UB CAT awards over $500K to innovative life sciences companies

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology (UB CAT), a program of UB’s New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences (CBLS), has awarded more than $500,000 in funding to 16 life sciences companies.

Sponsored by the New York State Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), the UB CAT is one of 15 designated higher education institutions in New York State dedicated to leveraging university resources to drive company growth in technology-based industry sectors. UB CAT is one of only three CATs focused on the biomedical arena.

The companies receiving UB CAT support for the 2016-17 fiscal year are:

• Abcombi Biosciences, a preclinical-stage biotechnology company utilizing “smart” vaccines to redefine the design of pneumococcal vaccines.
• Albany Molecular Research Inc. (AMRI), a global contract research and manufacturing organization identifying novel cancer therapeutics to support and expand its drug discovery service.
• Atomic Medical Innovations Inc., a surgical products and medical device company creating a specialized foam product to help combat enterocutaneous fistulas (ECFs).
• Cellular Preservation Technologies, uses xenon gas as a preservative to increase the shelf life of cells.
• Efferent Labs, a preclinical-stage medical technology company creating an implantable biosensor technology that uses living cells to monitor human biology.
• Empirican PRN, a physician-directed clinical research network dedicated to rapid, high quality patient enrollment.
• For-Robin Inc., an immunotherapy company that is developing an antibody that attacks tumor cells.
• Heads Up Display Inc., a wearable technology company, detects, indicates and records hazardous exposure in life-threatening work environments.
• INVO Bioscience Inc., a medical device company that is creating a biodegradable polymer for in vivo fertilization treatment.
• Medical Conservation Devices LLC, a medical device company that is analyzing a new ventilator system to be used in hospitals.
• ONY Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that uses an artificial blood vessel to alleviate heart defects in infants.
• Photolitec LLC, a life sciences company using photodynamic technology both surgically and therapeutically to treat cancer patients.
• PostProcess Technologies LLC, an additive manufacturer that cleans and modifies material surface properties on 3D printed materials.
• Rheonix Inc., a molecular diagnostics company, creating a powerful microfluidic platform that miniaturizes and automates all the functions of a molecular biology lab on a disposable chip.
• SynchroPET Inc., a biomedical device manufacturer with a groundbreaking technology in the radiological PET scanner field.
• You First Services Inc., a research and development company that is fabricating an enduring temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with lubricated fibrous tissue to reduce wear.

In addition, Jeff Dunbar, director for UB’s Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR), has been named co-director of UB CAT with Norma Nowak, PhD, executive director of the CBLS, who has served as director and principal investigator of UB CAT since 2014.

“We are thrilled to have Jeff as co-director of the UB CAT,” Nowak said. “He brings a wealth of industry expertise and support to the center staff, life sciences companies and university faculty.”

As director of STOR, Dunbar identifies, protects and commercializes new technologies that stem from more than $150 million in annual UB research and development expenditures.

Dunbar is a former senior product manager and senior financial analyst for Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals and worked in production management and engineering for Dunlop Tire Corporation. Dunbar holds a MBA with concentrations in marketing and finance and a BS in industrial engineering, both from UB, and is a member of the Association of University Technology Managers.

Under Nowak and Dunbar’s leadership, the UB CAT will continue to assist the companies and university faculty and maximize the outcomes of the projects, making a stronger impact on the New York State economy and ecosystem.

Companies interested in learning more about UB CAT and the application process may contact Natalie Weil at 716-888-4728 or nweil@buffalo.edu.