Research News

UB CAT awards funding

By JULIE MOLENDA

Published January 17, 2014 This content is archived.

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“Hand in hand with funding, the UB CAT is a gateway to R&D resources, business development assistance and countless networking opportunities for businesses looking to thrive in the life sciences sector. ”
Marnie LaVigne, associate vice president for economic development

UB’s Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology (UB CAT) realized its largest economic impact to date — $64.6 million — during 2013, awarding more than $537,000 to 19 Western New York companies to assist them in developing new life sciences technology.

During the 2012-13 program year, UB CAT worked with both new and established companies to help create 123 jobs. Highlights include development of a more sensitive and specific test for Sjogren’s syndrome by IMMCO Diagnostics Inc., and the relocation from Idaho of the headquarters of Sentient Science to UB’s Jacobs Executive Development Center on the Downtown Campus.

The UB CAT has continued to expand its leadership role in technology-based economic development efforts through participation in the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council and the Buffalo Billion investment development plan, and through UB’s newly designated New York State Center of Excellence in Material Informatics, located in UB’s New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences (CoE) on the Downtown Campus. In addition, the CoE also recently welcomed its first venture capital firm as a tenant.

The UB CAT is one of 15 centers across New York State supporting university-industry collaboration in research, education and technology transfer, with a strong focus on helping New York-based businesses gain a technological edge on their competition.

“Projects that are supported by the UB CAT foster long-term partnerships that drive substantial economic impact for New York State,” says Marnie LaVigne, associate vice president for economic development. “Hand in hand with funding, the UB CAT is a gateway to R&D resources, business development assistance and countless networking opportunities for businesses looking to thrive in the life sciences sector.”

This past year, 19 businesses were chosen from a group of 34 applicants seeking funding to create new and improved life sciences products and services. One such company, Photolitec LLC, will use its $75,000 award to develop new PET imaging compounds that will be extremely useful in imaging pancreatic cancer, brain tumors and diabetic cancer patients. The longer half-life of the Photolitec imaging agent will help in transporting the material longer distances without any loss of radioactivity.

The full list of awardees includes Medical Acoustics LLC., For-Robin, Pro-Al Medico, Buffalo BioBlower Technologies LLC, Precision Scientific Instruments Inc., CureFaktor Pharmaceuticals LLC, Greatbatch Medical Inc., Cleveland BioLabs, Applied Sciences Group Inc., Diagnaid, Photolitec LLC., ONY Inc., Evolution Dental Science, Gradfly, Imagination Software Corporation, Applied Medical Coatings LLC, SynchroPET and Omantec LLC.

UB also was recognized for is exemplary work in economic engagement by being chosen as one of six finalists for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ inaugural Economic Prosperity University Awards. The awards recognize public universities that put their resources to work in their region by helping to grow businesses and strengthen the economy.

Economic engagement includes universities working with public- and private-sector partners to support economic development through such activities as workforce development, innovation and entrepreneurship, technology transfer and community development.

For more Information on UB CAT and the center’s award application process, visit the UB CAT website.