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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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                    [post_date] => 2026-09-01 14:03:32
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                    [post_content] => 

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

[post_title] => BioREACH: Translational Research Funding Opportunity [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => bioreach-translational-research-funding-opportunity [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-09-04 11:55:36 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-09-04 15:55:36 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=5065 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3083 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2018-11-16 14:26:57 [post_date_gmt] => 2018-11-16 14:26:57 [post_content] => Update courtesy of BBC Entrepreneurial Training and Consulting NIH is strongly encouraging small businesses to contact the appropriate Institute or Center early in their application planning to ensure their technology is a priority for the Institute/Center. An updated SBIR/STTR Application Guide with additional instructions for SBIR Direct Phase II application preparation and submission will be posted by November 26, 2018. The following sections of each FOA are changed: Part 2, Section I. Funding Opportunity Description The following has been added at the end of the section for each FOA: PA-18-573 The following Components will not accept an SBIR Direct-to-Phase II submission: - National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) - National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) PA-18-574 The following Components will not accept an SBIR Direct-to-Phase II submission: - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS ) - National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) - National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) - Division of Program Coordination, Planning and Strategic Initiatives, Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (All Components of CDC) - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (All Components of FDA) Part 2, Section II. Award Information for both PA-18-573 and PA-18-574. Application types now allowed are: - New (Phase I, Fast-Track) - New (Direct Phase II) - Renewal (Phase II) - Resubmission (all phases) - Phase IIB Competing Renewal (Phase IIB) - Revision The OER Glossary and the SF424 (R&R) SBIR/STTR Application Guide provide details on these application types. [post_title] => Important SBIR/STTR Information Update from NIH [post_excerpt] => An updated SBIR/STTR Application Guide with additional instructions for SBIR Direct Phase II application preparation and submission will be posted by November 26, 2018. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => important-sbirsttr-information-update-from-nih [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2018-11-16 14:26:57 [post_modified_gmt] => 2018-11-16 14:26:57 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3083 [menu_order] => 110 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3214 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2019-03-22 15:00:07 [post_date_gmt] => 2019-03-22 15:00:07 [post_content] => The Center for Biotechnology (CFB) announces a Request for Proposals under its Applied Research and Development Program (ARaD). Through this program, the CFB provides matching grants for Stony Brook University affiliated faculty and industry partners to collaborate on applied research and R&D projects. Projects will be evaluated based upon their potential to positively impact the corporate partner, the potential for economic impact in NYS, and the scientific and commercial merit of the proposal. The maximum award from the Center for Biotechnology will be $40K and will require a minimum 1:1 financial match from the corporate partner. Smaller projects are also encouraged. All awards, including the funding provided by the corporate partner, will be established on campus in the name of the faculty collaborator and will be governed by a corporate-sponsored research or testing agreement, depending upon the circumstances. Projects are expected to start on or about July 1. The application guidelines and forms can be found hereDeadline for submission is April 15, 2019, 5 pm. Please contact the team at the Center for Biotechnology with any questions (Project Questions: william.hanes@stonybrook.edu; Budget Questions: annette.depietri@stonybrook.edu) [post_title] => Funding Opportunity: Faculty/Industry Collaborations [post_excerpt] => Announcing a Request for Proposals under our Applied Research and Development Program (ARaD) which provides matching grants for Stony Brook University affiliated faculty and industry partners to collaborate on applied research and R&D projects. 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New York State is making a major investment in the future of technology with a $300 million commitment to Stony Brook University to establish a first-of-its-kind Quantum Research and Innovation Hub. Building on Stony Brook’s leadership as home to the nation’s largest quantum network, the new hub will advance research and education in quantum communication, computing, and networking—critical components for developing a faster, smarter, and more secure internet. The 150,000-square-foot facility, expected to open in 2029, will bring together a new Quantum Institute, a hybrid Quantum Data Center, and a Quantum Education Consortium to integrate research, computing, and workforce development.

This investment is part of a broader push by New York State to strengthen its position as a global leader in emerging technologies. By expanding research capacity and cultivating top talent, the hub aims to accelerate breakthroughs that address complex societal challenges while driving economic growth across the region. With strong support from state leadership and continued funding for higher education, Stony Brook is poised to become a premier global center for quantum science and technology.

Read more about the investment, it's impact and Stony Brook's role as a leader in the field on Stony Brook News here.

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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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NYS Governor Hochul Announces $300M Investment in SUNY at Stony Brook’s Quantum Research and Innovation Hub

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