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

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.

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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 would 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

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Deadline for EZ-BAA submission is June 30th. Innovations  are sought for multiple areas (.e. molecular assays, point-of-care diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, manufacturing platform, devices, ventilators.) Innovators are encouraged to review the most updated proposal solicitations through the links below: EZ BAA:  https://beta.sam.gov/opp/b4f7923443a448218d369209723141c5/view BARDA BAA:  https://beta.sam.gov/opp/1b46a4169fcb4902b9c4fcbb5bf981f7/view Innovators are also welcome to submit quick applications to this market research portal on COVID-19 which are frequently reviewed by an inter-agency task force committee, including CDC, HHS, and NIH: https://www.medicalcountermeasures.gov/app/barda/coronavirus.aspx If you have any questions regarding your technology and how to engage with BARDA, Please contact Phuong Nguyen at the Center for Biotechnology for help: phuong.t.nguyen@stonybrook.edu [post_title] => BARDA: Call for innovations to tackle COVID-19 [post_excerpt] => BARDA is calling for biomedical innovations to tackle COVID-19 pandemic through two major solilications. EZ-BAA solicitations for funding up to $750K, and BAA (no funding limit). [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => barda-call-for-innovations-to-tackle-covid-19 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2020-03-18 11:02:50 [post_modified_gmt] => 2020-03-18 11:02:50 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3462 [menu_order] => 73 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3433 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2020-01-31 19:46:34 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-01-31 19:46:34 [post_content] => BARDA is supporting US government market research to identify medical countermeasures with the potential to help address the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak. The agency wants to hear from companies developing diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, or other products. They are asking for a very brief (500-word) description of the product or technology, accompanied by a quad chart slide and one other short slide deck of your choosing. Please note that while they will use any information you present as market research, submission is no guarantee of funding and your submission will be shared across U.S. Government agencies involved in nCoV countermeasure research and development. Learn More: https://medicalcountermeasures.gov/app/barda/coronavirus.aspx [post_title] => BARDA Seeking Info to Identify Countermeasure to 2019 Novel Coronovirus [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => barda-seeking-info-to-identify-countermeasure-to-2019-novel-coronovirus [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2020-01-31 19:46:34 [post_modified_gmt] => 2020-01-31 19:46:34 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3433 [menu_order] => 76 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2060 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2015-12-14 20:06:35 [post_date_gmt] => 2015-12-14 20:06:35 [post_content] => Entrepreneur Derek Brand Selected to Facilitate New Bioscience Ventures STONY BROOK, N.Y. – December 14, 2015 – The Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University announced today the appointment of Derek Brand as BioEntrepreneur-In-Residence (B-EIR) for the Long Island Bioscience Hub.  The Long Island Bioscience Hub is a National Institutes of Health-designated Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub, and represents a partnership between Stony Brook University, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and Brookhaven National Laboratory, to commercialize technology emerging from their institutions. Mr. Brand most recently served as Vice President of Business Development at Enumeral Biomedical Corp., which licensed a single cell immunology platform out of MIT and is now a publicly traded biotechnology company with a pipeline of novel immunotherapies in oncology.  In addition to Enumeral, Mr. Brand has held both business and scientific roles at multiple early-stage, venture-backed biomedical startup companies; he has also held commercial leadership roles at GE and the New York Academy of Sciences and presently serves on the advisory board of Allovate LLC, a novel allergy immunotherapy company in NYC. He received his MBA from Babson College and his B.A. in biology from Hamilton College. “I’m excited to take on the role of BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence and looking forward to bringing a diverse array of startup experience to the LIBH community” Mr. Brand stated. “The opportunity to dig in at the earliest stages of innovation with the exceptional scientists at Long Island institutions is a terrific opportunity, and it’s an honor to have been selected.” “Mr. Brand is an excellent addition to the team of entrepreneurs engaged in the B-EIR initiative” Diane Fabel, Director of Operations for the Center for Biotechnology stated. “We are excited to see the positive impact these entrepreneurs will have as new companies are launched within the Hub.” Mr. Brand joins an impressive roster of seven B-EIRs that was expanded in November to include Drs. Brian McCarthy and Gian Luca Araldi. Dr. McCarthy has an extensive background as an investment analyst and as the President and CEO of the startup Influmedix while Dr. Araldi has had a distinguished career in drug discovery within the pharmaceutical industry and as the Founder and Principal of US Pharma Services. LIBH B-EIRs are tasked with identifying technology or technologies from within the partner institutions that will create the foundation for licensing and company formation.  B-EIRs will have the support of the LIBH business and technology development staff, along with external industry advisors to develop successful commercialization strategies, and position the company for SBIR/STTR grant opportunities, and Angel and VC investment. The LIBH can also provide opportunities to access development funding to help advance technologies towards commercialization.  Ultimately, the goal is to foster the creation and growth of new ventures that leverage the exceptional scientific and technological advances taking place at LIBH institutions. 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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 would 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

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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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