BARDA: TICO Deep Dive 2 Announcement

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is leading an interagency group to develop a wearable device to detect, and possibly treat, an opioid overdose. This group, Technology Innovation to Combat Opioids (TICO) is holding a Deep Dive on Feb 12-13, 2019 to review possible technologies being developed in this area. Specifically, they are looking for wearables or software as a medical device that are no larger than the palm of your hand and measure a physiological response indicative of an opioid overdose. Examples of possible markers that could be incorporated into the device include, but are not limited to, respiratory rate, blood carbon dioxide or oxygen content, brain activity and opioid levels. The device should have the ability to alert potential caretakers nearby that the wearer is in distress and, potentially, have the capability to dispense a treatment for the overdose event. The technologies should be at a maturity level capable of undergoing pivotal clinical trials in 2020.

TICO invites anyone with an innovative idea in this space to submit a 1-2 page summary of their device that addresses the following items:

  1. Provide a high-level device description including how the device detects possible opioid overdose.
  2. How does the device notify potential caretakers? Does it notify people nearby? If so, how?
  3. Description of the user population and use environment?
  4. What are the performance limitations for the device?
  5. How does the device treat an opioid overdose if that is a feature?
  6. Do you own the intellectual property for this technology?

TICO will review each submission and invite selected participants to present their technology at the Deep Dive on Feb 12-13, 2019. Travel funding is not available, however, this meeting will serve as market research for the solicitation that will be issued by BARDA to fund the clinical study.

Accommodations can also be made for a virtual presentation. Submissions and questions can be sent to Kristen Herring Kristen.herring@hhs.gov and should be received no later than Jan. 22nd.

Anton Xavier Joins CFB in Technology and Business Development Role

Former Pfizer Senior Scientist and Scout Anton Xavier has joined the Center for Biotechnology in the role of Assistant Director of Technology and Business Development. Within this role at the Center, Anton will focus on the development and implementation of technology and business development strategies that will increase sponsored research, company formation, strategic alliances, and investment with external partners. Anton will also provide oversight to the Center’s Commercialization Associates offering technology / business development services and education to entrepreneurial faculty and emerging companies.

During his tenure at Pfizer, Anton had duties within the External Science and Innovation group (ES&I) focusing on sourcing, screening, and evaluating early through to late stage (inter)national biopharma ventures, entrepreneurial academic PI technology, private/public/local government funded life science initiatives, and funding vehicles which aligned with Pfizer’s R&D interest for investment and strategic partnerships. Additionally, Anton led efforts within Pfizer R&D from discovery through to late stage development of targeted therapeutics for oncology indications.

Prior to Pfizer, Anton’s experience was within a wider field of bioscience, including regenerative medicine, infectious disease, and cardiovascular biology where he developed multiple therapeutic, platform, and diagnostic innovations for military and industrial needs.

Anton is currently a mentor and adjunct faculty member for early stage life science ventures with E-Lab NYC, ABCT (Accelerator for Biosciences in Connecticut), NSF’s I-Corps program, the British Consulate NYC, Business France, and Cornell / Columbia University, where he provides critical industry based science, strategy, and business development input for bio-venture development.

Anton earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, a Master of Science (MSc) in Toxicology from Imperial College London and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with Microbiology from Queen Mary University of London.

Anton can be reached at the Center for Biotechnology by emailing anton.xavier@stonybrook.edu

CFB Selected as DRIVe Accelerator

The Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University has been selected as one of eight accelerators in the nation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to drive innovation in lifesaving medical technologies that solve challenging problems spanning modern health security threats and daily medical care.

Accelerators will scout out innovative technologies and products that can be developed to solve healthcare challenges that extend beyond traditional vaccine and drug development. To assist startups and other businesses in developing their technologies and products, accelerators will connect them with essential product development and business support services. This support could position innovative technologies and products for follow-on investment from the public or private sectors.

A new HHS unit called DRIVe – part of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) at the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response – will oversee the accelerator network and is recruiting a nonprofit partner that can work with private investors to fund innovative technologies and products to solve these and other systemic health security challenges. DRIVe also can invest in the projects using quick, streamlined funding methods. Read the full HHS press release here. 

DRIVe Announcement at 2018 BIO International Convention. L to R, Rick Bright, Director, BARDA, Diane Fabel, Director Operations, Stony Brook Center for Biotechnology, Patricia Beckmann, President and Executive Director and Jessica Roberto, Associate Director, Life Science Washington Institute, and Robert Kadleck, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness & Response, HHS.

Additional Media Coverage:

Forbes – June 8, 2018 “An Unlikely Biotech Investor: The Government”

Newsday – June 5, 2018 “Stony Brook center tapped for federal anti-infection program”

Innovate Long Island – June 5, 2018 “SBU Joins Elite HHS Business-Development Task Force”

“Heavy-Hitting LI BioMentor Initiative Makes It Official”

The Long Island BioMentor Initiative (LIBMI) officially accepted its first program applications in a “launch event” at the de Seversky Mansion on Thursday May 10, 2018. Already a year into a “pilot phase,” the LIBMI was developed in league with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Venture Mentoring Service which employs an “objective team-mentoring model” for early-stage businesses that champions one strict rule above all others: The uber-qualified mentors are prohibited from investing in, pitching business to or otherwise profiting from their mentees.

Read the full article from Innovate Long Island.

Sustained Nano Systems Reports Positive In-Vitro Results Glaucoma Treatment

SUSTAINED NANO SYSTEMS ACHIEVES POSITIVE IN-VITRO RESULTS ON LONG TERM SUSTAINED DELIVERY OF LATANAPROST FOR GLAUCOMA TREATMENT.

New York, NY – March 6, 2018 (NEWSFRONT MEDIA). Sustained Nano Systems, LLC (“SNS”), a biopharmaceutical company utilizing its platform technology of bio-resorbable nano and microparticles for long term drug delivery, is pleased to announce positive results for the in-vitro presence of Latanaprost for the treatment of glaucoma over a duration of 159 days.

Latanaprost, a prostaglandin analogue, is the #1 glaucoma drug in the world, with dosing of up to four eye drops every day for the remainder of a patient’s life. Latanaprost reduces elevated intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. At the present time, there is no long-acting formulation for glaucoma, only multiple daily eyedrops. SNS LAT-LA (Latanaprost Long Acting) is designed to be administered by a single periocular injection with a duration of six months. “The potential for SNS LAT-LA to sustain deliver for six months, would fulfill an important unmet need in replacing the more burdensome and potentially less compliant regimen of daily eye drops,” said Dr. Barry Libin, CEO of SNS. LAT-LA will now undergo further studies to indicate its efficacy in the long term reduction of intra-ocular pressure.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, in which abnormally high intraocular pressure may cause damage to the optic nerve, resulting in irreversible vision loss. In the U.S. alone, 2.7 million people suffer from glaucoma. According to IMS Health data, there were 34 million prescriptions and sales of over $2.7 billion of drugs administered by eye drops for the treatment of glaucoma in the U.S. in 2017, and global spending was over $6 billion. Compliance is the biggest problem with existing therapies for glaucoma, with more than 50% of patients on topical prostaglandin analogs not compliant within the first six months of treatment

ABOUT SUSTAINED NANO SYSTEMS (SNS)

SNS is a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions in ophthalmology, oncology and other areas. The Company’s research facility is located on the campus of Stony Brook University as part of the Long Island High Technology Incubator. The SNS platform is the result of a comprehensive research effort that allows for long term micro-dosing for the continuous release of drugs to targeted tissues as prescribed. The basis of the SNS pipeline is its patented technology that incorporates bio-resorbable nano and micro carriers to deliver sustained delivery of important therapeutics, including anti-inflammatories and monoclonal antibodies for immunotherapies in cancer, retinal disease, and other disease states.

For further information, visit: www.sustainednanosystems.net

Forward-Looking Statements
SNS Disclosure Notice: This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For this purpose, any statements contained herein or which are otherwise made by or on behalf of the Company that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed forward looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “to,” “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “estimate,” or “continue,” or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward looking statements. Investors are cautioned that all forward looking statements involve risk and uncertainties which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: the success of research and development activities and the speed with which regulatory authorizations and product launches may be achieved; government regulation generally; competitive developments; the ability to successfully market products domestically and internationally; difficulties or delays in manufacturing or issues relating to manufacturing capacity; commercial obstacles to the successful introduction of brand products generally; legal defense costs, insurance expenses, settlement costs, and the risk of an adverse decision or settlement relating to product liability, patent protection, governmental investigations, and other legal proceedings; the Company’s ability to acquire and protect patents and other intellectual property both domestically and internationally; the absence of certainty regarding the receipt of required regulatory approval or the timing or terms of such approvals; any changes in business, political and economic conditions; business interruption due to hurricanes or other events outside of the Company’s control.

Investors are cautioned not to place reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are valid only as of the date they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law.

Contact:

Dr. Barry Libin  (516) 353‐7983, barlibin@gmail.com
Media Relations: info@newsfrontmedia.com