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Codagenix Inks Exclusive License Agreement

Codagenix, Inc. has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Stony Brook University, through the Research Foundation for the State of New York, to commercialize a platform technology to develop a pipeline of live attenuated vaccines against viral infections in people and animals. The technology relies on software to re-design the genomes of potentially harmful viruses to make them safe and effective vaccines. The technology stems from research in the laboratory of Eckard Wimmer, PhD, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology. The lead indication for vaccine development generated is a vaccine against Seasonal Influenza slated for Phase I human clinical trials in 2017.

Dr. Wimmer, along with Steffen Mueller, PhD, Codagenix President and Chief Science Officer, and J. Robert Coleman, PhD, Codagenix Chief Operating officer, worked as colleagues for years in Dr. Wimmer’s laboratory examining and experimenting with the genes of viruses. By collaborating with Stony Brook scientists Bruce Futcher, PhD, in the Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, and Steven Skienna, PhD, in the Department of Computer Science, they discovered a way using gene manipulation and computer algorithms to “re-code” the genes of viruses. This re-coding process makes viruses extremely weak and thus ideal candidates as ultra-low dose attenuated vaccines.

The licensing agreement enables Codgenix to develop and potentially market next generation vaccines using software-based gene design and whole viral synthesis to create low-dose, attenuated virus vaccines. The company expects to use this design to first test its vaccine against influenza; however, there are plans for human testing of their Zika and other vaccine candidates. Codagenix is also in partnership with a large agricultural company to make vaccines using the technology for companion and agricultural animals.

The technology has been shown to be effective against numerous viruses including ZIka, Dengue, and RSV all of which are in preclinical testing. The development of this pipeline of vaccines can be seen in numerous scientific papers since 2008, including a paper in Science, PNAS, National Biotechnology and most recently in 2015 in MBIo.

Read Stony Brook University’s full press release here. 

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CFB Client, IAMBIC has been awarded approximately $1M in grant funding from the National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research program. IAMBIC is an innovative shoe company disrupting the centuries-old footwear industry with their sizeless, precision-fit footwear driven by proprietary AI algorithms. This substantial funding from NSF enables IAMBIC to scale its cutting-edge precision-fit shoe design and manufacturing.

The Center for Biotechnology and its accelerator programs have been instrumental in assisting IAMBIC with their SBIR pursuits and commercialization development.

Read more about IAMBIC and their recent funding here.

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The Center for Biotechnology has announced the appointment of Dr. Louis A. Peña as Director of the new Program in Life Sciences Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Additionally, Dr. Peña has been appointed as Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the College of Business at Stony Brook University.

The Professor of Practice will steward the University’s Advanced Graduate Certificate in Life Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which was established under Empire State Development’s Life Science Entrepreneur Development award, and further develop educational and experiential learning initiatives. The Director of the Program in Life Sciences Innovation and Entrepreneurship will build upon the Center’s efforts to synergize technology and business accelerator activities with opportunities for students to gain real-world technology commercialization experience.

Prior to joining the Center for Biotechnology and Stony Brook University, Dr. Peña held leadership positions in both industry and academia. He is experienced with startup and early stage companies. Commercializing scientific discoveries he made at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Dr. Peña co-developed a biotech startup that took a biomaterial from idea to clinical trials and acquisition. He later served as Chief Scientific Officer of a biopharma Contract Research Organization. Dr. Peña has also consulted for technology startups in bioagriculture, medical devices, medical imaging, and energy, supporting technology assessment, market assessment, and business strategy.

“We are excited to have Louis join the Center for Biotechnology and Stony Brook University to further our efforts of expanding entrepreneurial education in the life sciences” Diane Fabel, Director of Operations at the Center for Biotechnology said. She continued “His industry involvement, coupled with his academic experiences allow him to bring a unique perspective to the role and for students in our programs to benefit from his real-world experience.”

“I am very happy to join the team at the Center for Biotechnology and my colleagues at Stony Brook University. The Center has a great, established foundation of commercialization and education in this sector and I’m eager to further develop these unique and critical programs” Dr. Peña said. “Our goal is to bolster the life science commercialization knowledge of students graduating from New York universities. At one level, this will help entrepreneurs gain the mix of skills and expertise needed to successfully guide innovative life science startups along the path to commercial viability. At a broader level, this will help with the biotech workforce development of our region and state for those who may not want to start companies but want to understand the sector in great depth so they can secure well-paying and/or leadership positions in this sector.”

Download a PDF of the announcement here.

[post_title] => Dr. Louis A. Peña appointed Director, Program in Life Sciences Innovation and Entrepreneurship & Associate Professor of Practice [post_excerpt] => Dr. Peña will steward the University’s Advanced Graduate Certificate in Life Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and build upon the Center’s efforts to synergize technology and business accelerator activities with opportunities for students. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => dr-louis-a-pena-appointed-director-program-in-life-sciences-innovation-and-entrepreneurship-associate-professor-of-practice [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2023-07-10 12:38:52 [post_modified_gmt] => 2023-07-10 16:38:52 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=4074 [menu_order] => 3 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2689 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2017-05-08 17:15:49 [post_date_gmt] => 2017-05-08 17:15:49 [post_content] => The Center for Biotechnology (CFB) at Stony Brook University is a New York State Center for Advanced Technology and the lead institution of the Long Island Bioscience Hub. The CFB provides the cross-institutional infrastructure for technology development, technology transfer, strategic industry partnerships, new company formation, attraction of investment capital, and other commercialization activities. The CFB seeks ongoing technology and business development consulting services for its faculty and small business clients. The CFB works primarily with faculty and emerging small businesses to help them develop their technology and business strategy to prepare them for strategic partnerships and/or investment. Consulting services anticipated, but not limited to:
  • Conduct thorough due diligence on select technologies under consideration for investment by the CFB. Develop written assessments.
  • Participate in in-person meetings on a weekly basis with faculty innovators and emerging companies to provide strategic guidance in intellectual property, competitive analysis, regulatory strategy, manufacturing, company formation and other issues related to commercialization strategies.
  • Actively manage a project portfolio of funded technologies ensuring milestones are met and will add commercial value.
  • Assist faculty in the development of applications for funding.
  • Assist clients to develop effective fundraising strategies and materials.
  • Participate in CFB technology and business development initiatives including the Boot Camp, Strategy Sessions, Long Island BioMentor Service and Life Sciences Summit.
  • Help source and conduct due diligence on emerging company candidates for the Life Sciences Summit.
  • Consult with CFB on specific technologies regarding commercialization and viability for moving forward.
  • Consult with CFB clients on milestones required for licensing, strategic partnerships, investment, and/or manufacturing.
  • Consult with CFB staff on client work, intellectual property, as well as patent, regulatory, commercialization strategies as needed.
  • Consult on course content for CFB programs such as the Innovation Boot Camp and Fundamentals course. Serve as instructor or guest lecturer as needed.
  • Review, interpretation, and advice of patents, websites, articles related to specific technology. Required Qualifications:
  • Direct experience in the management of business and technical issues associated with advanced bio-based technology commercialization, including:
    •  Due Diligence
    •  IP Strategy
    •  Fundraising
    • Product development
    •  Regulatory
    • Manufacturing (preferred)
    • Sales and Marketing (preferred)
    •  Licensing
  • Technology development experience in working with faculty-members and entrepreneurs seeking to commercialize early-stage technologies.
  • Experience in technology development and initial IP landscape review and strategy development.
  • Experience in the grant application review and the management of approved grants, including the identification and achievement of milestones that have material commercial value.
Progress Reports Progress reports detailing meetings held/attended, project development issues, priorities, and other issues of importance are required on a monthly basis. Time Commitment
  • No less than one full day per week.
  • Must be available to meet onsite and in-person with CFB staff and clients as needed and required by the CFB.
  • Ability to respond to urgent requests and to fill in as needed is desirable.
Proposal Deadline The CFB seeks proposals from qualified providers who have the expertise and desire to support the technology and business development objectives of the CFB. Interested parties should submit a proposal of no more than one page to Kristina Duryea at Kristina.Duryea@stonybrook.edu by 5p, May 26, 2017. [post_title] => Request for Proposals: Technology & Business Development Services [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => request-for-proposals-technology-business-development-services [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2017-05-08 17:15:49 [post_modified_gmt] => 2017-05-08 17:15:49 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=2689 [menu_order] => 147 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3507 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2020-04-15 11:13:50 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-04-15 11:13:50 [post_content] => In early April, CFB Intern and Stony Brook University Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Peter Saenz was awarded second place and a price of $10,000 in the Stony Brook Entrepreneurs Challenge. The prize money will be used to advance the prototype of his “Ripple Band”, a wearable device to prevent viral transmission. He will be competing in the region finals on April 16 with the hopes of advancing to the statewide competition on April 24th. Congratulations and best of luck Peter! [post_title] => CFB Intern Places in Entrepreneurs Challenge [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => cfb-intern-places-in-entrepreneurs-challenge [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2020-04-15 11:13:50 [post_modified_gmt] => 2020-04-15 11:13:50 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3507 [menu_order] => 70 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 4 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => 1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4439 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2024-07-30 15:29:07 [post_date_gmt] => 2024-07-30 19:29:07 [post_content] =>

CFB Client, IAMBIC has been awarded approximately $1M in grant funding from the National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research program. IAMBIC is an innovative shoe company disrupting the centuries-old footwear industry with their sizeless, precision-fit footwear driven by proprietary AI algorithms. This substantial funding from NSF enables IAMBIC to scale its cutting-edge precision-fit shoe design and manufacturing.

The Center for Biotechnology and its accelerator programs have been instrumental in assisting IAMBIC with their SBIR pursuits and commercialization development.

Read more about IAMBIC and their recent funding here.

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CFB Client IAMBIC Receives $1 Million NSF SBIR Phase II Grant

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Dr. Louis A. Peña appointed Director, Program in Life Sciences Innovation and Entrepreneurship & Associate Professor of Practice

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Request for Proposals: Technology & Business Development Services

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CFB Intern Places in Entrepreneurs Challenge

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