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BARDA: Mask Innovation Challenge

To accelerate the development of the next generation of masks, BARDA and NIOSH have partnered to launch the Mask Innovation Challenge: Building Tomorrow’s Mask. The Mask Innovation Challenge aims to improve the comfort, utility, and protective capabilities of available community masks that are worn during day-to-day activities when physical distancing is not possible. This competition is designed to support the development of mask designs that meet predefined performance standards, while providing increased comfort and durability to the average consumer.

Can you help build a better mask – one that people are interested in wearing? You will have helped solved one of the biggest problems of the day! The mask design innovation challenge puts up a $500,000 prize purse for new mask designs that overcome the common reasons people don’t wear masks in the current pandemic. Phase 1 is design, due 5 p.m. April 21, 2021; phase 2 is testing of prototypes by NIOSH scientists and partner labs. Learn more at drive.hhs.gov/mask_challenge.html and then see Challenge.gov for the rules, criteria, timelines and how to submit.

Mask Innovation Challenge Event 4/15

Don’t miss the Mask Innovation Challenge event at the Venture Café at UCSC on Thursday, April 15, 2021: “Why we need to innovate on the non-medical grade face mask” from 3-4pm EDT. HHS’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) will discuss comfort, utility, and protective factor of current non-medical grade face masks as well as opportunities to innovate on these designs.

Event link*: https://venturecafephiladelphia.org/event/why-we-need-to-innovate-on-the-non-medical-grade-face-mask/

8this link can be used to access the event on the day of the talk, no registration required)

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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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This year’s conference will explore the theme Diverse Perspectives SEEDing Impactful Innovations, with a special emphasis on recruiting new innovators from diverse backgrounds. Learn how to apply for small business funding, discover helpful resources to navigate your journey to commercialization, and much more. You’ll also have the chance to schedule a 15-minute meeting with small business program staff and special topic experts to get your questions answered. Learn more and register! [post_title] => Free HHS Small Business Program Conference on April 26-30 [post_excerpt] => The free 2021 HHS Small Business Program Conference will be held virtually on April 26-30. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => free-hhs-small-business-program-conference-on-april-26-30 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2021-09-20 16:11:50 [post_modified_gmt] => 2021-09-20 16:11:50 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3744 [menu_order] => 50 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2436 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2016-10-24 13:50:10 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-24 13:50:10 [post_content] => The Life Sciences Summit is an early stage investor and business development conference that highlights innovation. On November 2-3, 2016, emerging biotech companies and academic innovators will convene in New York City to connect with investors and strategic partners with the goal of moving new discoveries through clinical development. The two-day program features corporate presentations by promising young companies with transformative science that targets unmet medical needs. It also features informative plenary sessions, business workshops, and therapeutic sessions. There is still time to register and participate in this innovative conference that provides attendee the opportunity to networking with potential investors and strategic partners. REGISTER TODAY!   [post_title] => Life Sciences Summit 2016: November 2-3, NYC [post_excerpt] => Don't Miss the Life Sciences Summit 2016! Organized by the Center for Biotechnology and Demy-Colton, the Summit is an early stage investor and business development conference that highlights innovation. The objective of the event is to connect emerging biotech companies and academic innovators with the capital and strategic partners they will need to move new discoveries through clinical development. 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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 [post_title] => Anton Xavier Joins CFB in Technology and Business Development Role [post_excerpt] => Former Pfizer Senior Scientist and Scout will focus on the development and implementation of technology and business development strategies. 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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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Free HHS Small Business Program Conference on April 26-30

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Life Sciences Summit 2016: November 2-3, NYC

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Anton Xavier Joins CFB in Technology and Business Development Role

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