WESTCHESTER COUNTY BIOSCIENCES UPDATE
Featuring news, events and industry trends
Compassionate Use Case Study Demonstrating the Potential of Investigational Direct Lytic Agent Exebacase to Treat MRSA in Pediatric Populations Published in Clinical Infectious Diseases

Yonkers headquartered, ContraFect Corporation, a late clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of direct lytic agents (DLAs), including lysins and amurin peptides, as new medical modalities for the treatment of life-threatening, antibiotic-resistant infections, announced the recent publication of a case study report highlighting the potential of its first investigational direct lytic agent, Exebacase, to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia in a pediatric population. The case report was published in the peer-reviewed Clinical Infectious Diseases, a journal of the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA).

A previously healthy 5-month-old infant after full evaluation at Duke University Hospital was confirmed with a life-threatening MRSA infection and multi-organ involvement -- the patient could not clear the bacteremia with SOC antibiotics alone. The physician obtained authorization under an emergency individual patient IND application to treat the patient. This is a very motivating pediatric case; future clinical trials are planned to confirm dosing and efficacy in this population.

Opportunities with ContraFect

There are several job openings with ContraFect offering a terrific opportunity to grow in an environment that is both challenging and energetic. ContraFect is seeking self-motivated and collaborative individuals to join the team and to contribute their talent and expertise. Check out the ContraFect careers site for the latest available opportunities.

Director, Program Management (Remote) This position is responsible for the operational execution for ContraFect’s Early Discovery and CMC programs. The incumbent must have prior drug development experience (preferably with biologics) and ensure seamless integration of operational activities and scientific imperatives to make certain execution, scientific excellence and delivery of programs are within time, cost and quality parameters.

Associate Director, Toxicology (Remote) Seeking an experienced toxicologist to provide support for conducting toxicology studies at CROs.
Sapience Therapeutics Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for ST101 for Advanced Cutaneous Melanoma

Harrison-based, Sapience Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of peptide therapeutics to address difficult-to-treat cancers, announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track Designation (FTD) to its lead program, investigating ST101 for the treatment of advanced cutaneous melanoma in patients who have disease progression on or after anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 therapy. This is the second FTD designation received for the ST101 program, following FTD for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM), announced in early December 2021.

Fast Track designation enables more frequent interactions with the FDA to expedite the development and review process for drugs intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions that demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs.

Sapience Therapeutics Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 2 Clinical Trial of ST101


The expansion cohorts in the study include patients with refractory, locally advanced and metastatic cutaneous melanoma, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer, castrate-resistant prostate cancer, and GBM, and are designed to determine proof-of-concept efficacy of ST101 and provide further insights into safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). 
Nutrition21's Nitrosigine may boost cognitive performance in healthy adults: Study
 

Results showed that those taking the supplement saw significantly improved Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and immediate memory scores by 11% and 27%, respectively, compared to placebo. Nitrosigine has been linked to increased nitric oxide availability, which is associated with enhanced vasodilation, blood flow, exercise performance, and mental acuity.
BASF Achieves Leadership Status in CDP Rating 2021

The non-profit organization CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) has again ranked BASF as one of the world’s leading companies for its water management and forest and climate protection measures. BASF achieved an A- rating in all three categories.

With presence in Tarrytown, BASF is introducing sustainable water management at all relevant production sites by 2030. BASF is aware of the importance of protecting forests for the well-being of the environment and society. As a player in various value chains, BASF is committed to ending deforestation in these supply chains.
Regeneron to Present at 40th Annual
J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN), with headquarters in Tarrytown, will webcast its presentation at the 40th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on
Monday, January 10, 2022. The presentation is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time and may be accessed from the "Investors & Media" page of Regeneron's website at http://investor.regeneron.com/events-and-presentations. An archived version of the presentation will be available for at least 30 days.
Central New York Biotech Accelerator Now Accepting Applications for 2022 Medical Device Innovation Challenge

The CNYBAC Medical Device Innovation Challenge is a 6-month intensive mentorship / network expansion / resource rich program for early stage innovators. This highly competitive program accepts 5-6 teams each year to participate. To date, 26 teams have graduated from the program and have amassed milestone achievements during and following their participation. The MDIC serves as a complement and a pipeline to other incubation/acceleration programs. 

Applications are accepted January 1 through April 30 each year and are reviewed through a due diligence process performed by The Innovation Law Center, Syracuse University. Participants are selected by the MDIC Review Committee - interviews may be convened to assist in team selection. The program starts August 1 (some teams receive early commercialization research in advance of program start). You may participate virtually or on-site. If on-site, you receive 6-months of free work space in the CNYBC Creation Garage, 841 E. Fayette St., Syracuse, NY. All selected teams can utilize this facility at any point in time during the program.  
EVENTS
SBIR/STTR Workshops on January 12 and January 19

CTNext, in collaboration with BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting (BBCetc), is offering two virtual in-depth SBIR/STTR workshops on Wednesday, January 12, and Wednesday, January 19.

The first workshop will focus on submitting proposals through the National Institutes of Health, and the second will be tailored to the Department of Defense. Both programs will be led by SBIR/STTR experts from BBCetc and provide guidance on meeting unique requirements and avoiding common pitfalls.

If you are interested in joining either or both online workshops to explore SBIR/STTR’s federal nondilutive funding mechanism, please register below. A full agenda, topic overview and information on the presenters is linked in the registration form.

SBIR/STTR – NIH Workshop
Wednesday, January 12
10:30 AM to 3:30 PM

SBIR/STTR – DOD Workshop
Wednesday, January 19
10:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Webinar: Taking Your Pitch from Good to Great

Join Brand Strategist Mary Tan on January 12 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM to learn how to craft the right message and deliver your pitch with power. Presented by the New York Women's Chamber of Commerce, SCORE New York City and the Harlem Business Alliance.
WCBA Alum, JelikaLite, to Pitch on January 25

Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator alumnus JelikaLite is among four pitch teams participating in the CNY Biotech Accelerator Medical Device Innovation Challenge Virtual Pitch Event on January 25 from 1:00 - 3:45 PM. We hope you will tune in!

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