N.C. Biotech Center awards 31 grants, loans totaling nearly $2.8M | WRAL TechWire
N.C. Biotech Center awards 31 grants, loans totaling nearly $2.8M WRAL TechWire
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North Carolina Biotechnology Center Awards Grants and Loans to Support Bioscience Research and Entrepreneurship
The North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBiotech) has recently awarded 31 grants and loans totaling $2,764,811 to universities, life sciences companies, and non-profit organizations in the fourth quarter of its fiscal year. These awards, made in April, May, and June, aim to support bioscience research, technology commercialization, and entrepreneurship throughout North Carolina. The funding provided by NCBiotech will also help these universities and companies attract follow-on funding from other sources.
Company Loans
Four life sciences companies have received loans totaling $1.25 million to advance their research, product development, commercial viability, and funding efforts. These loans include:
- FreeFlow Medical Devices of Durham received a $500,000 Strategic Growth Loan to develop a hemodialysis catheter with a proprietary coating to reduce clotting, clogging, and infection.
- Helixomer of Raleigh received $250,000 to advance a novel RNA-based anticoagulant therapy with reversal agents for intravenous use in human healthcare.
- Sonokine Biosciences of Chapel Hill received $100,000 to develop a catheter that enhances drug delivery for the treatment of primary and metastatic cancers.
- Upstream Biotechnology of Durham received $200,000 to demonstrate a gene-expression system in plants that responds to pathogen signals to release anti-microbial proteins only when needed.
- Raleigh Biosciences of Raleigh received $200,000 to develop a platform that optimizes gene expression and transformation of elite plant germplasm using artificial intelligence, single-cell analysis, and spatial transcriptomics.
Portfolio Companies Raise $44.7 Million
In the fourth quarter, seventeen life sciences companies that previously received loans from NCBiotech raised $44.7 million in follow-on funding from other sources. Notably, Contego Medical of Raleigh raised $23 million in venture capital funding for the development of novel medical devices for cardiovascular and peripheral vascular procedures.
Partnership Development Grants
Transylvania County received a $40,000 Partnership Development Grant to support Raybow Pharmaceutical’s expansion in Brevard. The funds will be used to support two summer interns and purchase 50 seats for the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates’ chemical manufacturing training (ChemOps) over two years.
University Grants
Seven universities were awarded 19 grants totaling $1,443,323 to advance bioscience research. These grants include:
- East Carolina University (ECU) received $27,500 to identify bioactive peptides with regenerative capabilities to promote scarless remodeling in adult tissues.
- North Carolina State University (NC State) received $20,000 to develop a novel method for transgene-free gene editing of tomatoes.
- NC State received $17,038 to develop a sensor technology system that can continuously measure water uptake and apple tree growth throughout the growing season.
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) received $20,000 to develop a clinically useful assay for personalized treatment decisions for patients with head and neck cancers positive for the human papillomavirus.
- The University of North Carolina Charlotte received $27,500 to compare salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive genotypes of sand beans.
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington received $27,490 to evaluate the use of Salicornia virginica as an alternative protein source in a sustainable aquafeed for black sea bass.
- Wake Forest University received $27,500 to develop a new way of treating Gram-positive bacterial infections.
- Wake Forest received $26,000 to identify specific and essential biochemical reactions in bacteria that can be targeted for novel antibiotic development.
Biotechnology Event Sponsorships
Two universities and two non-profit organizations received Biotechnology Event Sponsorships, which provide up to $3,000 to support life sciences-focused events held primarily for a North Carolina audience. These sponsorships include:
- ECU received $3,000 for the 4th Annual ECU Spring Pharma Conference.
- UNC-CH received $3,000 for the 17th Annual Biomedical Engineering Symposium.
- The North Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents received $3,000 for its 2023 Professional Improvement Conference.
- Science Happens 4 Me received $2,488 for the Fun with Forensics science camp.
Biotechnology Meeting Grants
One university and one non-profit organization received Biotechnology Meeting Grants, which provide up to $10,000 to support national and international life sciences-focused meetings held in North Carolina. These grants include:
The North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research received $10,000 for the conference The Three I’s (IACUC, IBC & IRB): Biosecurity & Research Integrity.
Wake Forest University Health Sciences received $10,000 for the 10th Annual Regenerative Medicine Essentials Course and World Stem Cell Summit.
(C) N.C. Biotech Center
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Identified in the Article
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | – Funding awarded to companies developing medical devices and therapies for various health conditions – Funding awarded to universities for bioscience research |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university | – Funding awarded to universities for bioscience research |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labor-intensive sectors | – Funding awarded to companies for research, product development, and commercial viability |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending | – Funding awarded to companies for research, product development, and commercial viability – Funding awarded to universities for bioscience research |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources | – Funding awarded to universities, companies, and non-profit organizations through partnerships with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
This SDG is addressed through the funding awarded to companies developing medical devices and therapies for various health conditions.
SDG 4: Quality Education
This SDG is connected to the article through the funding awarded to universities for bioscience research, which contributes to quality education in the field of biosciences.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
This SDG is addressed through the funding awarded to companies for research, product development, and commercial viability, which supports economic growth and job creation in the life sciences sector.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
This SDG is connected to the article through the funding awarded to companies for research, product development, and commercial viability, as well as the funding awarded to universities for bioscience research. These initiatives contribute to enhancing scientific research, technological capabilities, and innovation in the industry.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
This SDG is addressed through the partnerships between the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and universities, companies, and non-profit organizations, which mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources to support sustainable development.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
The funding awarded to companies developing medical devices and therapies for various health conditions contributes to the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases, ultimately aiming to reduce premature mortality.
Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university
The funding awarded to universities for bioscience research supports the advancement of quality education in the field of biosciences, contributing to equal access to tertiary education.
Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labor-intensive sectors
The funding awarded to companies for research, product development, and commercial viability supports economic productivity and innovation in the life sciences sector.
Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending
The funding awarded to companies for research, product development, and commercial viability, as well as the funding awarded to universities for bioscience research, contribute to enhancing scientific research and technological capabilities in the industrial sector.
Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources
The partnerships between the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and universities, companies, and non-profit organizations exemplify the enhancement of global partnerships for sustainable development, mobilizing and sharing knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
– The funding awarded to companies developing medical devices and therapies can be an indicator of progress towards reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (Target 3.4).
– The funding awarded to universities for bioscience research can be an indicator of progress towards ensuring equal access to quality education (Target 4.3) and enhancing scientific research and technological capabilities (Target 9.5).
– The funding awarded to companies for research, product development, and commercial viability can be an indicator of progress towards achieving higher levels of economic productivity (Target 8.2) and enhancing scientific research and technological capabilities (Target 9.5).
– The partnerships between the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and universities, companies, and non-profit organizations can be an indicator of progress towards enhancing the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.16).
Overall, the funding awarded and partnerships established in the article demonstrate progress towards the identified targets under the relevant SDGs.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: wraltechwire.com
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