Back to News & Events

7 Dx firms to share $249M from NIH for COVID-19 testing

Seven companies were chosen by the NIH to receive funding for new technologies to boost their testing capacities and help them ramp up production of millions of coronavirus rapid tests to be made available by September 2020. A total of $248.7 million will be invested and shared by Mesa Biotech, Quidel, Talis Biomedical, Fluidigm, Ginkgo Bioworks, Helix OpCo and Mammoth Biosciences. Read more. (Via BIO Smart Brief/Reuters)

Related Stories

WP_Query Object
(
    [query] => Array
        (
            [post_type] => post
            [posts_per_page] => 3
            [post_status] => publish
            [orderby] => rand
        )

    [query_vars] => Array
        (
            [post_type] => post
            [posts_per_page] => 3
            [post_status] => publish
            [orderby] => rand
            [error] => 
            [m] => 
            [p] => 0
            [post_parent] => 
            [subpost] => 
            [subpost_id] => 
            [attachment] => 
            [attachment_id] => 0
            [name] => 
            [pagename] => 
            [page_id] => 0
            [second] => 
            [minute] => 
            [hour] => 
            [day] => 0
            [monthnum] => 0
            [year] => 0
            [w] => 0
            [category_name] => 
            [tag] => 
            [cat] => 
            [tag_id] => 
            [author] => 
            [author_name] => 
            [feed] => 
            [tb] => 
            [paged] => 0
            [meta_key] => 
            [meta_value] => 
            [preview] => 
            [s] => 
            [sentence] => 
            [title] => 
            [fields] => all
            [menu_order] => 
            [embed] => 
            [category__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_name__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [search_columns] => Array
                (
                )

            [ignore_sticky_posts] => 
            [suppress_filters] => 
            [cache_results] => 1
            [update_post_term_cache] => 1
            [update_menu_item_cache] => 
            [lazy_load_term_meta] => 1
            [update_post_meta_cache] => 1
            [nopaging] => 
            [comments_per_page] => 50
            [no_found_rows] => 
            [order] => 
        )

    [tax_query] => WP_Tax_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                )

            [relation] => AND
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [queried_terms] => Array
                (
                )

            [primary_table] => wp_posts
            [primary_id_column] => ID
        )

    [meta_query] => WP_Meta_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                )

            [relation] => 
            [meta_table] => 
            [meta_id_column] => 
            [primary_table] => 
            [primary_id_column] => 
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [clauses:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [has_or_relation:protected] => 
        )

    [date_query] => 
    [request] => SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS  wp_posts.ID
					 FROM wp_posts 
					 WHERE 1=1  AND wp_posts.post_type = 'post' AND ((wp_posts.post_status = 'publish'))
					 
					 ORDER BY RAND()
					 LIMIT 0, 3
    [posts] => Array
        (
            [0] => WP_Post Object
                (
                    [ID] => 5031
                    [post_author] => 3
                    [post_date] => 2026-08-10 12:17:19
                    [post_date_gmt] => 2026-08-10 16:17:19
                    [post_content] => 

Attention Stony Brook University Faculy and Staff: Applications for the second cycle of the President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF) opened August 3, 2026. Open to all Stony Brook faculty and staff, this special initiative supports immediate-impact projects that can be launched quickly and deliver results within six to ten months.

The FIF provides awards of up to $300,000 focused on low‑investment, high‑reward initiatives that create visible, positive change. Examples of projects that would be considered include specialized equipment or technology acquisitions, pilot programs or proof‑of‑concept initiatives, targeted renovations or seed funding, among other opportunities.

All proposals must include a customized, high-level budget and be endorsed by the relevant vice president or dean with authority to implement the project. Applications for the August cycle will be available beginning August 3 with submissions due Friday, August 21 by 5 pm, ET. Please visit the Fast Impact Fund website for additional information and to submit an application.

[post_title] => SBU President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF) [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => sbu-presidents-fast-impact-fund-fif [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-08-19 08:30:44 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-08-19 12:30:44 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=5031 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4659 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2025-02-18 09:17:11 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-02-18 14:17:11 [post_content] =>

The Center for Biotechnology is deeply saddened to share the loss of one of our biggest advocates and trusted advisors, Peter Young. Peter spent his career in the life-science industry, most recently as a Sr. Venture Partner and Executive-in- Residence with Pappas Capital. Until recently, he resided on Long Island and gave freely of his time and expertise to support our Center, and the emerging life sciences companies, entrepreneurs, and faculty innovators we work with to advance life science innovation into the market. Most importantly, Peter had a wonderful and kind spirit that he generously shared with all of us. He will be profoundly missed.

[post_title] => Peter Young, 1949-2025 [post_excerpt] => We are deeply saddened to share the loss of one of our biggest advocates and trusted advisors, Peter Young. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => peter-young-1949-2025 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-03-16 14:27:57 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-03-16 18:27:57 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=4659 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3450 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2020-03-05 14:18:23 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-03-05 14:18:23 [post_content] => The Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University has announced the appointment of Dr. Mario R. Mendoza as Executive-In-Residence, and Dr. William Mann as its newest BioEntrepreneur-In-Residence (BEIR). Drs. Mendoza and Mann have extensive bioscience industry experience affording them unique perspectives in their respective roles in residence at the Center for Biotechnology (CFB). Each will work with the CFB and the Long Island Bioscience Hub (LIBH), a collaboration between Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and the Feinstein Institute at Northwell Health. Dr. Mann will identify commercially promising academic technologies that have the potential to support company formation while Dr. Mendoza will serve in an advisory capacity for bioscience startup companies in the hub. Dr. Mario R Mendoza is a clinical anesthesiologist (practiced at the NIH) and currently a healthcare and pharmaceutical industry medical/medical affairs consultant with over 13 years of combined experience in patient clinical care, clinical development, R&D, medical affairs (Abbott, Pfizer and Centrexion Therapeutics), and FDA medical devices regulation. Dr. Mendoza earned his BS degree in chemistry from SUNY College at Old Westbury, and a MS in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He earned his M.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine and then completed an FDA Commissioner’s Fellowship Program and stayed on at FDA as a Medical Officer/Medical Consultant. Dr. William R. Mann is Principal of Lodestar Biopharma Solutions LLC, which assists clients in the development of R&D strategies for regulatory and commercial success, business development, and M&A. Previously, he was President and CEO at Helsinn Therapeutics (US), where he transformed the sixteen employee R&D start-up into a profitable commercial company with a team of over one hundred. At Sapphire Therapeutics, Dr. Mann facilitated an investor exit through M&A while managing the company’s lead clinical development program. He also held leadership positions at Novartis in R&D and business development. Dr. Mann holds a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland and an MBA from Rutgers University. “We are excited to have Mario and Bill join us at the Center for Biotechnology. Their extensive and varied industry experiences are wonderful assets to our program. The further expansion of our BEIR Program allows us to continue to advance our agenda, fueling the developing bioscience industry in the region” Diane Fabel, Director of Operations at the Center for Biotechnology said. “I’m thrilled to become an Executive-in-Residence for the Center for Biotechnology.” stated Dr. Mendoza “I’m greatly looking forward to getting involved with biotech industry innovators collaborating with the organization. I believe the bioscience community in the region is robust and the support and partnership with organizations like the Center for Biotechnology are critical in driving innovation in the biotech space, and in getting innovative patient-centric products to market for the benefit of the patient and healthcare provider communities.” “The work of the Center for Biotechnology is incredibly important to the bioscience community in the region, and I’m eager to be joining the organization.” Dr. Mann stated. “The innovation potential within the region is immense, and I look forward to the collaborative opportunities that lie ahead.” Dr. Mann will work to identify a technology or technologies from within LIBH partner institutions that will create the foundation for licensing and company formation. He will have the support of the Center for Biotechnology business and technology development staff, as well as the support of external industry advisors to develop successful commercialization strategies. Ultimately, the goal is to help the company position itself for SBIR/STTR grant opportunities, as well as Angel and VC investment. In his role as Executive-in-Residence, Dr. Mendoza will offer invaluable support to the CFB client company portfolio by providing guidance and expertise in diverse areas including, but not limited to, product development, intellectual property strategy, regulatory affairs, capital formation, medical affairs and reimbursement. The addition of Drs. Mendoza and Mann marks ten entrepreneurs and two executives-in-residence working with the Center for Biotechnology under their BIER program. Collectively, the Center for Biotechnology BEIRS have launched twelve new companies since the program’s inception in 2013. View PDF announcement [post_title] => CFB Announces New Bioentrepreneur & Executive-In-Residence [post_excerpt] => Joining the Center for Biotechnology as Dr. Mario R. Mendoza as Executive-In-Residence, and Dr. William Mann as BioEntrepreneur-In-Residence (BEIR). [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => cfb-beir-2020 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2020-03-05 15:18:08 [post_modified_gmt] => 2020-03-05 15:18:08 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3450 [menu_order] => 74 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4969 [post_author] => 6 [post_date] => 2026-03-23 14:03:09 [post_date_gmt] => 2026-03-23 18:03:09 [post_content] =>

We have exciting news to share for one of our Cfb clients Biocogent, a research and development biotechnology company that manufactures ingredients used in topical and medical skin care products. The company has recently closed a $10 million deal with Town of Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency (IDA)  to establish a three-building campus in North Bellport and invest further in infrastructure and equipment and bring outsourced manufacturing back to Long Island, expanding from their previous 12,000 square foot facility at Stony Brook University's Long Island High Tech Incubator.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to work with the Brookhaven IDA to enable us to expand our business operation on Long Island,” said Joseph Ceccoli, President and CEO of Biocogent. “We share a strong mutual commitment to Long Island’s continued growth as a biotechnology leader in the region.”

“High-tech, well-paying manufacturing and R&D jobs like what Biocogent will bring to the Town of Brookhaven is what will help stem the brain drain of our young people,” said Frederick C. Braun III, Chairman of the Town of Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency. “The economic future of Long Island depends on attracting and retaining companies like Biocogent.”

The expansion of Biocogent’s operation will require a $10 million capital investment and additional personnel for its Bellport location. Biocogent will retain its operations and personnel currently located at the Stony Brook Long island High Technology Incubator.

[post_title] => Skincare Manufacturing Company, Biocogent, Plans $10 million Expansion in North Bellport [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => skincare-manufacturing-company-biocogent-plans-10-million-expansion-in-north-bellport [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-03-23 14:05:19 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-03-23 18:05:19 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=4969 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 4 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => 1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5031 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2026-08-10 12:17:19 [post_date_gmt] => 2026-08-10 16:17:19 [post_content] =>

Attention Stony Brook University Faculy and Staff: Applications for the second cycle of the President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF) opened August 3, 2026. Open to all Stony Brook faculty and staff, this special initiative supports immediate-impact projects that can be launched quickly and deliver results within six to ten months.

The FIF provides awards of up to $300,000 focused on low‑investment, high‑reward initiatives that create visible, positive change. Examples of projects that would be considered include specialized equipment or technology acquisitions, pilot programs or proof‑of‑concept initiatives, targeted renovations or seed funding, among other opportunities.

All proposals must include a customized, high-level budget and be endorsed by the relevant vice president or dean with authority to implement the project. Applications for the August cycle will be available beginning August 3 with submissions due Friday, August 21 by 5 pm, ET. Please visit the Fast Impact Fund website for additional information and to submit an application.

[post_title] => SBU President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF) [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => sbu-presidents-fast-impact-fund-fif [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-08-19 08:30:44 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-08-19 12:30:44 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=5031 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [comment_count] => 0 [current_comment] => -1 [found_posts] => 284 [max_num_pages] => 95 [max_num_comment_pages] => 0 [is_single] => [is_preview] => [is_page] => [is_archive] => [is_date] => [is_year] => [is_month] => [is_day] => [is_time] => [is_author] => [is_category] => [is_tag] => [is_tax] => [is_search] => [is_feed] => [is_comment_feed] => [is_trackback] => [is_home] => 1 [is_privacy_policy] => [is_404] => [is_embed] => [is_paged] => [is_admin] => [is_attachment] => [is_singular] => [is_robots] => [is_favicon] => [is_posts_page] => [is_post_type_archive] => [query_vars_hash:WP_Query:private] => 325c4f9f1aebaa5ec90666fa54175ba0 [query_vars_changed:WP_Query:private] => [thumbnails_cached] => [allow_query_attachment_by_filename:protected] => [stopwords:WP_Query:private] => [compat_fields:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => query_vars_hash [1] => query_vars_changed ) [compat_methods:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => init_query_flags [1] => parse_tax_query ) [query_cache_key:WP_Query:private] => )

SBU President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF)

More Information

Peter Young, 1949-2025

More Information

CFB Announces New Bioentrepreneur & Executive-In-Residence

More Information

Skincare Manufacturing Company, Biocogent, Plans $10 million Expansion in North Bellport

More Information