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Kathera Bioscience Receives SBIR Phase I Fast Track Award To Advance Novel Drugs To Treat Life Threatening Fungal Infections

Kathera Bioscience Inc., a privately-held biotech startup was awarded a SBIR Fast Track grant with a value of up to $3,298,530 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for its dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) program. Kathera Bioscience was founded by CFB Advisor and Long Island BIoMentor Initiative Mentor Dr. Stephen Parent.

Kathera is developing novel therapeutics to treat fungal infections, a major cause of human disease with an estimated 11.5 million annual life-threatening infections globally, resulting in more than 1.5 million deaths. The award will fund selection of a lead series in the Phase 1 award and lead optimization in Phase 2. Read more about Kathera and the award here.

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                    [post_content] => 

Applications are now open for the 12th BioREACH Award Program from the Center for Biotechnology, which provides $50,000 in translational research funding for Stony Brook faculty and postdoctoral researchers to generate the evidence needed to advance promising innovations to the next stage of development.

BioREACH funds milestone-driven studies and welcomes biomedical innovations as well as platforms, tools, computational technologies, and other enabling technologies with the potential to contribute to solutions addressing unmet needs in health.

Application deadline: October 29, 2026, 5:00pm ET

For info sessions, eligibility and deadlines visit our REACH Website and FAQ.

The Center for Biotechnology (CfB) has helped advance some of Stony Brook University’s most impactful biomedical innovations, among them the yeast two-hybrid system, Xiaflex®, ReoPro®, Oracea®, and 3D virtual colonoscopy. The CfB has supported more than 475 faculty-led translational research projects and contributed to 306 license agreements generating $51 million in royalty returns to the University.

Questions? Reach out to our program contacts or sign up for office hours:

Dee Dao, PhD, Associate Director, dee.dao@stonybrook.edu
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 2–3:30 PM | Sign up Here

Zelda Mendelowitz, PhD, Venture Associate, zelda.mendelowitz@stonybrook.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 8–11 AM | Sign up Here

[post_title] => BioREACH: Translational Research Funding Opportunity [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => bioreach-translational-research-funding-opportunity [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-09-04 11:55:36 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-09-04 15:55:36 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=5065 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3404 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2020-01-02 16:35:15 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-01-02 16:35:15 [post_content] => ASPR/BARDA is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to assist in understanding the developmental landscape of next generation blood products that could be used to treat mechanical trauma and bleeding associated with acute radiation syndrome and potentially supplement the blood supply in the wake of a mass casualty event such as a nuclear or radiological scenario. BARDA intends to use responses to this RFI for planning potential future acquisitions. BARDA seeks pertinent marketplace data to strengthen BARDA’s understanding of the current and future marketplace as well as enhance its ability to obtain quality services and products economically, and to efficiently and lawfully establish potential vendor source files and listings. BARDA will not award any potential contracts under this notice. This is strictly for market research. Link to the RFI: https://bit.ly/2LSjOEc . [post_title] => BARDA RFI: Next Generation Blood Products [post_excerpt] => ASPR/BARDA is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to assist in understanding the developmental landscape of next generation blood products. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => barda-rfi-next-generation-blood-products [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2020-01-31 20:01:41 [post_modified_gmt] => 2020-01-31 20:01:41 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3404 [menu_order] => 81 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4272 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2023-08-28 13:39:39 [post_date_gmt] => 2023-08-28 17:39:39 [post_content] =>

The Long Island BioMentor Initiative (LIBMI), created and managed by the Center for Biotechnology, is excited to welcome two new mentors, Dr. Annie Rohan, PhD, RN, FAANP, FAAN and Mike Horan, MBA.

Dr. Annie Rohan is currently Dean of the Henry P. Becton School Nursing and Allied Health at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Dr. Rohan is a dual-certified Nurse Practitioner whose academic achievements rest on the foundation of a 25-year clinical career caring for critically and chronically ill infants and children, and highest-risk families. To support diversification of the healthcare workforce, she has procured over $10-million in federal funding to support the education of underrepresented and disadvantaged students into the allied health and nursing professions. Dr. Rohan is currently Associate Editor for MCN: The American Journal of Maternal-Child Nursing, and has been honored with Fellowship in both the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) and American Academy of Nursing (FAAN).

Mike Horan, MBA is a Product Development, Engineering, and Operations Executive. He is an accomplished engineering and technology business leader with over 30 years of experience in product development. At Zebra Technologies, he currently serves as the Sr. Director of Global Quality overseeing quality for their product and solutions portfolio, supply chain and QMS. Mike has experience in Strategic & Portfolio Planning, Engineering Leadership, Program Management, Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Operations —all in a global environment. He is a highly motivational leader with experience in building high-performing teams.

The LIBM brings highly qualified volunteer mentors together with motivated, early-stage bioentrepreneurs to provide actionable guidance and support as they advance their business strategy. The initiative was developed in an alliance with MIT’s successful Venture Mentor Service and employs a team mentoring approach which is guided by a statement of principles to ensure confidentiality and a conflict free environment.

To learn more about the program or get involved, visit the LIBMI website or contact Ashley Abid, LIBMI Operations Manger (ashley.abid@stonybrook.edu)

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Envisagenics, an AI-enabled biotechnology firm specializing in RNA splicing therapeutics, has announced the completion of its Series B funding round. This round included investments from existing supporters Third Kind Venture Capital, Empire State Development, and Red Cell Partners, as well as new strategic investor Bristol Myers Squibb, which has been collaborating with Envisagenics on oncology research since 2022.

Read more about Envisagenics Series B award here.

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Applications are now open for the 12th BioREACH Award Program from the Center for Biotechnology, which provides $50,000 in translational research funding for Stony Brook faculty and postdoctoral researchers to generate the evidence needed to advance promising innovations to the next stage of development.

BioREACH funds milestone-driven studies and welcomes biomedical innovations as well as platforms, tools, computational technologies, and other enabling technologies with the potential to contribute to solutions addressing unmet needs in health.

Application deadline: October 29, 2026, 5:00pm ET

For info sessions, eligibility and deadlines visit our REACH Website and FAQ.

The Center for Biotechnology (CfB) has helped advance some of Stony Brook University’s most impactful biomedical innovations, among them the yeast two-hybrid system, Xiaflex®, ReoPro®, Oracea®, and 3D virtual colonoscopy. The CfB has supported more than 475 faculty-led translational research projects and contributed to 306 license agreements generating $51 million in royalty returns to the University.

Questions? Reach out to our program contacts or sign up for office hours:

Dee Dao, PhD, Associate Director, dee.dao@stonybrook.edu
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 2–3:30 PM | Sign up Here

Zelda Mendelowitz, PhD, Venture Associate, zelda.mendelowitz@stonybrook.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 8–11 AM | Sign up Here

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BioREACH: Translational Research Funding Opportunity

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CFB Client Envisagenics Secures $25 Million Series B Funding to Advance RNA Splicing Therapeutics

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