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Companies with links to Upstate Medical University win $200K

Biotech accelerator talks grants and growth

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- Three small companies with links to Upstate Medical University will receive $200,000 to accelerate the research and development of new products.

The funding comes from the CenterStateCEO’s Grants for Growth program that supports innovative and applied research projects between universities and industry. The funding is provided by the New York State Senate, through the support of local state Sen. John DeFrancisco.

Receiving a $150,000 grant is Rapid Cure Technologies, a SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry spin-off company that is based in the Central New York Biotech Accelerator on the Upstate campus.

Rapid Cure develops specific chemistry and process solutions in the coating, adhesive, sealant and elastomer (CASE) markets. The company has developed and commercialized energy efficient and environmentally friendly plural component (2K), Ultraviolet light (UV), and electron beam (EB) curable chemistries for various manufacturers.

Winners of $25,000 grants are Upstate spin-offs Blue Highway and Zinnia Safety Systems.

Blue Highway Inc., in collaboration with the Upstate Cancer Center, is developing a system to manage the care of cancer survivors once they return to their primary care physicians. Work on the project is being assisted by Leslie J. Kohman, Upstate professor and medical director of the Upstate Cancer Center; and Linda J. Veit,project manager for the Upstate Cancer Center.

Zinnia Safety Systems, based in the CNY Biotech Accelerator, is developing a technology that will be the first medical device system development for monitoring individuals at risk for suicide. Used by hospitals and penal institutions, the system would promptly identify serious suicide attempts and notify staff to intervene before the person is seriously injured. Andrew Kaufman, MD, and James Knoll IV, MD, both on the faculty of Upstate’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, are the system developers.  Zinnia Safety Systems received a $50,000 SUNY Research Foundation Technology Accelerator Fund grant last year.

In total, more than $398,000 was awarded six companies.  Area economic development officials joined DeFrancisco, CenterState CEO and Upstate officials for the announcement, which was held at the CNY Biotech Accelerator May 31.

Caption: New York state Sen. John DeFrancisco speaks at ceremony on the Upstate campus announcing grants that support university and industry collaborations.

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