UB congratulates 43North finalists

BUFFALO, N.Y. – “It is my great pleasure to congratulate all the finalists in the 43North business idea competition, especially Cytocybernetics, a remarkable biotechnology firm founded by UB professors Glenna Bett and Randall Rasmusson,” said UB President Satish K. Tripathi.

UB is very proud of the leadership role its faculty members, researchers and graduates play in helping to solve critical and emerging problems that society faces, as well as their work that leads to sustained, long-term economic growth in Western New York, Tripathi said.

“This exciting new program has once again spotlighted the startup culture that is flourishing in Buffalo. It is attracting talented entrepreneurs from across the world and helping to plant the seeds for tremendous economic growth in the years to come.”

Interim Vice President for Research and Economic Development Venu Govindaraju said: “It’s entrepreneurs like Glenna Bett and Randall Rasmusson that are solidifying Western New York’s reputation as a world-class research hub for biotechnology and life sciences. Extraordinary technologies, such as Cytocybernetics’ technique for replicating heart cells, are at the forefront of the Buffalo Niagara region’s economic resurgence. UB is looking forward to continuing to work with Cytocybernetics to help ensure that it becomes a cornerstone in Western New York’s economy.”

UB has partnered with Cytocybernetics through its Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach; the Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology; UB’s New York State Center in Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences and START-UP NY. Cytocybernetics also received a $50,000 investment from the State University of New York Technology Accelerator Fund.