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Center for Biotechnology Continues to Expand B-EIR Program

The Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University has announced the appointment of Mohan Chellani, PhD, and Michael Bielski, MS, JD to the position of BioEntrepreneurs-In-Residence (B-EIR). Both Dr. Chellani and Mr. Bielski have extensive bioscience industry experience at the senior management level, and have successfully commercialized multiple academic innovations. Their roles as BEIRs is to identify technologies that have the potential to support company formation in the region. Each brings unique skills and perspectives to technology assessment and bioscience-startups.

Dr. Chellani has over twenty years of experience in the diagnostics industry prior to his

appointment as B-EIR, having served as VP, Scientific Affairs at Enzo Biochem, and as a

Director and Advisor to Quest Diagnostics. He has also served as founder and CEO of two startup companies, Progen Life Sciences and Discitis Diagnostics. Dr. Chellani holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UMD-New Jersey and an MBA from Fordham University.

Mr. Bielski has founded multiple technology companies, including co-founding NewLeaf Symbiotics, Inc., an agricultural biotechnology company that has raised over $25M in venture capital. He also served as the Assistant Director for Science and Technology Commercialization at the Center for Biotechnology for six years prior to pursuing his entrepreneurial ventures. Mr. Bielski holds a JD and an MS in Neuroscience from Syracuse University.

Both Dr. Chellani and Mr. Bielski will conduct due diligence to identify a technology or

technologies around which they may build a company. If successful, they will also be provided with access to a technology development budget that will help them position the technology for commercialization. B-EIRs also have access to the Center’s business and technology development support staff to help develop appropriate business strategies. Ultimately, the goal is to help the company prepare for SBIR/STTR grant opportunities, and Angel and VC investment.

Read the full press release.

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The Center for Biotechnology is pleased to announce a request for proposals for our Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) award program. Awards will be in two categories: Feasibility ($50k/12mo) and Proof of Concept ($100K/12 mo.) Details on the full funding program overview and proposal guidelines can be found here.

The development of promising innovations often stalls due to limited early-stage funding to address translational uncertainties. The Center for Biotechnology's Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) award program bridges the translation gap between biomedical discovery and their development toward commercial goals. Program funding is intended to determine feasibility, develop proof-of-concept, and ultimately lead to follow-on funding, a strategic partnership, or company formation.

The REACH program supports faculty and postdoctoral researchers in translating bio-based, bio-convergence, and bio-medical research discoveries by providing targeted funding and strategic guidance to bridge the translation gap between discovery and development for commercialization.

Learn more about the program, get information session details and access the full request for proposals here: https://centerforbiotechnology.org/what-we-do/technology-development/reach/

[post_title] => Funding Opportunity: Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH)Awards [post_excerpt] => The Center for Biotechnology is pleased to announce a request for proposals for our REACH award program. Awards will be in two categories: Feasibility ($50k/12mo) and Proof of Concept ($100K/12 mo.) [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => news-reach25 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-03-24 12:11:36 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-24 16:11:36 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=4804 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4488 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2024-10-24 10:45:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2024-10-24 14:45:00 [post_content] =>

Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled plans for New York BioGenesis Park, a groundbreaking $430 million Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Innovation Hub in Nassau County, Long Island. To be developed by The Albanese Organization, Inc., this state-of-the-art facility would catalyze CGT research, development, clinical manufacturing, and commercialization across New York State. With a historic $150 million state investment—the largest nationwide for a cell and gene therapy hub—NYBGP would accelerate the delivery of new therapies from lab to patient in New York's diverse communities. This transformative hub aims to establish New York as the leading global destination for CGT innovation, driving economic growth, attracting top talent, and revolutionizing patient care statewide and beyond.

The Center for Biotechnology is thrilled to be counted as a partner in this effort, and is looking forward to working with our colleagues in the initiative to help catalyze and accelerate life-changing therapies.

New York BioGenesis Park is envisioned as a cutting-edge, full-service campus dedicated to advancing cell and gene therapies and accelerating their commercialization. At full build-out, the 700,000-square-foot park would create an end-to-end Cell and Gene Therapy innovation and supply center, featuring interconnected areas for public engagement, research, manufacturing, and collaboration.

A cornerstone of New York BioGenesis Park is its incubator, supported by a $50 million investment from ESD's Long Island Investment Fund. This facility will empower early-stage therapeutic developers by offering state-of-the-art wet lab space, shared equipment, office space, and other essential resources. This nurturing environment will provide Cell and Gene Therapy companies with access to specialized equipment, mentoring, and stage-appropriate financial guidance. As a critical component of New York BioGenesis Park, the incubator is poised to catalyze the growth of promising Cell and Gene Therapy companies by providing them with resources and support, unlocking their potential for innovation and success.

New York BioGenesis Park would foster strong ties with academic and medical institutions throughout New York, creating a robust ecosystem for Cell and Gene Therapy innovation. Collaborating with the Empire State Cellular Therapy Consortium and world-class institutions like Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the Feinstein Institutes, Northwell Health, Roswell Park, Stony Brook University, Weill Cornell, Columbia University and others around the state, New York BioGenesis Park would enhance research synergies and accelerate medical breakthroughs. This ecosystem would bring together experts in advanced Cell and Gene Therapy therapies, offering specialized facilities, services, and resources to both tenants and collaborating institutions. By facilitating cutting-edge science, innovative technology development and novel approaches to clinical trials, New York BioGenesis Park would ensure New York's institutions remain globally competitive in groundbreaking Cell and Gene Therapy research and commercialization.

Read the press release of Governor Hochul's announcement here:
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-launches-next-phase-long-islands-nation-leading-cell-and-gene-therapy

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Wednesday, May 26, 2021 | 2:00 PM-4:00 PM

BARDA DRIVe has launched a Mask Innovation Challenge to support the development of innovative solutions that can protect Americans from respiratory pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2.

The Center for Biotechnology, a BARDA DRIVe Accelerator Network site, is hosting this Mask Challenge event in partnership with the The Science Center, during which applicants who have made it past the first round will be pitching their mask design and plan for commercialization.

Register Here: https://venturecafeglobal-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIvcOCvrzMiEtPblEbmB3cwezwMIleFe3xr

[post_title] => BARDA Mask Challenge Innovate Challenge Pitch Event 5/26 [post_excerpt] => This Mask Challenge event will showcase which applicants who have made it past the first round and will be pitching their mask design and plan for commercialization. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => barda-mask-challenge-innovate-challenge-pitch-event-5-26 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2021-09-20 16:10:05 [post_modified_gmt] => 2021-09-20 16:10:05 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3778 [menu_order] => 46 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [4] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3600 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2020-08-07 11:09:52 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-08-07 11:09:52 [post_content] => Seven companies were chosen by the NIH to receive funding for new technologies to boost their testing capacities and help them ramp up production of millions of coronavirus rapid tests to be made available by September 2020. A total of $248.7 million will be invested and shared by Mesa Biotech, Quidel, Talis Biomedical, Fluidigm, Ginkgo Bioworks, Helix OpCo and Mammoth Biosciences. Read more. (Via BIO Smart Brief/Reuters) [post_title] => 7 Dx firms to share $249M from NIH for COVID-19 testing [post_excerpt] => Seven companies were chosen by the NIH to receive funding for new technologies to boost their testing capacities. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => 7-dx-firms-to-share-249m-from-nih-for-covid-19-testing [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-12-03 14:59:36 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-12-03 19:59:36 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3600 [menu_order] => 57 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 5 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => 1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4804 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2025-03-20 12:10:54 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-03-20 16:10:54 [post_content] =>

The Center for Biotechnology is pleased to announce a request for proposals for our Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) award program. Awards will be in two categories: Feasibility ($50k/12mo) and Proof of Concept ($100K/12 mo.) Details on the full funding program overview and proposal guidelines can be found here.

The development of promising innovations often stalls due to limited early-stage funding to address translational uncertainties. The Center for Biotechnology's Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) award program bridges the translation gap between biomedical discovery and their development toward commercial goals. Program funding is intended to determine feasibility, develop proof-of-concept, and ultimately lead to follow-on funding, a strategic partnership, or company formation.

The REACH program supports faculty and postdoctoral researchers in translating bio-based, bio-convergence, and bio-medical research discoveries by providing targeted funding and strategic guidance to bridge the translation gap between discovery and development for commercialization.

Learn more about the program, get information session details and access the full request for proposals here: https://centerforbiotechnology.org/what-we-do/technology-development/reach/

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Funding Opportunity: Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH)Awards

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Long Island to be location for Nation-Leading Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Hub: New York BioGenesis Park.

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CFB Selects Third BioEntrepreneur-In-Residence

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BARDA Mask Challenge Innovate Challenge Pitch Event 5/26

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