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Kathera Bioscience Receives SBIR Phase I Fast Track Award To Advance Novel Drugs To Treat Life Threatening Fungal Infections

Kathera Bioscience Inc., a privately-held biotech startup was awarded a SBIR Fast Track grant with a value of up to $3,298,530 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for its dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) program. Kathera Bioscience was founded by CFB Advisor and Long Island BIoMentor Initiative Mentor Dr. Stephen Parent.

Kathera is developing novel therapeutics to treat fungal infections, a major cause of human disease with an estimated 11.5 million annual life-threatening infections globally, resulting in more than 1.5 million deaths. The award will fund selection of a lead series in the Phase 1 award and lead optimization in Phase 2. Read more about Kathera and the award here.

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                    [post_content] => 

The Redesignation brings $10 million in funding to drive innovation, company formation, and economic growth.

The Center for Biotechnology (CFB) has announced its re-designated as a Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) by Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), a recognition that comes with $1 million in annual funding over the next ten years. The $10 million commitment underscores the CFB’s leadership in accelerating life science innovation, supporting early-stage technology development, and fueling economic growth through start-up formation and industry partnerships.

“The Center for Biotechnology has served as a critical bridge between academic research and commercial success,” said Dr. Clinton Rubin, Director of the Center for Biotechnology. “This re-designation ensures we can continue to expand our impact, helping innovators bring breakthrough technology to market and strengthening New York’s position as a leader in the bioscience industry.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “NYSTAR’s Centers for Advanced Technology are vital to our strategic efforts to grow New York’s economy and the state’s greater innovation ecosystem. By investing in the industries of tomorrow, New Yorkers benefit today through dynamic partnerships that help to create new jobs, generate more revenues, and encourage more companies to establish a footprint in communities all throughout the state.”

The Center for Biotechnology is located on the campus of Stony Brook University (SBU), the flagship research institution within the prestigious State University of New York (SUNY) system. Stony Brook University is recognized as a national and global leader in life sciences research, biomedical innovation, and clinical care. Situated on Long Island, New York, Stony Brook has built a formidable reputation as a hub for cutting-edge scientific discovery and translational medicine. The Center for Biotechnology builds upon these strengths by providing cutting-edge programming and competitive financial support to advance biomedical innovation and emerging company growth.

“We are excited to build upon the successful foundation of strong entrepreneurial networks, infrastructure, and programming that we have built over the last four decades” said Dr. Diane Fabel, Chief Operating Officer at the Center for Biotechnology. “The impacts we have had during our last designation period include over $1B in total economic impact with more than 1000 jobs created, and driving more than $315M in follow-on funding. We are excited to see those numbers continue to grow when we celebrate fifty years of hard work at the end of this redesignation period”.

As part of the New York State CAT program, the CFB will continue to work with emerging and established companies across the state to de-risk early-stage technologies, advance both technology and company value, foster public-private collaboration, and provide critical infrastructure for the region’s growing life science ecosystem. Additionally, the CFB team will continue its efforts to develop a life sciences workforce to support the region's bio-innovation economy with a specific emphasis on sectors deemed important to the NYS economy.

Dowload the full press release here.

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Center for Biotechnology's Director of Operations, Diane Fabel recently penned an OpEd for the Long Island Business News: "Biotech investments, partnerships key to LI economy".

"Breakthroughs made by academic and industry scientists over the last 20 years have advanced the field of biomedicine exponentially. Immunotherapies, regenerative medicine, and pre-symptomatic diagnostics are now realities.

Long Island is facing a moment of enormous potential to advance biomedical discoveries that will improve human health and drive economic growth. Enabled by a concentration of world-class research institutions, and an emerging bioscience industry cluster, the region is at a tipping point."

Read the full article on LIBN.com

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We have exciting news to share for one of our Cfb clients Biocogent, a research and development biotechnology company that manufactures ingredients used in topical and medical skin care products. The company has recently closed a $10 million deal with Town of Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency (IDA)  to establish a three-building campus in North Bellport and invest further in infrastructure and equipment and bring outsourced manufacturing back to Long Island, expanding from their previous 12,000 square foot facility at Stony Brook University's Long Island High Tech Incubator.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to work with the Brookhaven IDA to enable us to expand our business operation on Long Island,” said Joseph Ceccoli, President and CEO of Biocogent. “We share a strong mutual commitment to Long Island’s continued growth as a biotechnology leader in the region.”

“High-tech, well-paying manufacturing and R&D jobs like what Biocogent will bring to the Town of Brookhaven is what will help stem the brain drain of our young people,” said Frederick C. Braun III, Chairman of the Town of Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency. “The economic future of Long Island depends on attracting and retaining companies like Biocogent.”

The expansion of Biocogent’s operation will require a $10 million capital investment and additional personnel for its Bellport location. Biocogent will retain its operations and personnel currently located at the Stony Brook Long island High Technology Incubator.

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The 2024 Bristol Myers Squibb Golden Ticket competition is now live and offers incredible opportunities for your startup:

  • Dedicated lab space in the heart of NYC
  • Unparalleled networking and programming opportunities
  • Tax-free benefits to accelerate your growth
  • Access to a vibrant community of innovators

Bristol Myers Squibb will select up to two (2) winners. Do not miss this chance to fast-track your milestones! Apply now: https://www.biolabs.io/bmsgoldenticket2024

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The Redesignation brings $10 million in funding to drive innovation, company formation, and economic growth.

The Center for Biotechnology (CFB) has announced its re-designated as a Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) by Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), a recognition that comes with $1 million in annual funding over the next ten years. The $10 million commitment underscores the CFB’s leadership in accelerating life science innovation, supporting early-stage technology development, and fueling economic growth through start-up formation and industry partnerships.

“The Center for Biotechnology has served as a critical bridge between academic research and commercial success,” said Dr. Clinton Rubin, Director of the Center for Biotechnology. “This re-designation ensures we can continue to expand our impact, helping innovators bring breakthrough technology to market and strengthening New York’s position as a leader in the bioscience industry.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “NYSTAR’s Centers for Advanced Technology are vital to our strategic efforts to grow New York’s economy and the state’s greater innovation ecosystem. By investing in the industries of tomorrow, New Yorkers benefit today through dynamic partnerships that help to create new jobs, generate more revenues, and encourage more companies to establish a footprint in communities all throughout the state.”

The Center for Biotechnology is located on the campus of Stony Brook University (SBU), the flagship research institution within the prestigious State University of New York (SUNY) system. Stony Brook University is recognized as a national and global leader in life sciences research, biomedical innovation, and clinical care. Situated on Long Island, New York, Stony Brook has built a formidable reputation as a hub for cutting-edge scientific discovery and translational medicine. The Center for Biotechnology builds upon these strengths by providing cutting-edge programming and competitive financial support to advance biomedical innovation and emerging company growth.

“We are excited to build upon the successful foundation of strong entrepreneurial networks, infrastructure, and programming that we have built over the last four decades” said Dr. Diane Fabel, Chief Operating Officer at the Center for Biotechnology. “The impacts we have had during our last designation period include over $1B in total economic impact with more than 1000 jobs created, and driving more than $315M in follow-on funding. We are excited to see those numbers continue to grow when we celebrate fifty years of hard work at the end of this redesignation period”.

As part of the New York State CAT program, the CFB will continue to work with emerging and established companies across the state to de-risk early-stage technologies, advance both technology and company value, foster public-private collaboration, and provide critical infrastructure for the region’s growing life science ecosystem. Additionally, the CFB team will continue its efforts to develop a life sciences workforce to support the region's bio-innovation economy with a specific emphasis on sectors deemed important to the NYS economy.

Dowload the full press release here.

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Center for Biotechnology Announces Redesignation as New York State Center for Advanced Technology

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Skincare Manufacturing Company, Biocogent, Plans $10 million Expansion in North Bellport

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BMS Golden Ticket Competition!

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