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UB CAT supports researchers’ collaboration with industry
By JOHN DELLACONTRADA
Contributing Editor
The UB Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology (UB CAT) is funding university researchers working with 13 life sciences companies and organizations in Buffalo Niagara as part of $1 million in annual support provided by the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) to the UB CAT.
The UB CAT, located in the New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, is one of 15 CAT sites at universities across New York State that receive annual funding from NYSTAR. The UB CAT is one of the three CAT sites that focus specifically on life sciences versus other technologies.
The Centers for Advanced Technology program was established in 1983 to generate economic impact in the state through university-industry applied research collaborations and technology transfer, with a strong focus on helping New York businesses gain a competitive technological edge.
The UB CAT is an important component of efforts to grow the Buffalo Niagara life sciences industry, according to Bruce A. Holm, senior vice provost and executive director of the UB CAT and the UB Center of Excellence.
"UB CAT's support over the years has helped spur the birth of a life sciences industry in Buffalo Niagara," Holm said. "The linkages it creates between UB researchers and new and existing local companies are essential to leveraging UB's research-and-development expertise to create new bioengineering and biomedical products and services for maximum impact on the region's economy."
Receiving UB CAT support are UB researchers James Mohler, professor of urology; James Atwood, professor of chemistry; Steven Gill, associate professor of oral biology; Peter Nickerson, professor of pathology and anatomical sciences; David Hangauer, associate professor of chemistry; Donald Henderson, professor of communicative disorders and sciences; Vipin Chaudhary, associate professor of computer science and engineering; Alan Hutson, professor and chair, Department of Biostatistics; Bradley Fuhrman, professor of pediatrics and anesthesiology; Joan Dorn, professor of social and preventive medicine; Jian Feng, associate professor of physiology and biophysics; Frederick Sachs, professor of physiology and biophysical sciences; and Norma Nowak, director of science and technology, New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences.
The funding is supporting UB researchers' work with local companies Androbiosys, Dirhodium Technologies, Empire Genomics, Harvest Precision Components Inc., Kinex Pharmaceuticals, Medcotek, Medical Acoustics, Medical Conservation Devices, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, NutriCyte, Reichert Inc., SmartPill Corporation and Synergena.
The UB CAT focuses on biomedical and bioengineering translational research for development of useful products with commercial potential. By accelerating science transfer, the UB CAT helps foster the creation of new biotech start-up companies and helps existing biomedical businesses expand through new or improved product lines. Programs include matching grants for mid-to-late stage development of drugs, biologics, diagnostics, devices, services or other related products with commercial potential.
The UB CAT also offers assistance in core technologies, building on the facilities, faculty and expertise available in Buffalo Niagara at UB and collaborating academic institutions in Buffalo Niagara. It offers educational programs and business-development assistance, often in partnership with programs at academic institutions and affiliated organizations.
NYSTAR was created as part of the landmark Jobs 2000 Act (J2K) to spur commercialization through academic research, help companies create new products and processes, and help create new companies and jobs in New York. It works with the state's more than 300 public and private research universities and institutions of higher learning.