Author Archives: Center for Biotechnology

BARDA Mask Innovation Challenge Awards Ceremony

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June 24, 2021 – 12:30-1:30 ET
Online

The Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority’s Division of Research, Innovation, & Ventures (BARDA DRIVe), in partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), is proud to present the Awards Ceremony for the “Mask Innovation Challenge: Building Tomorrow’s Mask.”

This event will celebrate the 10 Phase 1 finalist teams. They’ve all been working tirelessly to answer the PPE challenge of the pandemic era: Re-imagining and creating the mask of the future.

Learn more and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/barda-mask-innovation-challenge-awards-ceremony-tickets-157715949651

Request for Information: BARDA DRIVe Ventures

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BARDA’s DRIVe is pleased to announce the expansion of its market research effort to identify potential partners and capture feedback to support its newest novel public-private partnership, DRIVe Ventures. DRIVe Ventures will work with corporate venture capital partners to invest in promising products, driving them to the marketplace to transform and enhance national health security.

BARDA DRIVe seeks feedback on a potential new novel public-private partnership that leverages venture capital practices and methods to disrupt the way BARDA invests in health security innovation. Learn more.

 

BARDA: TICO Deep Dive 2 Announcement

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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

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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

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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”