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CFB BEIR Receives $1.9M SBIR Fast-Track

Avanti Biosciences, Inc. a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company lead by Center for Biotechnology BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence Dr. Gian Luca Araldi, has announced that the National Institute of Aging (NIA) has awarded the Company an SBIR fast-track grant of up to $1,930,000 to support the company’s small molecule treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) over the next 3 years.

The award will enable the preparation and testing of Avanti’s proprietary compounds derivatized from natural catechins, which inhibit DYRK1A, an enzyme that modulates tau phosphorylation. Working with NY Institute for Basic Research and the University of California San Diego (UCSD), the company hopes to attenuate and potentially reverse pathogenesis for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

“This award marks a significant milestone for Avanti Biosciences and an important step for their research into a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease” stated Dr. Clinton Rubin, Director of the New York State Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University. “The Center for Biotechnology is thrilled to see another success for one of the emerging bioscience companies fueling our regional bioecosystem and we proudly support Dr. Araldi’s work as one of our BioEntrepreneurs-in-Residence.”

Dr. Gian Luca Araldi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Avanti, stated, “We are delighted to have been granted this funding from the NIA as it underscores the great need for innovative, effective treatments for this disease, and recognizes the potential benefits that our compounds may provide for patients with AD. The continuous support of Center for Biotechnology and the BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence program has been critical force in the development of our technology and the company as whole.”

More than five million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive, irreversible, neurodegenerative disease that destroys memory and other cognitive abilities. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and as the aging population in the country grows, the incidence rate is expected to rise dramatically.

Learn more about Avanti Biosciences: avantibiosciences.com

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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

[post_title] => Long Island to be location for Nation-Leading Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Hub: New York BioGenesis Park. [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => long-island-to-be-location-for-nation-leading-cell-and-gene-therapy-innovation-hub-new-york-biogenesis-park [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-02-26 16:35:20 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-02-26 21:35:20 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=4488 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 1011 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2014-02-21 06:05:02 [post_date_gmt] => 2014-02-21 06:05:02 [post_content] => The Center for Biotechnology is looking to recruit another BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence (BEIR). BEIRs receive a comprehensive package of incentives to build and lead new bioscience ventures in the Long Island, NY region. In addition to senior staff support to assist with commercialization strategies, BEIRs will also have access to the resources of Stony Brook University including faculty expertise, core research and engineering facilities, libraries, business incubators, the 245 acre Research Park, and a suite of end-to-end economic development programs. To learn more about the program, click here. Interested entrepreneurs should contact Diane Fabel with a statement of interest and resume, outlining how they would utilize these resources to build a successful bioscience company in the Long Island region. Inquiries will be considered through February 2014, or until appropriate candidates are identified. [post_title] => Call for Proposals: BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence [post_excerpt] => The Center for Biotechnology is looking to recruit another BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence (BEIR). BEIRs receive a comprehensive package of incentives to build and lead new bioscience ventures in the Long Island, NY region. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => call-for-proposals-bioentrepreneur-in-residence [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2014-06-16 06:29:14 [post_modified_gmt] => 2014-06-16 06:29:14 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/new/?p=1011 [menu_order] => 226 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2417 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2016-10-07 13:15:28 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-07 13:15:28 [post_content] => Vitatex, a Stony Brook-based biotechnology company located in the Long Island High Technology Incubator, has announced that it was awarded an SBIR Phase I/II Fast Track contract in September 2015 from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for its Vita-Cap™ CTC Capture and Preservation tubes. A modification to exercise the option for a two-year SBIR Phase II of the contract was executed on June 8, 2016. Vitatex Inc. provides proprietary invasive circulating tumor cell (iCTC) enrichment technology and products to develop revolutionary cancer genetic and cell tests. These "liquid biopsies" focus on next generation sequencing (NGS) detection, gene expression profiling and flow cytometry and have recently been adopted by the clinical laboratory community to characterize cancer cells and/or their RNA/DNA in blood samples non-invasively and serially, and to acquire genetic alternations and drug resistance information, which have the potential to replace tests run on surgical biopsies. Clinical metastasis of solid tumors is linked to blood-borne dissemination of viable tumor cells in the circulation and clinical instrumentation is now available to isolate, enumerate, culture, generate metastatic mouse models and perform molecular analyses on these circulating tumor cells (CTCs). However, CTCs are fragile and tend to degrade within a few days when collected in standard blood collection tubes. "The functional CTC preparation tube is designed to collect, enrich and preserve the viability/functionality of cancer cells in blood all within a closed system" said Wen-Tien Chen, PhD., Chief Scientific Officer of Vitatex. "The goal is to define conditions of Vitatex CTC preparation tubes for capturing and preserving cancer cells in the blood of patients with breast, ovarian and other types for up to 96 hours of transit." Specific terms of the contract were not disclosed. [post_title] => Vitatex Awarded NCI Contract [post_excerpt] => Stony Brook biotech company, Vitatex, has announced it was awarded an NCI Contract for Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Capture and Preservation Tubes. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => vitatex-awarded-nci-contract [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-12-06 15:12:47 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-12-06 15:12:47 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=2417 [menu_order] => 164 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [4] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 1493 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2015-04-08 19:48:55 [post_date_gmt] => 2015-04-08 19:48:55 [post_content] => Gaurav Lalwani, PhD, Biomedical Engineering department at Stony brook University and Center for Biotechnology Fundamentals Program alumnus, has Co-founded Millennial Materials and Devices, a company which was recently awarded second place in the Stony Brook Entrepreneurs Challenge 2015, with a cash reward of $10,000 and $3000 prize in 'DARE to RISK' Business Plan Competition at Farmingdale State University, Long Island Regional Affiliate of the New York State Business Plan. Millennial Materials will now be presenting at the Finals of New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC) in Albany on April 24, 2015 in the Nanotechnology/Advanced Technology category. The NYBPC is the only leading collegiate business competition that is a regionally coordinated, collaborative statewide program representing over 75 colleges and universities, which sets it apart from all other competitions in the nation. Millennial Materials and Devices is working towards the commercialization of a novel proprietary formulation and method to fabricate large-area transparent conductive films for applications ranging from the fabrication of flexible unbreakable displays to electromagnetic shielding and biomedical coatings. [post_title] => Millennial Materials and Devices Presenting at NY Business Plan Competition Finals [post_excerpt] => Millennial Materials and Devices, co-founded by BME and FOBIP Alumnus, will be presenting in the finals of New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC) after placing in the Stony Brook Entrepreneurs Challenge 2015. 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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/

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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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Call for Proposals: BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence

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Vitatex Awarded NCI Contract

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Millennial Materials and Devices Presenting at NY Business Plan Competition Finals

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