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Codagenix Inks Exclusive License Agreement

Codagenix, Inc. has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Stony Brook University, through the Research Foundation for the State of New York, to commercialize a platform technology to develop a pipeline of live attenuated vaccines against viral infections in people and animals. The technology relies on software to re-design the genomes of potentially harmful viruses to make them safe and effective vaccines. The technology stems from research in the laboratory of Eckard Wimmer, PhD, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology. The lead indication for vaccine development generated is a vaccine against Seasonal Influenza slated for Phase I human clinical trials in 2017.

Dr. Wimmer, along with Steffen Mueller, PhD, Codagenix President and Chief Science Officer, and J. Robert Coleman, PhD, Codagenix Chief Operating officer, worked as colleagues for years in Dr. Wimmer’s laboratory examining and experimenting with the genes of viruses. By collaborating with Stony Brook scientists Bruce Futcher, PhD, in the Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, and Steven Skienna, PhD, in the Department of Computer Science, they discovered a way using gene manipulation and computer algorithms to “re-code” the genes of viruses. This re-coding process makes viruses extremely weak and thus ideal candidates as ultra-low dose attenuated vaccines.

The licensing agreement enables Codgenix to develop and potentially market next generation vaccines using software-based gene design and whole viral synthesis to create low-dose, attenuated virus vaccines. The company expects to use this design to first test its vaccine against influenza; however, there are plans for human testing of their Zika and other vaccine candidates. Codagenix is also in partnership with a large agricultural company to make vaccines using the technology for companion and agricultural animals.

The technology has been shown to be effective against numerous viruses including ZIka, Dengue, and RSV all of which are in preclinical testing. The development of this pipeline of vaccines can be seen in numerous scientific papers since 2008, including a paper in Science, PNAS, National Biotechnology and most recently in 2015 in MBIo.

Read Stony Brook University’s full press release here. 

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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.

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Center for Biotechnology's Director of Operations, Diane Fabel recently penned an OpEd for the Long Island Business News: "Biotech investments, partnerships key to LI economy".

"Breakthroughs made by academic and industry scientists over the last 20 years have advanced the field of biomedicine exponentially. Immunotherapies, regenerative medicine, and pre-symptomatic diagnostics are now realities.

Long Island is facing a moment of enormous potential to advance biomedical discoveries that will improve human health and drive economic growth. Enabled by a concentration of world-class research institutions, and an emerging bioscience industry cluster, the region is at a tipping point."

Read the full article on LIBN.com

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Innovative phase-0 proof-of-concept center continues advancement of commercially promising biomedical innovations.

The Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University, on behalf of the Long Island Bioscience Hub (LIBH), announced the recipients of the fourth round of funded projects under the Hub’s technology development and commercialization initiative. Funding for five projects totaling $400,000 has been awarded to applicants from the Hub’s partner institutions. Partner institutions include Stony Brook University, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research at Northwell Health. Over the last two years, more than $2.5M has been awarded to further the development of commercially promising technologies. There are two categories of awards under the LIBH funding initiative – Feasibility and Proof-of-Concept. “Feasibility awards” are funded at up to $50,000 and designed to rapidly test the feasibility of new ideas in a “fail-fast-or-proceed” format, or to add value to existing intellectual property leading to new market applications. Proof-of-Concept awards provide up to $100,000 for targeted, milestone driven support for further development, testing, and analysis of existing intellectual property. In this cycle, two feasibility awards have been given to Stony Brook University researchers exploring technologies that include a novel anti-fungal for life threatening blood infections and a new computational method for macrocyclic drug discovery. Proof-of-Concept projects this cycle include a drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB combination therapy, a novel therapeutic for the treatment of colorectal cancer, and a next-generation medical imaging tool with applications in mammography. “While the Long Island Bioscience Hub is only two‐years in existence, it has already had major impacts including the establishment of four companies.” said Clinton T. Rubin, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor, Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Director, Center for Biotechnology. “Additionally, this round of funding further enhances the LIBH-REACH pipeline that already has resulted in eight patent applications, five options/licenses and more than forty SBIR/STTR applications related to REACH technologies and small business clients.” “I applaud the efforts of the Long Island Bioscience Hub as they continue to draw out the cutting edge biomedical innovations that exist within our research labs and their work with faculty innovators and the local bioscience community to accelerate commercial development.” said Dr. Richard Reeder, Vice President for Research at Stony Brook University. “Stony Brook University is deeply committed to the translation of basic research and the Hub’s successes demonstrate that we need to continue to foster the activities of the Hub.” The technology development awards made available by the LIBH are specifically aimed at growing a pipeline of commercially promising biomedical technologies that can be out-licensed for further development or serve as the foundation for new company formations in the region. The main goal of the LIBH is to foster the development of therapeutics, preventatives, diagnostics, devices and research tools emerging from LIBH partner institutions that address diseases within the NIH’s mission.

Funded Projects –May 2017 Awards

“A Small Molecule Drug for the Treatment of Systemic Candidiasis” Nicolas Carpino, PhD and Jarrod French, Stony Brook University – Feasibility Award

“BRIKARD, a Program for Macrocyclic Drug Discovery” Evangelos Coutsias, PhD, Stony Brook University – Feasibility Award

“Selenium multi-Well Avalanche Detectors for Medical Imaging Applications” Amirhossein Goldan, PhD, Stony Brook University – Proof of Concept Award

“Developing Novel miR-129 Mimic Based Therapeutics for Colorectal Cancer” Jingfang Ju, PhD, Stony Brook University – Proof of Concept Award

“Azasteroid for Combination anti-TB Therapy” Nicole Sampson, PhD, Stony Brook University – Proof of Concept Award

Download a PDF of the press release here. [post_title] => Long Island Bioscience Hub Announces Latest Funded Projects [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => long-island-bioscience-hub-announces-latest-funded-projects [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2017-06-05 14:55:40 [post_modified_gmt] => 2017-06-05 14:55:40 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=2708 [menu_order] => 143 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2335 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2016-07-08 19:08:43 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-07-08 19:08:43 [post_content] => September 6 is the next HHS SBIR/STTR standard deadline. Talk to an HHS SBIR/STTR program manager today for advice: http://bit.ly/SBIR_IC_Contacts The next HHS SBIR/STTR application deadline is less than two months away on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 5 pm local time. (Note – the standard deadline falls on September 5, a federal holiday, so the revised deadline is September 6). Make sure you are registered! The 5-step registration process may take 6 – 8 weeks, so it is important to start now. All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted, and the System for Awards Management (SAM) registration must be updated annually. Learn more about the five required registrations, here. Don’t be shy - speak to an HHS SBIR/STTR Program Manager! It is critical for success that applicants speak to a program manager before submitting! You should send the program manager a non-confidential abstract or executive summary of your research topic, including a description of your technology, which may include your specific aims. After you connect via email, you and the program manager may decide to set up a call to discuss your application in more detail. For questions about who to contact, please email sbir@od.nih.gov. ASSIST vs. Downloadable Forms - You may submit your application using ASSIST or the Downloadable Forms method, starting on March 5, 2016. Please select the "Apply Online Using ASSIST" button, or the "Apply Using Downloadable Forms" button within the SBIR/STTR solicitation. View the ASSIST webinar materials here. Be sure to use the Annotated SF424 SBIR/STTR Form Set in conjunction with the SF424 R&R SBIR/STTR Application Guide (FORMS-D) to guide you step-by-step through the application process. Applicants also find the Top 5 Most Common eRA Commons Errors and the SBIR Sample Application from NIAID helpful. All resources can be found on our Resources page. Remember – The standard due dates occur on September 5, January 5, and April 5. The standard due dates apply to all SBIR/STTR solicitations that follow the Standard Due Dates, including the SBIR/STTR Omnibus solicitations and the Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program solicitations. You can find all solicitations here.   [post_title] => Next HHS SBIR/STTR Application Deadline 9/6 – Get Started Today [post_excerpt] => The next HHS SBIR/STTR application deadline is less than two months away - start thinking about your application today. Registration can take weeks so start now and be sure to talk to a program manager for advice. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => next-hhs-sbirsttr-application-deadline-96-get-started-today [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-07-08 19:09:13 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-07-08 19:09:13 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=2335 [menu_order] => 172 [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.

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