The University at Buffalo Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology (UB CAT) operates within the CBLS, providing opportunity and infrastructure linking academic research with commercial interests. UB CAT facilitates commercialization of life sciences inventions that grow the New York State economy.
Karen M. Utz
Director, Program Administration
Office of Economic Development
716 881 7588
kmutz@buffalo.edu
UB CAT makes high-value connections between New York State businesses and R&D resources and expertise available through the University at Buffalo — one of the world’s top 200 universities. Companies that have a new or improved product line can use UB CAT for product development, optimization or design, testing, validation and quality control, or even clinical trials.
Sponsored by the New York State Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), UB CAT is one of the 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.
UB CAT works with companies across the life sciences spectrum, including:
Specifically, UB CAT provides access to:
Whether your company is big or small, established or just getting started, you can apply for UB CAT assistance through our annual RFP and rolling submission process.
2014 – 2015 technology development project applications were due on April 25, 2014. However, you can still review the 2014 –2015 UB CAT Project Guidelines (PDF) and the 2014 – 2015 UB CAT Project Application (Word), and contact us to discuss our rolling submission process.
The UB CAT project application is open to any company representative and researcher who meet the project requirements.
Karen M. Utz
Director, Program Administration
Office of Economic Development
716 881 7588
kmutz@buffalo.edu
The mission of the UB CAT is to drive growth of life sciences firms through new and improved products using biomedical and bioengineering technologies. UB CAT provides project cost-share support for R&D activities involving a company and a UB researcher with clear project deliverables that have significant potential for economic impact. In 2013, local companies received more than $537,000 through UB CAT to assist them in developing new life sciences technology. Funding is based on the following criteria:
*All projects are subject to State University of New York intellectual property policies. Principal Investigator eligibility is dependent on policy guidelines at the University at Buffalo (http://policy.business.buffalo.edu/Pages/RSH.aspx).
**UB CAT matching ratio varies from $1.00 CAT to $1.00 - $1.50 company match for small companies (< 100 employees) and $1.00 CAT to $2.00 - $2.50 company match for large companies (> 100 employees). A typical CAT contribution is $10,000 to $50,000, but may be larger or smaller depending on funding availability and the needs of the project.
***Economic impact resulting from a project is defined as an increase in company sponsor revenues (federal, nongovernment, product-based), cost savings to company, new jobs created, jobs saved, capital expenditures by company sponsor, intellectual property development, new company start-up opportunity or company relocation/expansion in New York State.
Application
The annual request for proposals is issued in March for the following fiscal year. Potential projects can also be received on a rolling basis throughout the year given availability of funds. We recommend you attend an information session or speak directly with a UB Business Development Executive to discuss your project idea. Then you can start by filling out an application (Word). When completed, send to Karen M. Utz at kmutz@buffalo.edu.
Review period
Applications received by UB CAT are subject to approval by the UB CAT Industrial Advisory Board (PDF). This board consists of professionals in the life sciences industry who are uniquely qualified to evaluate projects and comment on appropriateness of work being conducted through the UB CAT funding vehicle.
Award announcements
Award announcements will be made directly to the applicant prior to the project’s execution. Awards issued in response to proposals submitted no later than April 25, 2014, will be announced prior to July 1, 2014, pending availability of funding and NYSTAR approval. Award announcements for applications received on a rolling basis are announced after review by the UB CAT Industrial Advisory Board.
Post-award
Upon receiving project approval by UB CAT, a company sponsor will enter into a contracting period followed by account setup and project initiation. Principal Investigators are required to file Sponsored Project approval paperwork with the appropriate department leadership and Sponsored Programs to initiate account setup. Reporting of economic impact is required for a minimum of five years for all company sponsors following completion of a UB CAT project.
UB CAT is one of the Centers for Advanced Technology across New York State supporting university-industry collaboration in research, education and technology transfer with a strong focus on helping businesses gain a technological edge on their competition. The center operates under the guidance of NYSTAR, and is led by Alexander Cartwright, PhD, and Marnie LaVigne, PhD.
Highlights for 2013 – 2014 included the development of a more sensitive and specific test forSjögren syndrome, an autoimmune disease in which white blood cells attack the glands that produce tears and saliva, by Immco Diagnostics, Inc.
The list of 2013-2014 project cost-share awardees included:
UB CAT is accelerating the rise of one of Buffalo Niagara’s strategic growth sectors by supporting the launch of new companies, expansion of existing firms, and attraction of firms new to New York State. In 2013 alone, UB CAT’s engagement with firms yielded nearly $65 in economic impact for each $1 spent by the program, through growth in these companies. As a result, Western New York businesses were able to increase revenues, attract private and public investment, and create new jobs in our community.
The CBLS offers:
