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Symbiotic Health Wins Best in Show at 1st Pitch Competition

Symbiotic Health, Inc, a New York City based company and Center for Biotechnology client, was named “Best in Show” at the first of MABA’s 1st Pitch Life Science events in 2015, Symbiotic Health has developed a capsule to help kill Clostridium difficile (Cdiff) infection which causes severe, debilitating diarrhea, is the most frequent hospital-acquired infection in the US and an immediate public health threat that requires urgent and immediate action (CDC). The company’s pipeline includes a capsule microbiome therapeutic designed to cure Cdiff by restoring a community of protective bacteria.

Dr. Gerard Honig, CEO of Symbiotic Health, presented on behalf of the company. Stephen M. Goodman, Co-founder of Mid Atlantic Bio Angels and a partner at Pryor Cashman LLP in New York City, also a panelist at the event said Dr. Honig’s pitch and responses to questions demonstrated both mastery of the competitive space and a willingness to address challenges to his analysis calmly and directly. His style, as well as his substance, exemplified the maxim that it’s not just the business plan but the management that ultimately brings a company success. Read more about the company and the competition here.

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The Redesignation brings $10 million in funding to drive innovation, company formation, and economic growth.

The Center for Biotechnology (CFB) has announced its re-designated as a Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) by Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), a recognition that comes with $1 million in annual funding over the next ten years. The $10 million commitment underscores the CFB’s leadership in accelerating life science innovation, supporting early-stage technology development, and fueling economic growth through start-up formation and industry partnerships.

“The Center for Biotechnology has served as a critical bridge between academic research and commercial success,” said Dr. Clinton Rubin, Director of the Center for Biotechnology. “This re-designation ensures we can continue to expand our impact, helping innovators bring breakthrough technology to market and strengthening New York’s position as a leader in the bioscience industry.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “NYSTAR’s Centers for Advanced Technology are vital to our strategic efforts to grow New York’s economy and the state’s greater innovation ecosystem. By investing in the industries of tomorrow, New Yorkers benefit today through dynamic partnerships that help to create new jobs, generate more revenues, and encourage more companies to establish a footprint in communities all throughout the state.”

The Center for Biotechnology is located on the campus of Stony Brook University (SBU), the flagship research institution within the prestigious State University of New York (SUNY) system. Stony Brook University is recognized as a national and global leader in life sciences research, biomedical innovation, and clinical care. Situated on Long Island, New York, Stony Brook has built a formidable reputation as a hub for cutting-edge scientific discovery and translational medicine. The Center for Biotechnology builds upon these strengths by providing cutting-edge programming and competitive financial support to advance biomedical innovation and emerging company growth.

“We are excited to build upon the successful foundation of strong entrepreneurial networks, infrastructure, and programming that we have built over the last four decades” said Dr. Diane Fabel, Chief Operating Officer at the Center for Biotechnology. “The impacts we have had during our last designation period include over $1B in total economic impact with more than 1000 jobs created, and driving more than $315M in follow-on funding. We are excited to see those numbers continue to grow when we celebrate fifty years of hard work at the end of this redesignation period”.

As part of the New York State CAT program, the CFB will continue to work with emerging and established companies across the state to de-risk early-stage technologies, advance both technology and company value, foster public-private collaboration, and provide critical infrastructure for the region’s growing life science ecosystem. Additionally, the CFB team will continue its efforts to develop a life sciences workforce to support the region's bio-innovation economy with a specific emphasis on sectors deemed important to the NYS economy.

Dowload the full press release here.

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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

[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] => 2484 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2016-11-18 18:37:44 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-18 18:37:44 [post_content] => In the recent issue of Science, Dr. Clinton Rubin, Director of the Center for Biotechnology, A SUNY Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Stony Brook University gave good advice on customizing one’s faculty applications. Among Dr. Rubin’s wise words, “In formulating your application cover letter, invest the same care and rigor you would when submitting a grant proposal to a funding agency. Take the time to help the hiring committee understand why you’re applying. Why here? Why now? Why us?” Read the full article here. [post_title] => "Do Your Homework" [post_excerpt] => From Science Magazine: Job applicants need to articulate “why an investment in you will prove to be an investment for us” - Center for Biotechnology Director, SUNY Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Stony Brook University. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => do-your-homework [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-12-22 17:27:42 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-12-22 17:27:42 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=2484 [menu_order] => 160 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2275 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2016-06-22 14:40:28 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-06-22 14:40:28 [post_content] => bio2016c The Center for Biotechnology team recently ventured out to San Francisco for BIO’s annual International Convention. Through the support of Empire State Development and the Long Island Bioscience Hub, the Center for Biotechnology was able to support six Long Island emerging biotech companies to attend the meeting: Alpha-1 Biologics Corporation, Codagenix, Inc., DepYMed, Inc., iCell Gene Therapeutics, PhD Skin Care LLC and Vela Therapeutics. These companies were joined in the New York Pavilion by more than two dozen other companies and entities representing New York State. Long Island and New York City regional companies Alpha-1 Biologics, Vela Therapeutics, Intrommune Therapeutics, PainQX, Serendipity Biotech, ENB Therapeutics, and QuickSilver Biosystems all were recipients of grants from Empire State Development and NewYorkBio which also assisted their participation in the event. These companies were tapped to present in the New York Pavilion along with six other companies from upstate New York. Envisagenics, ENB Therapeutics, PainQx, QuickSilver and Abcombi BioSciences, all New York State Companies, were invited to participate in the BIO 2016 “Start-Up Stadium” which provide start-up companies with the opportunity to pitch to key members of the investment community, venture philanthropy groups, and BIO attendees. The participating investors provided live feedback and judged the sessions. In addition, six Long Island Bioscience Hub faculty members were invited to participate in the meeting for the first time. These NIH-REACH program supported faculty attended with the goal to learn more about the commercialization process, how it applies to their translational research, and to engage in the partnering process and meet with potential strategic contacts. Center staff met with over 40 strategic partners over the course of the meeting and follow up is underway. bio2016b [post_title] => BIO 2016 [post_excerpt] => The Center for Biotechnology team recently attended the BIO International Convention in San Francisco and supported the participation of emerging companies and faculty entrepreneurs in the event. 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DepYmed, a joint venture of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and New York City-based biotech Ohr Pharmaceutical led by Andreas Grill, has received $100,000 from Accelerate Long Island and the Long Island Emerging Technologies Fund. Andreas Grill has served as a BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence for the center for Biotechnology and DepYmed is developing a new drug called Trodusquemine that it hopes will one day treat HER2-positive breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease. Read more about the company and the investment from Accelerate and LIETF here.

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The Redesignation brings $10 million in funding to drive innovation, company formation, and economic growth.

The Center for Biotechnology (CFB) has announced its re-designated as a Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) by Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), a recognition that comes with $1 million in annual funding over the next ten years. The $10 million commitment underscores the CFB’s leadership in accelerating life science innovation, supporting early-stage technology development, and fueling economic growth through start-up formation and industry partnerships.

“The Center for Biotechnology has served as a critical bridge between academic research and commercial success,” said Dr. Clinton Rubin, Director of the Center for Biotechnology. “This re-designation ensures we can continue to expand our impact, helping innovators bring breakthrough technology to market and strengthening New York’s position as a leader in the bioscience industry.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “NYSTAR’s Centers for Advanced Technology are vital to our strategic efforts to grow New York’s economy and the state’s greater innovation ecosystem. By investing in the industries of tomorrow, New Yorkers benefit today through dynamic partnerships that help to create new jobs, generate more revenues, and encourage more companies to establish a footprint in communities all throughout the state.”

The Center for Biotechnology is located on the campus of Stony Brook University (SBU), the flagship research institution within the prestigious State University of New York (SUNY) system. Stony Brook University is recognized as a national and global leader in life sciences research, biomedical innovation, and clinical care. Situated on Long Island, New York, Stony Brook has built a formidable reputation as a hub for cutting-edge scientific discovery and translational medicine. The Center for Biotechnology builds upon these strengths by providing cutting-edge programming and competitive financial support to advance biomedical innovation and emerging company growth.

“We are excited to build upon the successful foundation of strong entrepreneurial networks, infrastructure, and programming that we have built over the last four decades” said Dr. Diane Fabel, Chief Operating Officer at the Center for Biotechnology. “The impacts we have had during our last designation period include over $1B in total economic impact with more than 1000 jobs created, and driving more than $315M in follow-on funding. We are excited to see those numbers continue to grow when we celebrate fifty years of hard work at the end of this redesignation period”.

As part of the New York State CAT program, the CFB will continue to work with emerging and established companies across the state to de-risk early-stage technologies, advance both technology and company value, foster public-private collaboration, and provide critical infrastructure for the region’s growing life science ecosystem. Additionally, the CFB team will continue its efforts to develop a life sciences workforce to support the region's bio-innovation economy with a specific emphasis on sectors deemed important to the NYS economy.

Dowload the full press release here.

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Center for Biotechnology Announces Redesignation as New York State Center for Advanced Technology

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Long Island to be location for Nation-Leading Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Hub: New York BioGenesis Park.

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“Do Your Homework”

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BIO 2016

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Depymed Received $100k from Accelerate Long Island & LIETF

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