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Center for Biotechnology Continues to Expand B-EIR Program

The Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University has announced the appointment of Mohan Chellani, PhD, and Michael Bielski, MS, JD to the position of BioEntrepreneurs-In-Residence (B-EIR). Both Dr. Chellani and Mr. Bielski have extensive bioscience industry experience at the senior management level, and have successfully commercialized multiple academic innovations. Their roles as BEIRs is to identify technologies that have the potential to support company formation in the region. Each brings unique skills and perspectives to technology assessment and bioscience-startups.

Dr. Chellani has over twenty years of experience in the diagnostics industry prior to his

appointment as B-EIR, having served as VP, Scientific Affairs at Enzo Biochem, and as a

Director and Advisor to Quest Diagnostics. He has also served as founder and CEO of two startup companies, Progen Life Sciences and Discitis Diagnostics. Dr. Chellani holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UMD-New Jersey and an MBA from Fordham University.

Mr. Bielski has founded multiple technology companies, including co-founding NewLeaf Symbiotics, Inc., an agricultural biotechnology company that has raised over $25M in venture capital. He also served as the Assistant Director for Science and Technology Commercialization at the Center for Biotechnology for six years prior to pursuing his entrepreneurial ventures. Mr. Bielski holds a JD and an MS in Neuroscience from Syracuse University.

Both Dr. Chellani and Mr. Bielski will conduct due diligence to identify a technology or

technologies around which they may build a company. If successful, they will also be provided with access to a technology development budget that will help them position the technology for commercialization. B-EIRs also have access to the Center’s business and technology development support staff to help develop appropriate business strategies. Ultimately, the goal is to help the company prepare for SBIR/STTR grant opportunities, and Angel and VC investment.

Read the full press release.

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                    [post_date] => 2025-03-20 12:10:54
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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/

[post_title] => Funding Opportunity: Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH)Awards [post_excerpt] => The Center for Biotechnology is pleased to announce a request for proposals for our REACH award program. Awards will be in two categories: Feasibility ($50k/12mo) and Proof of Concept ($100K/12 mo.) [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => news-reach25 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-03-24 12:11:36 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-24 16:11:36 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=4804 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4488 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2024-10-24 10:45:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2024-10-24 14:45:00 [post_content] =>

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

[post_title] => Long Island to be location for Nation-Leading Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Hub: New York BioGenesis Park. [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => long-island-to-be-location-for-nation-leading-cell-and-gene-therapy-innovation-hub-new-york-biogenesis-park [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-02-26 16:35:20 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-02-26 21:35:20 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=4488 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3721 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2021-03-29 13:10:24 [post_date_gmt] => 2021-03-29 13:10:24 [post_content] =>

BARDA DRIVe is seeking information on developments in anticoagulation drugs, assays, and management in the specific context of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. The intent is to identify areas of innovation that can solve the challenges posed by anticoagulation in ECMO or improve on the ways this issue is currently being addressed. BARDA will not execute any awards based on this notice. This RFI solely aims to gather knowledge on present and future capabilities and other pertinent marketplace data to strengthen BARDA’s understanding of the current developmental landscape of this field. This does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). More information can be found here:
https://beta.sam.gov/opp/e9e7f046d7234dae9f14c1b38a5a20f9/view

The RFI will be open until 04 May 2021, and interested companies should submit their responses to DRIVeContracting@hhs.gov.


[post_title] => BARDA: Call for Information [post_excerpt] => BARDA DRIVe is seeking information on developments in anticoagulation drugs, assays, and management in the specific context of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => barda-call-for-information [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2021-09-20 16:11:14 [post_modified_gmt] => 2021-09-20 16:11:14 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3721 [menu_order] => 51 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2153 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2016-04-21 12:57:02 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-04-21 12:57:02 [post_content] => Stony Brook University-led initiative to accelerate commercialization of biomedical discoveries STONY BROOK, AND MANHASSET, N.Y. – April 21, 2016 – The Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University and the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, the research arm of Northwell Health, announced that the Feinstein Institute will be joining the Long Island Bioscience Hub (LIBH). Established with a National Institutes of Health grant in 2015, Stony Brook's Center for Biotechnology is the lead administrative institution for the LIBH, an NIH-designated Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH). It is one of three such Hubs in the country, the mission of which is to accelerate the translation of biomedical discoveries into new drugs, devices, and diagnostics to enhance health and improve patient care. The Feinstein Institute joins LIBH members Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The addition of the Feinstein Institute fulfills one of the Hub’s goals of coordinating comprehensive technology commercialization efforts across all four major bioscience research institutions on Long Island. “We look forward to working with the Feinstein Institute, and their involvement in the Long Island Bioscience Hub further enriches the region’s burgeoning innovation economy and entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Clinton Rubin, PhD, Director of the Center for Biotechnology. “The Feinstein Institute is a world leader in multiple areas of biomedical research, and their expertise will complement the groundbreaking work being done at Stony Brook, Brookhaven Lab, and Cold Spring Harbor.” “The Feinstein Institute’s focus is on advancing science, treating disease, and bringing healthcare innovations to patients,” stated Dr. Kevin Tracey, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Feinstein Institute. “Our partnership in the Long Island Bioscience Hub will help ensure that scientific breakthroughs emerging from our research enterprise progress into the commercial sector where they can ultimately impact patient care. We see the Long Island Bioscience Hub as a great opportunity to accomplish our mission.” The LIBH is connected to a network of National Institutes of Health-designated “proof of concept” centers that include the three REACH centers and three additional National Centers for Accelerated Innovation. Collectively, they are developing best practices for the commercialization of academic innovations. The Hubs & Centers also have access to resources at the federal level including the US Patent & Trademark Office, Food & Drug Administration, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide guidance at the earliest stages of technology development. The LIBH will provide funding for feasibility and proof of concept studies at the four Long Island partner institutions, and coordinate access to expertise in areas required for early stage technology development, including scientific, regulatory, business, legal, and project management. The Hub will also facilitate introductions to strategic industry partners and early stage investors.  The LIBH announced its first round of technology development awards in December 2015, committing approximately $900,000 to thirteen projects. The second round of funded projects is expected to be announced in April 2016. In addition to the Long Island Bioscience Hub’s institutional partners, support for the initiative has been provided by the Research Foundation of SUNY and Empire State Development. Total investment in the Hub over the next three years exceeds $8 million. Download a PDF of the press release here.         [post_title] => Long Island Bioscience Hub Welcomes Feinstein Institute [post_excerpt] => The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, the research arm of Northwell Health, has joined the Long Island Bioscience Hub (LIBH). The addition of the Feinstein Institute fulfills one of the Hub’s goals of coordinating comprehensive technology commercialization efforts across all four major bioscience research institutions on Long Island. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => libh-welcomes-feinstein-institute [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-05-04 18:22:47 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-05-04 18:22:47 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=2153 [menu_order] => 184 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [4] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2454 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2016-11-15 21:24:24 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-15 21:24:24 [post_content] => The i6 Challenge award sets aim on enhancing Long Island Bioscience Ecosystem The Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University has announced that is has received a three-year, $500,000 U.S. Department of Commerce i6 Challenge Investment. The award will support the Center for Biotechnology’s (CFB) efforts to bolster the regional bioscience ecosystem by supporting a formal mentorship program, as well as a critical NIH-focused SBIR/STTR training and application development program which will assist in capital formation and launching new companies. The Center for Biotechnology is among 35 organizations — including nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and entrepreneurship-focused organizations — from 19 states that will receive nearly $15 million to create and expand cluster-focused, proof-of-concept and commercialization programs, and early-stage seed capital funds through the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) program. The Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE), housed within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), leads the Regional Innovation Strategies Program to spur innovation capacity-building activities in regions across the nation. “Long Island’s innovation economy is rooted in cutting-edge basic and applied science and engineering, fostered by top-tier research institutions, a highly educated population, and a depth, breadth and scope of intellectual capital.” said Dr. Clinton T. Rubin, Director, Center for Biotechnology. Dr. Rubin continued, “This award and the initiatives it will support add to the growing, concentrated efforts the Center for Biotechnology, the Long Island Bioscience Hub and the hub’s partner institutions are making to grow the high technology innovations born in our region into fully realized ventures.” The Center for Biotechnology (CFB) at Stony Brook University is an Empire State Development Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) Center for Advanced Technology. Established in 1983, the CFB’s efforts are focused on accelerating the development of biomedical technologies in order to have a positive impact on human health and society. The CFB is also the lead administrative institution for the Long Island Bioscience Hub (LIBH) an NIH-designated Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) established with a National Institutes of Health grant in 2015. The initiatives under the i6 Challenge award will complement the efforts of the LIBH, a partnership between the Center for Biotechnology, Stony Brook University, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, to commercialize biomedical innovations emerging from the partner institutions. Download a PDF of the press release here. Related Articles: Schumer: Biz-Development Funds Big Deal For SBU - Innovate Long Island Stony Brook Biotech Center Wins $500,000 to Foster Companies - Newsday [post_title] => Center For Biotechnology Awarded $500k U.S. Department of Commerce Grant [post_excerpt] => The Center for Biotechnology has received a three-year, $500,000 U.S. Department of Commerce i6 Challenge Investment to support efforts to bolster the regional bioscience ecosystem. 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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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