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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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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] => 3415 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2020-01-13 14:10:26 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-01-13 14:10:26 [post_content] => MicroRid Technologies Inc. has received a five year, $4 million, Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) Technology/Therapeutic Development Award, which is administered by the Department of Defense office of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). The company, founded by Center for Biotechnology BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence Dr. Brian McCarthy and Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine Professor Maurizio Del Poeta, is researching the development of small-molecule anti-fungal drugs.The Center for Biotechnology is also supporting company technology development efforts via our REACH program. The company will work with Stony Brook University on aspects of the project, engaging with Dr. Del Poeta as well as Dr. Iwo Ojim from the department of Chemisty. The goal of the project, titled “The Research and Development of New Antifungals” is to develop / optimize compounds that inhibit fungal specific targets and perform preclinical development that will help prepare the company for their Investigational New Drug filing with the FDA. [post_title] => MicroRid Technologies Receives $4M Award [post_excerpt] => MicroRid Technologies Inc. has received a five year, $4 million, PRMRP award. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => microrid-4m-award-2020 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2020-01-13 14:10:26 [post_modified_gmt] => 2020-01-13 14:10:26 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3415 [menu_order] => 80 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3131 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2019-01-24 15:24:44 [post_date_gmt] => 2019-01-24 15:24:44 [post_content] => BARDA’s DRIVe is pleased to announce the expansion of its market research effort to identify potential partners and capture feedback to support its newest novel public-private partnership, DRIVe Ventures. DRIVe Ventures will work with corporate venture capital partners to invest in promising products, driving them to the marketplace to transform and enhance national health security. BARDA DRIVe seeks feedback on a potential new novel public-private partnership that leverages venture capital practices and methods to disrupt the way BARDA invests in health security innovation. Learn more.   [post_title] => Request for Information: BARDA DRIVe Ventures [post_excerpt] => BARDA DRIVe wants to hear from the venture capital community – looking for feedback to support its newest novel public-private partnership, DRIVe Ventures. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => request-for-information-barda-drive-ventures [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2019-04-09 14:41:07 [post_modified_gmt] => 2019-04-09 14:41:07 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3131 [menu_order] => 104 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3640 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2020-10-16 14:49:58 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-10-16 14:49:58 [post_content] =>

Stony Brook University's Office of Technology Licensing and Industry Relations (OTLIR) has unveiled a new website allowing users easy access to important marketing information about SBU inventions, including images, technology descriptions, names of inventors, patent and licensing status, and technology licensing contacts. Users may browse by category, or search by keyword to find any particular technology, topic, or inventor. Visit the newInnovation site here: https://www.stonybrook.edu/technology-licensing/innovations/

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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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