Innovation Hub in Nassau County, Long Island. To be developed by The Albanese Organization, Inc., this state-of-the-art facility would catalyze CGT research, development, clinical manufacturing, and commercialization across New York State. With a historic $150 million state investment—the largest nationwide for a cell and gene therapy hub—NYBGP would accelerate the delivery of new therapies from lab to patient in New York's diverse communities. This transformative hub aims to establish New York as the leading global destination for CGT innovation, driving economic growth, attracting top talent, and revolutionizing patient care statewide and beyond.

The Center for Biotechnology is thrilled to be counted as a partner in this effort, and is looking forward to working with our colleagues in the initiative to help catalyze and accelerate life-changing therapies.

New York BioGenesis Park is envisioned as a cutting-edge, full-service campus dedicated to advancing cell and gene therapies and accelerating their commercialization. At full build-out, the 700,000-square-foot park would create an end-to-end Cell and Gene Therapy innovation and supply center, featuring interconnected areas for public engagement, research, manufacturing, and collaboration.

A cornerstone of New York BioGenesis Park is its incubator, supported by a $50 million investment from ESD's Long Island Investment Fund. This facility will empower early-stage therapeutic developers by offering state-of-the-art wet lab space, shared equipment, office space, and other essential resources. This nurturing environment will provide Cell and Gene Therapy companies with access to specialized equipment, mentoring, and stage-appropriate financial guidance. As a critical component of New York BioGenesis Park, the incubator is poised to catalyze the growth of promising Cell and Gene Therapy companies by providing them with resources and support, unlocking their potential for innovation and success.

New York BioGenesis Park would foster strong ties with academic and medical institutions throughout New York, creating a robust ecosystem for Cell and Gene Therapy innovation. Collaborating with the Empire State Cellular Therapy Consortium and world-class institutions like Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the Feinstein Institutes, Northwell Health, Roswell Park, Stony Brook University, Weill Cornell, Columbia University and others around the state, New York BioGenesis Park would enhance research synergies and accelerate medical breakthroughs. This ecosystem would bring together experts in advanced Cell and Gene Therapy therapies, offering specialized facilities, services, and resources to both tenants and collaborating institutions. By facilitating cutting-edge science, innovative technology development and novel approaches to clinical trials, New York BioGenesis Park would ensure New York's institutions remain globally competitive in groundbreaking Cell and Gene Therapy research and commercialization.

Read the press release of Governor Hochul's announcement here:
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-launches-next-phase-long-islands-nation-leading-cell-and-gene-therapy

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Join the Center for Biotechnology at the 10th Annual Immuno-Oncology 360° Summit on February 27-29, 2024 at the New York Marriott At The Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn, NY!

IO360° offers an unparalleled opportunity to hear from stakeholders representing both the science and business communities who report on the latest data impacting ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​IO to fight a wider range of cancers. CFB constituents can take 15% off their registration cost with the code: CFB15 - Learn more and register here: https://io360summit.com/

[post_title] => 10th Annual Immuno-Oncology 360° Summit [post_excerpt] => Join the Center for Biotechnology at the 10th Annual Immuno-Oncology 360° Summit on February 27-29, 2024. 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This is the second Phase I STTR award for Traverse Biosciences this year. The research will be led by Lorne Golub, DMD, MD (Honorary) in the Department of Oral Biology and Pathology, and Ying Gu, PhD, DDS, in the Department of General Dentistry, who will serve as co-principle investigators on the award, in close collaboration with Traverse Biosciences. "I congratulate Traverse Biosciences on securing a second STTR award to advance their product development and commercialization efforts," stated Dr. Clinton Rubin, Director of the New York State Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University. He added, "STTR funding represents a significant milestone for graduates of our burgeoning BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence program, which is meant to impact the innovation economy and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region." A full press release can be found here: http://www.traversebiosciences.com/pr150126perio.html TraverseBioLogo2 [post_title] => Traverse Biosciences receives $205,709 Phase I STTR Award [post_excerpt] => Traverse Biosciences, founded by the Center's first appointed BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence Joseph Scaduto, was just awarded a $205,709, Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Award in Partnership with the School of Dental Medicine at Stony Brook University [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => traverse-biosciences-receives-205709-phase-i-sttr-award [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2023-05-13 16:06:32 [post_modified_gmt] => 2023-05-13 16:06:32 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/new/?p=1358 [menu_order] => 216 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [4] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2332 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2016-06-01 17:08:34 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-06-01 17:08:34 [post_content] => The Center for Biotechnology is seeking one or more qualified and motivated high school students interested in learning about and supporting technology development and commercialization of new biomedical innovations on behalf of the Long Island Bioscience Hub (LIBH). The LIBH is a National Institutes of Health-designated Research, Evaluation, and Commercialization Hub (REACH), one of only three such centers in the country. The LIBH supports the development and commercialization activities of its partner institutions including Stony Brook University, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and Brookhaven National Laboratory. Candidates for the Fellowship will have completed their sophomore year in high school, have a GPA of no less than a 3.0, and have an interest in exploring careers in a biomedical field. The Fellowship will run from August 1 - August 31. Some flexibility possible. Interested candidates should send a one-page statement of interest detailing their academic accomplishments and describing what they would like to gain from the Fellowship experience, along with a transcript to: Kristina Duryea kristina.duryea@stonybrook.edu. Selection Process: Deadline for application materials is July 15, 2016. Additional admissions procedures (including interviews, by telephone or in person) may be required. Notification: Applicants will generally be notified by July 22, 2016. One-two applicants are expected to be selected. 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The Center for Biotechnology is pleased to announce a request for proposals for our Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) award program. Awards will be in two categories: Feasibility ($50k/12mo) and Proof of Concept ($100K/12 mo.) Details on the full funding program overview and proposal guidelines can be found here.

The development of promising innovations often stalls due to limited early-stage funding to address translational uncertainties. The Center for Biotechnology's Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) award program bridges the translation gap between biomedical discovery and their development toward commercial goals. Program funding is intended to determine feasibility, develop proof-of-concept, and ultimately lead to follow-on funding, a strategic partnership, or company formation.

The REACH program supports faculty and postdoctoral researchers in translating bio-based, bio-convergence, and bio-medical research discoveries by providing targeted funding and strategic guidance to bridge the translation gap between discovery and development for commercialization.

Learn more about the program, get information session details and access the full request for proposals here: https://centerforbiotechnology.org/what-we-do/technology-development/reach/

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Funding Opportunity: Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH)Awards

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