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William Belden
President, CSO and Professor Emeritus at Apheon BioscienceApheon Bioscience specializes in research and development to support life sciences research through recombinant molecular biology technologies. Apheon Bioscience is committed to helping large and small organizations identify novel disease biomarkers to advance first-in-class immunotherapies. Apheon Bioscience offers affinity-based tumor antigen and biomarker discovery services that simultaneously provide therapeutic lead compounds. Other areas of research include the development of recombinant immune-particles to enhance complex immunoselection procedures and for precision diagnostics. We are also utilizing our platform for synthetic biology applications by creating novel abzyme (antibody-enzymes) capable of boosting catalytic enzymatic activity. We offer all our goods and services to assist academic laboratories and life sciences companies. Our mission is to streamline and boost research productivity in a cost-effective manner to help drive discovery. We welcome partnerships to develop immunotherapies for diseases with unmet medical needs. Our affinity-based antibody development platform profiles disease states based on antigenicity and provides both the biomarker target and corresponding therapeutic lead all-in-one. Lead compounds can be reversed engineered into recombinant human monoclonal antibodies, CAR-T therapy, or converted into antibody drug conjugates (ADC). The platform can also be deployed for precision medicine serving as a diagnostic to guide combination treatment decisions.
Andy Berglund
Director of The RNA Institute | University at AlbanyDr. Berglund is the Director of the RNA Institute and Keith Hynes Endowed Professor in STEM in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Albany. He received his BA in Biochemistry from the University of Colorado and his PhD in Biochemistry from Brandeis. His research is focused on the structure and function of RNA, including the mechanisms of RNA splicing and its role in human disease and therapeutic development. His group solved the first atomic resolution structure of the toxic CUG repeats that contribute to the leading cause of adult-onset muscular dystrophy – myotonic dystrophy. The Berglund lab continues to focus on alternative splicing and myotonic dystrophy with the goal of translating basic science into clinical advances using a combination of biochemical, cellular and genomic approaches. His lab is working to understand the disease mechanisms of myotonic dystrophy and how small molecules can be developed to target these processes. He has received funding for his research from the NIH, DOD, and industry partners, serves as the Chair of the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation Scientific Advisory Board, and is the cofounder of Repeat RNA Therapeutics, a company dedicated to advancing therapeutic development for the 50+ diseases associated with microsatellite repeat expansions.
John Douglas Cleary, PhD
Chief Operating Officer at Repeat RNA Therapeutics IncCompany Description – Repeat RNA Therapeutics (RRTx) is an early-stage startup focused on a drug discovery and development pipeline that targets the family of 50+ devastating diseases caused by expansion RNAs. While these diseases affect over 5% of the population, they universally lack effective disease modifying therapies, are difficult to diagnose, and result in long-lasting illness and mortality. Using our selective RNA Repeat Reduction platform technology we identify and develop new molecules and genetic targets that selectively reduce the toxic repeat RNAs which are the root cause of repeat expansion diseases. Complementing our therapeutic pipeline is deep knowledge of disease mechanism, biomarkers, and clinical trial design for repeat disorders. Our expertise, assets, and technology are used to support an informed transition of RRTx’s drugs out of the lab and into the clinical trial space.
Steve Festin
AlpineBioPartnersJUDGE PANEL
Stephen Festin, Ph.D. has a proven track record of strong entrepreneurial innovation in bringing life science technologies to the biotech industry, employing a unique blend of scientific expertise, commercial acumen, and operational awareness providing solutions that solve problems of life science therapeutic and pre-clinical development.
Recently Steve held the position of Senior Director of Scientific and Commercial Development for Charles River Laboratories with responsibility for strategic identification, development, and adoption of novel technologies and laboratory methods. He demonstrated an impressive track record in enabling strategically expanded global portfolios, pioneering scientific capabilities, and establishing novel platforms such as the first-ever CRL commercial platform for humanized mouse models, CRISPR-based model creation, and microbiome model services.
Before Charles River and after a successful academic career focused on developing breast cancer treatments, he gained valuable experience professionally working at the science-business interface. Steve has identified and helped commercialize several novel Life Science technologies for the scientific community to improve preclinical outcomes. Qualified and validated multiple platform technologies as in vivo platforms and lab services for regulatory-compliant (GLP and GMP) laboratories. Strategically developed and negotiated international License, Access, and Commercialization (LAC) in business across multiple research disease-focused divisions. Leveraged Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile operations productivity and quality process improvement initiatives to establish, manage, and restructure several molecular, in vivo, laboratories as Global Director and Head of R&D at Taconic. Provided oversight as VP of Research at Pulmokine of ongoing research projects and strategic business directions in the development of novel kinase/signaling pathway targets for the treatment of pulmonary disease.
He recently founded AlpineBio Partners to build teams dedicated to accelerating the development of transformative scientific ideas and discoveries into real-world solutions leveraging networks and expertise to foster commercial scientific innovation in preclinical model development across diverse academic, biotech, pharmaceutical, and CRO organizations.
Dr. Festin's entrepreneurial vision extends beyond scientific innovation. He places a premium on the commercial viability of developments, carefully navigating regulatory landscapes and forging relationships with investors to secure crucial support for research endeavors. Driven by an unwavering commitment to societal impact, Dr. Festin's entrepreneurial journey in biotech exemplifies a fusion of scientific excellence, business prowess, and an unrelenting pursuit of advancing biomedical solutions poised to transform the well-being of individuals and improving the quality of life of those in need.
Steve’s started with beginnings in basic science receiving a B.S. in Chemistry from Villanova University and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Albany Medical College. Completed post-doctoral training at the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD serving on multiple non-profit board and committee advisory functions and mentoring aspiring scientists, underscoring his commitment to fostering scientific and entrepreneurial development among diverse young minds.
Sumanta Goswami
Founder and CEO of AlbaNYlabs LLCAlbaNYlabs is an NYCOQ-ED virology laboratory in Albany, NY. Both independently and in collaboration with NYSDOH Wadsworth center we have developed molecular assays that help identify replicative and potentially infectious viruses. Something that no other molecular assay can do. We have patent protection for one such assay for SARS-CoV-2 in collaboration with NYSDOH and are working on several more assays. This is a disruptive technology that targets the viral disease diagnosis market which is currently estimated to be at a value of US$ 18,560.5 Mn at the end of 2022 and expected to reach a value of US$ 30,046.1 Mn by 2030 with a significant CAGR of 6.2% in the USA.
Jennifer Hawks Bland
Chief Executive Officer at NewYorkBIOJennifer Hawks Bland is the Chief Executive Officer of NewYorkBIO. Prior to joining NewYorkBIO, Ms. Bland was an Executive Director in the State Government Affairs & Policy group at Merck. She has also held government affairs positions at GlaxoSmithKline and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), the 136-year old trade association representing manufacturers of over-the- counter medicines. Ms. Bland previously was an associate with the Jackson, MS law firm of Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens, & Cannada, PLLC where she principally practiced in the area of products liability litigation. Before entering the practice of law, she worked for six years for U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (RMiss.). Ms. Bland is a member of both the District of Columbia and Mississippi Bar Associations. She also has extensive volunteer experience and is currently the PTA co-president of her child’s school and sits on the Board of the Pelham Art Center. Ms. Bland currently resides in Pelham, New York with her husband, R. Trabue Bland and their two sons.
Xiaoxu Sean Lin
President at SPU Optics IncSPU Optics Inc (SPU) is an early-stage company operated in Orange County, New York. SPU has the exclusive license of SpectroChip technology which was developed in Taiwan by SpectroChips Inc. With this breakthrough technologies, SPU provides high performance spectrometer-on-chip modules as core optical components to various optical instruments. Our SpectroChip/SPU devices can be designed for various spectral ranges, from UV to infrared, allowing for versatility in applications across different industries, including point-of-care testing, algae bloom detection, water quality in-situ sensing and monitoring, end-point detection in semiconductor industrial processing, etc. SPU aims to revolutionize spectral sensing and measurement, to empower individuals with rapid, accurate and decentralized testing for improved health and safety, to provide real-time in-situ precision measurement and monitoring for industrial production and environmental protection.
Patrick Nelson
Business Development Associate at SUNY RFPatrick F. Nelson is a registered US Patent Agent and Business Development Associate for the Research Foundation for SUNY. A former biotechnology entrepreneur and holder of a Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he is responsible for the management of the life science technology portfolio at the University at Albany.
Maria Pidgeon
Director of Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, and Industry Partnerships at University at AlbanyAs the Director of Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, and Industry Partnerships at the University at Albany, Maria provides leadership in the promotion of the university’s role in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship, research, and economic development. She is responsible for promotion of business outreach activities and partnerships, including regional economic development initiatives, and support of state and regional Economic Development relations.
Maria has led and promoted UAlbany entrepreneurship programs and services, including the UAlbany Innovation Center, UAlbany’s Incubator Program, the NSF I-Corps Program, Innovate 518 – The Capital Region Innovation Hot Spot, and Startup NY. She has worked collaboratively with regional and university partners and coordinated the implementation of the university’s innovation and entrepreneurship efforts in support of economic development initiatives and program development.
Nicholas Querques
Director of New Ventures at SUNY Research FoundationJUDGE PANEL
Nicholas Querques is Director of New Ventures at SUNY Research Foundation (RF). RF is the largest comprehensive university-connected research foundation in the country, administering $1+ billion in research expenditures annually throughout 64 campuses. Nick leads a growing portfolio of initiatives focused on promoting entrepreneurship and commercialization across the $1+ billion research enterprise, helping SUNY companies start strong and scale, and building partnerships with investors and development partners to get more SUNY technology into the market.
Prior to RF, Nick was Program Manager for Technology to Market at NYSERDA, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. In this role, Nick was directly responsible for a $130 million portfolio of innovation, technology development, and investment initiatives targeted to entrepreneurs, innovators, and early-stage companies in the energy space. Prior to NYSERDA, Nick was Assistant Vice President for Clean Energy Programs at the University at Albany’s College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering. In 2010, he co-founded MICROrganic Technologies, a biotechnology startup that is commercializing microbial fuel cell technologies for wastewater treatment applications.
Nick currently sits on the board of directors of the Upstate Capital Association of New York and the Long Island High Technology Incubator. He also serves on the advisory board of the Central New York Biotech Accelerator. Nick holds a BS in finance and management magna cum laude and an MBA in information technology and nanotechnology from the University at Albany.
Parthiban Rajasekaran, PhD
Innovation Lead at SanofiParthi is an innovation lead with Sanofi. In his role, he engages with early-stage innovators and entrepreneurs via a sponsored research framework where exceptional scientific ideas are groomed to become transformational medical products. The therapeutic areas of focus include but not limited to infectious diseases, chronic and auto-immune diseases. Parthi holds a PhD in infectious diseases and immunology from Virginia Tech and a BVSc (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) from Madras Veterinary College.
Kelly Reardon-Sleicher
Program Director for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programs of University at Albany, SUNYJUDGE PANEL
Kelly Reardon-Sleicher has dedicated more than a decade to helping nascent entrepreneurs develop the skills and knowledge necessary to explore the market potential of their business ideas. A connector with drive and creativity, she streamlines essential processes and builds relationships to promote growth and success in herself and others. Kelly co-founded a startup meetup that provides a platform for young companies to ask for a hand-up from a supportive community. Having coached hundreds of teams to pitch their businesses, she excels in teaching early-stage companies to hone their key messages for a variety of audiences. As a public speaker and instructor, Kelly can address numerous audience demographics proficiently. She is also a 2017 recipient of the Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 award.
Lucie Rochard, PhD
External Engagement Program Lead for R&D at SanofiLucie serves as the External Engagement Program Lead for R&D at Sanofi, where she plays a pivotal role in fostering alignment and collaboration between internal teams and external partners. Her focus is on enhancing engagement and accessibility for both prospective and current partners. In her capacity, Lucie spearheads various partnering initiatives with academic institutions, early-stage companies, and supporters in the initial stages of development. She brings experience and experiences from her prior position as part of the Industry Engagement Team at Boston University, and from her role at Massbio Innovation Services, where she played a key role in facilitating academic-industry partnerships. Lucie holds a PhD in developmental biology and human genetics from the University of Rennes, France.
Priyanka Shah
Associate Director, Life Sciences of Endless Frontiers Labs | Startup AcceleratorJUDGE PANEL
Priyanka is passionate about life sciences innovation and patients. She currently leads the life sciences portfolio at Endless Frontier Labs (EFL), a global accelerator program based in NYC. She brings 15+ years of industry experience across drug & product development, business development and corporate strategy. This includes focused experience commercializing new technologies and scaling businesses across medical device, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Priyanka holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business as well as an MS and BS in Biomedical Engineering (summa cum Laude graduate, top 1%) from Drexel University.
Scott Tenenbaum, PhD
CEO/President of sxRNA TechsxRNA Tech is a SUNY-Albany spin out specializing in making RNA-based therapeutics better. We do this by engineering customized RNA nanoswitches, which can make any RNA-drug become tissue specific. This patented approach permits targeted therapy with cellular precision and is being used to develop cancer, viral and senloytic drugs.
Alexis Weber
SupreMEtric LLC is developing the first universal, patented method for non-destructive, confirmatory identification of all main bodily fluids in biological evidence revealed at crime scenes for law enforcement and crime lab personnel.