News
Why a global health organization just placed a $10M bet on Buffalo
Overview
A University at Buffalo startup developing next-generation vaccine technology has secured up to $9.7 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, recognition that its platform could play an important role in the rapid deployment of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases.
The non-dilutive funding marks a significant milestone for POP Biotechnologies, positioning the Buffalo company to advance its technology into human clinical trials after years of research, development and partnership-building.
“This project brings us into an entirely new phase,” CEO Jonathan Lovell said. “We’re leading development of a vaccine candidate in the U.S. while testing what SNAP could make possible for future outbreak response.”
The Big Picture
For POP Bio, the award represents more than a research contract. Very few university spinouts successfully advance vaccine technologies into human clinical testing, a process that requires years of scientific validation, regulatory preparation and capital investment. “People do a double take when they see what’s happening (in Buffalo, New York)”, Lovell said. “We’re demonstrating that companies developing advanced vaccine technologies can succeed in Buffalo as well.”
