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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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Attention Stony Brook University Faculy and Staff: Applications for the second cycle of the President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF) opened August 3, 2026. Open to all Stony Brook faculty and staff, this special initiative supports immediate-impact projects that can be launched quickly and deliver results within six to ten months.

The FIF provides awards of up to $300,000 focused on low‑investment, high‑reward initiatives that create visible, positive change. Examples of projects that would be considered include specialized equipment or technology acquisitions, pilot programs or proof‑of‑concept initiatives, targeted renovations or seed funding, among other opportunities.

All proposals must include a customized, high-level budget and be endorsed by the relevant vice president or dean with authority to implement the project. Applications for the August cycle will be available beginning August 3 with submissions due Friday, August 21 by 5 pm, ET. Please visit the Fast Impact Fund website for additional information and to submit an application.

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The Center for Biotechnology will be co hosting a series of 6- 90 minute panel discussions with industry and government partners, focused on providing guidance and insight into how innovators can take their solution from the benchtop to the Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority (BARDA).

Each event will have its own specific focus, while contributing to a sequential flow for the series. Experts with specific backgrounds will provide an overview of key resources available to innovators to help fund and advance their solution from early through late stages of development, as well as provide guidance on how to navigate the funding opportunities within BARDA and BARDA DRIVe.

Session dates: June 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 and July 1st. 12:00om - 1:#0pm EST. Learn more and register: 
https://lnkd.in/gYnTAgDh

This program is a collaborative effort between incubators and accelerators who are partnered with them through their Division of Research, Innovation & Ventures (DRIVe).

[post_title] => Bench to BARDA Start Up Series (Virtual) [post_excerpt] => A virtual series providing insight into how innovators can take their solution from the benchtop to the Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority (BARDA). [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => bench-to-barda-start-up-series-virtual [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2022-09-12 15:45:01 [post_modified_gmt] => 2022-09-12 15:45:01 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3908 [menu_order] => 24 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3000 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2018-07-02 19:03:31 [post_date_gmt] => 2018-07-02 19:03:31 [post_content] => Boris Shor, one of the Center for Biotechnology’s newest BioEntrepreneurs-in-Residence, has earned a place for his start-up, Manhattan Biosolutions, in Johnson and Johnson Innovations latest facility, JLABS @ NYC, as one of four winners of the company’s prestigious QuickFire Challenge. The winners of the QuickFire Challenge receive one year of residence in JLABS @ NYC, which provides to a bench, workstation and the global JLABS community Manhattan BioSolutions’ lead platform is based on the safe, attenuated BCG bacteria targeting mutated cancer driver genes to induce innate and adaptive cancer-specific immune responses. Manhattan BioSolutions shares JLABS 30,000-square feet located at the New York Genome Center with 25 other companies. [post_title] => CFB BioEntreprenuer-in-Residence Earns Spot in New JLABS @ NYC [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => cfb-bioentreprenuer-in-residence-earns-spot-in-new-jlabs-nyc [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2018-08-27 13:19:49 [post_modified_gmt] => 2018-08-27 13:19:49 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3000 [menu_order] => 119 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4851 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2025-04-17 11:05:08 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-04-17 15:05:08 [post_content] =>

Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that Stony Brook University will receive $5 million over the next three years from New York State to reimagine its existing Department of Technology and Society in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS).

The funds will be used to support faculty hiring, graduate and undergraduate research, internships and fellowships, new technology, and other AI-focused efforts in the establishment of a new Department of Technology, AI and Society.

The new department will be built upon and leverage the expertise of the existing Department of Technology and Society. It will facilitate interdisciplinary research and thinking across SBU’s colleges and schools, as well as the new AI Innovation Institute, to explore applications of AI to challenges like energy and the environment, medicine and human health, and technology, arts and society, organized around themes of ethics, equity and justice.

Read more about the funding and Stony Brook University’s AI Innovation Institute via Stony Brook University News: https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/governor-hochul-announces-5m-investment-in-ai-at-stony-brook

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Attention Stony Brook University Faculy and Staff: Applications for the second cycle of the President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF) opened August 3, 2026. Open to all Stony Brook faculty and staff, this special initiative supports immediate-impact projects that can be launched quickly and deliver results within six to ten months.

The FIF provides awards of up to $300,000 focused on low‑investment, high‑reward initiatives that create visible, positive change. Examples of projects that would be considered include specialized equipment or technology acquisitions, pilot programs or proof‑of‑concept initiatives, targeted renovations or seed funding, among other opportunities.

All proposals must include a customized, high-level budget and be endorsed by the relevant vice president or dean with authority to implement the project. Applications for the August cycle will be available beginning August 3 with submissions due Friday, August 21 by 5 pm, ET. Please visit the Fast Impact Fund website for additional information and to submit an application.

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