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Long Island Bioscience Hub Announces Funded Projects

Accelerating Biomedical Discoveries for Commercialization

STONY BROOK, N.Y. – December 7, 2015 – The Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University, on behalf of the Long Island Bioscience Hub (LIBH), announced today the recipients of the first technology development grants awarded by the Hub. Thirteen awards totaling $900,000 were granted to applicants from Stony Brook University, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and Brookhaven National Laboratory.

The LIBH technology development grants are a multi-tiered funding initiative aimed at collectively contributing to a pipeline of commercially promising biomedical technology in the region. The three funding initiatives include Feasibility, Proof of Concept and Commercialization awards.

Feasibility awards are designed to rapidly test the feasibility of new ideas in a “fail-fast-or-proceed” format, or to add value to existing intellectual property leading to new market applications of an existing technology.  Proof of Concept Awards provide targeted, milestone driven support for proof of concept research, development, testing, and analysis of existing intellectual property. The final tier, Commercialization Awards, provide targeted, milestone-driven support for a subset of projects with existing intellectual property where additional investment will clearly advance the technology to a major value inflection point for commercialization.

The grants awarded this cycle will support technologies developed across multiple disciplines including pharmacology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, and microbiology. Among the award recipients were two post-doctoral researchers. Of the thirteen grants awarded, eight were Feasibility awards and five were Proof of Concept Awards. The recipients of this round of awards are:

Feasibility awards

  • Targeting Pathogenic Viral Infections with First-In-Class Viral Budding Inhibitors – Dr. Carol Carter
  • Development of Small Molecule Inhibitors for PLD6 as Therapeutics for Triple Negative Breast Cancer – Dr. Michael Frohman
  • Novel miR-129 Based Therapeutics for Colon Cancer – Dr. Jingfang Ju
  • Fast Hybrid Approach For Determination of Structure of Therapeutic Protein Complexes – Dr. Dima Kosakov
  • Enhancement of Protein Yields Using Mechanical Signals: Augmenting Biotech Production to Reduce Drug Costs – Dr. Gabriel Pagnotti
  • Non-invasive Acoustic Radiation Force Therapy for OA Induced Pain and Cartilage Regeneration – Dr. Yixian Qin
  • LDL as Biomarker for Childhood Tuberculosis (TB) – Dr. Xinxin Yang

Proof of Concept awards

  • A New Standard of Care for Implant Bed Preparation Utilizing an Innovative Drill Bit Technology – Dr. Marcous Abboud
  • Orthovoltage X-Ray Minibeams: Brain Tumor Therapy with Tissue-sparing Incident Beams – Dr. Avraham Dilmanian
  • NEW‐HARP: A Highly Sensitive Avalanche Selenium Detector for Time‐of‐Flight (TOF) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) – Dr. Amirhossein Goldan
  • Azasteroids for Combination Anti-TB Therapy – Dr. Nicole Sampson
  • A Novel Glioblastoma Drug – Oncolytic Virus PV1-Mono-Cre – Dr. Eckard Wimmer

​“We are excited to see such a robust and diverse portfolio of early stage technologies supported through the LIBH and NIH-REACH consortium,” said Clinton T. Rubin, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor, Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Director, Center for Biotechnology. “We are hopeful that this investment by the federal and state government, as well as SBU, CSHL and BNL, will foster and accelerate the translation of these technologies from the bench to the bed side, and help attract further investment from the industrial and financial sectors.”

The main goal of the LIBH is to foster the development of therapeutics, preventatives, diagnostics, devices and research tools emerging from LIBH partner institutions that address diseases within the NIH’s mission.

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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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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 will 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

[post_title] => Long Island to be location for Nation-Leading Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Hub: New York BioGenesis Park. [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => long-island-to-be-location-for-nation-leading-cell-and-gene-therapy-innovation-hub-new-york-biogenesis-park [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-02-26 16:35:20 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-02-26 21:35:20 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=4488 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 1358 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2015-01-28 16:48:44 [post_date_gmt] => 2015-01-28 16:48:44 [post_content] => Traverse Biosciences, founded by the Center's first appointed BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence Joseph Scaduto, was just awarded a $205,709, Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Award in Partnership with the School of Dental Medicine at Stony Brook University, to evaluate the effectiveness of the company's lead drug candidate for the treatment of periodontal disease. This is the second Phase I STTR award for Traverse Biosciences this year. The research will be led by Lorne Golub, DMD, MD (Honorary) in the Department of Oral Biology and Pathology, and Ying Gu, PhD, DDS, in the Department of General Dentistry, who will serve as co-principle investigators on the award, in close collaboration with Traverse Biosciences. "I congratulate Traverse Biosciences on securing a second STTR award to advance their product development and commercialization efforts," stated Dr. Clinton Rubin, Director of the New York State Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University. He added, "STTR funding represents a significant milestone for graduates of our burgeoning BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence program, which is meant to impact the innovation economy and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region." A full press release can be found here: http://www.traversebiosciences.com/pr150126perio.html TraverseBioLogo2 [post_title] => Traverse Biosciences receives $205,709 Phase I STTR Award [post_excerpt] => Traverse Biosciences, founded by the Center's first appointed BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence Joseph Scaduto, was just awarded a $205,709, Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Award in Partnership with the School of Dental Medicine at Stony Brook University [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => traverse-biosciences-receives-205709-phase-i-sttr-award [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2023-05-13 16:06:32 [post_modified_gmt] => 2023-05-13 16:06:32 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/new/?p=1358 [menu_order] => 216 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4719 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2025-02-26 10:42:11 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-02-26 15:42:11 [post_content] =>

The SBV Challenge is focused on identifying high-potential, impactful cutting-edge hard tech venture concepts originating from research labs and universities on Long Island, accelerating and supporting their commercialization journey to bring impactful, equitable and sustainable solutions and products to market. The SBV Challenge is looking to support champions of hard tech innovations in Energy, Health and Information

SBV Challenge participants and winners receive mentorship and incentives to advance their technologies and accelerate their entrepreneurial journey.

Learn more and apply here: https://lihti.org/venture-champions-challenge/

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SBU Startup, Lahara Bio, presented in the start-up stadium event at the 2023 BIO International Convention in June.

Christopher Ashdown, a MD/PhD student at Stony Brook University, and Center for Biotechnology Program alumnus presented on behalf of Lahara after securing a spot in the coveted forum by winning multiple pitch competitions from NIH SEED office.

According to Ashdown, “Bio 2023 was an amazing experience, and I was thrilled to be able to share the exciting work that we're doing at Lahara Bio with the greater bioscience community. The CfB was incredibly helpful in preparing the company for this conference and has done an excellent job of helping me develop on a personal/professional level".

In addition to the main stage presentation, Ashdown also presented Lahara Bio at the NIH booth. Lahara Bio was sponsored to attend BIO by the NIH after Ashdown won the national investor pitch competition at the NIH Proof of Concept Network annual meeting this past spring.

Lahara Bio is an early-stage biotechnology company using cell-specific mechanical vibration to non-invasively improve biomanufacturing outcomes. Learn more about the company and the team behind Lahara at laharabio.com.

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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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