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Vitatex Awarded NCI Contract

Vitatex, a Stony Brook-based biotechnology company located in the Long Island High Technology Incubator, has announced that it was awarded an SBIR Phase I/II Fast Track contract in September 2015 from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for its Vita-Cap™ CTC Capture and Preservation tubes. A modification to exercise the option for a two-year SBIR Phase II of the contract was executed on June 8, 2016.

Vitatex Inc. provides proprietary invasive circulating tumor cell (iCTC) enrichment technology and products to develop revolutionary cancer genetic and cell tests. These “liquid biopsies” focus on next generation sequencing (NGS) detection, gene expression profiling and flow cytometry and have recently been adopted by the clinical laboratory community to characterize cancer cells and/or their RNA/DNA in blood samples non-invasively and serially, and to acquire genetic alternations and drug resistance information, which have the potential to replace tests run on surgical biopsies.

Clinical metastasis of solid tumors is linked to blood-borne dissemination of viable tumor cells in the circulation and clinical instrumentation is now available to isolate, enumerate, culture, generate metastatic mouse models and perform molecular analyses on these circulating tumor cells (CTCs). However, CTCs are fragile and tend to degrade within a few days when collected in standard blood collection tubes.

“The functional CTC preparation tube is designed to collect, enrich and preserve the viability/functionality of cancer cells in blood all within a closed system” said Wen-Tien Chen, PhD., Chief Scientific Officer of Vitatex. “The goal is to define conditions of Vitatex CTC preparation tubes for capturing and preserving cancer cells in the blood of patients with breast, ovarian and other types for up to 96 hours of transit.”

Specific terms of the contract were not disclosed.

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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 ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3228 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2019-04-08 14:42:13 [post_date_gmt] => 2019-04-08 14:42:13 [post_content] => Thinking of starting a life science company? The Center for Biotechnology can provide access to a compelling, pre-screened pipeline of academic technologies, milestone based incentives, access to early-stage funding opportunities, and staff support to serve as your virtual start-up team. The Long Island, NY region has a well demonstrated capacity for innovation, serving as home to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Stony Brook University, the Feinstein Institute at Northwell Health, and Brookhaven National Laboratory, among others. Sample technologies that have emerged from the region include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), ReoPro®; Xiaflex®; Cavistat®; Oracea®, and 3D Virtual Colonoscopy. More details on the BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence initiative can be found here. Women and underrepresented minorities are encouraged to inquire. If you are interested in the initiative or would like to discuss further, please contact Diane Fabel at diane.fabel@stonybrook.edu or call 631.632.1582. [post_title] => Call for Entrepreneurs! [post_excerpt] => If you are taking the entrepreneurial leap for the first time, or are a seasoned entrepreneur looking for their next venture, the Center for Biotechnology would like to hear from you. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => call-for-entrepreneurs [to_ping] => [pinged] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/what-we-do/business-development/ [post_modified] => 2019-05-03 16:38:03 [post_modified_gmt] => 2019-05-03 16:38:03 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3228 [menu_order] => 97 [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] => 3099 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2018-12-17 20:28:10 [post_date_gmt] => 2018-12-17 20:28:10 [post_content] => The course is presented in a series of five sequential videos. The video modules and course details can be found here: https://www.nibib.nih.gov/entrepreneurial-finance-course The National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports the development and commercialization of biomedical technologies through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. With the goal of bringing life-saving innovations to market, NIH SBIR/STTR funding provides early-stage seed capital to US-owned small businesses. While the commercialization of biomedical technologies can require a significant amount of both time and money, rigorous financial planning can help navigate and mitigate risks for small businesses and can enhance chances of success along the pathway to market. For biomedical innovators considering funding through the NIH SBIR/STTR programs (https://sbir.nih.gov), it is imperative to evaluate the use of federal grant funding within the context of a broader financial plan. Course Objectives The purpose of this course is to present biomedical entrepreneurs with a detailed framework for building a step-wise, validated financial plan. Moving beyond the short-term perspective of immediate financing needs to a comprehensive, long-term financial plan will increase the probability of success for your venture. The primary learning objectives for this course are as follows: - Understand the importance of financial planning for your small business - Gain perspective on SBIR/STTR funding within the broader context of your financial plan - Learn practical approaches to developing a long-term financial plan - Evaluate the various sources of funding - Examine the use of comparables in validating your financial plan   [post_title] => Free Course from NIH: Entrepreneurial Finance for Biomedical Innovators [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => free-course-from-nih-entrepreneurial-finance-for-biomedical-innovators [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2018-12-17 20:28:10 [post_modified_gmt] => 2018-12-17 20:28:10 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3099 [menu_order] => 109 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 4 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => 1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4488 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2024-10-24 10:45:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2024-10-24 14:45:00 [post_content] =>

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

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