Author Archives: Center for Biotechnology

Dr. Dee Dao Appointed Associate Director for Business Development

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The Center for Biotechnology has announced the appointment of Dr. Dee Dao as Associate Director for Business Development and Investment. In her new role, Dr. Dao will serve as the primary contact on issues related to research, technology development and commercialization for the Center for Biotechnology. Additionally, Dr. Dao will foster new collaborative relationships in order to bolster sponsored research agreements and strategic alliances.

Prior to joining the CFB, Dr. Dao served as a Venture Associate for the NYU Innovation Venture Fund, where she focused on investment opportunities in life science and healthcare. Prior to NYU, Dr. Dao was at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research where she contributed to early oncology therapeutic development planning and oversaw intellectual property (IP) strategy to support the clinical development of the Institute’s therapeutics. Before that, Dr. Dao investigated bacterial virulence and immunity to identify new vaccines against Tuberculosis as a postdoctoral fellow in an HHMI laboratory at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Currently, Dr. Dao also serves as a mentor for entrepreneurs participating in the Entrepreneurship Lab, a NYCEDC initiative. Dr. Dao received a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics/Developmental Biology at Columbia University and a B.S. in Chemistry from University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Dao is also an alumnus of the Center for Biotechnology’s Fundamentals of the Bioscience Program in 2010.

“We are thrilled to have Dee join the Center for Biotechnology to lead our technology and business development efforts on behalf of innovators and emerging companies in New York” Diane Fabel, Director of Operations at the Center for Biotechnology said. She continued “Dee brings deep experience working with and funding innovation to her role at the Center which our clients and community will greatly benefit from.”

“I am very happy to join the team at the Center for Biotechnology. I’ve admired the work the Center for Biotechnology has done when it comes to supporting and accelerating the development of biomedical technology in New York State” Dr. Dao said. “I’m looking forward to helping lead the technology and business development efforts of the Center and increase the impact the organization can have on the wealth of innovations in the region”.

Download a PDF of the announcement here.

Call for Proposals: Applied Research and Development Program 2024

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The Center for Biotechnology has announced a Call for Proposals for our 2024 Applied Research and Development (ARAD) Program. The ARAD program provides matching funds on a competitive basis to support collaborations between Stony Brook University faculty and NY State corporate partners in all areas of medical biotechnology.

These areas include research technologies, diagnostics, therapeutics and medical devices. The primary interest is in supporting development of technologies that will help companies hit commercially relevant milestones, and that have the potential to positively impact the New York State economy.

2024 Proposal Submission:
The deadline for receipt of applications is May 15, 2024, 5pm. No exceptions will be made. Applications are accepted and considered on a competitive basis and are subject to the availability of funds. Approval from the Research Foundation Sponsored Programs is not required prior to submission, but will be required if the project is selected for funding. All applications require a letter-of-support from a senior executive of the company confirming their corporate residency in New York State and financial commitment to match-fund the project. Further details are found within the forms pages. A single PDF version of the proposal and letter of support should be submitted to the Center for Biotechnology at center_for_biotechnology@stonybrook.edu.

ARAD Program Forms:

Call for Applications & Guidelines

Application Form

Budget Forms

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

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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.

Funding Opportunity for SBU Researchers: Development and Commercialization of Bio-Based Technologies for Human Health 

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The Center for Biotechnology on behalf of the Long Island Bioscience Hub is pleased to announce a request for proposals for our two-tiered technology development & commercialization program. Awards will be in two categories: Feasibility ($50k/12mo) and Proof of Concept ($100K/12 mo).  More information can be found thru this link (or view on CfB web-page)… 

Review the full funding program overview and proposal guidelines. 

Stony Brook University faculty and postdoctoral associates, alone or in partnership with companies or CFB-appointed BioEntrepreneurs-in-Residence (BEIRs), are eligible to apply. In all instances, the faculty member or post-doctoral associate must serve as the principal investigator, and the project must be executed on the academic campus at Stony Brook University.

Application Deadline: March 7, 2024 no later than 5pm.

Interested applicants are strongly recommended to connect with the Center for Biotechnology team before writing a full proposal and submission.  
Please contact Phuong Nguyen, PhD, at the Center for Biotechnology: phuong.t.nguyen@stonybrook.edu.