UTICA — The Mohawk Valley (MV) Biotech Collective, formed by three of the region’s well-known institutions, seeks to position the Mohawk Valley as a leader in biomedical innovation. Representatives from the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI), SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), and Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) signed a memorandum of agreement to formally establish […]
UTICA — The Mohawk Valley (MV) Biotech Collective, formed by three of the region’s well-known institutions, seeks to position the Mohawk Valley as a leader in biomedical innovation.
Representatives from the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI), SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), and Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) signed a memorandum of agreement to formally establish the alliance, per the Nov. 19 announcement.
The MV Biotech Collective “unites the core strengths” of the three institutions: MMRI’s “foundational” scientific research, MVHS’s “critical clinical excellence” and SUNY Poly’s “advanced academic innovation,” the organizations contend.
“This signing is more than a formal agreement; it is the ignition point for a new era of scientific progress in New York State,” Maria Kontaridis, MMRI executive director, said. “By functioning as one unified team, we are able to accelerate scientific output, generate high-value IP, and drive economic development.”
Kontaridis is also the Gordon K. Moe professor and chair of biomedical research and translational medicine at MMRI.
Separately, the three organizations have been working on biotechnology projects within their own disciplines, MMRI said. The partnership will allow for easy cross-institutional collaboration, encouraging clinicians, scientists, faculty, and students to work together on shared projects.
“This collaboration represents an important step forward for our region and for the future of healthcare in the Mohawk Valley,” Dr. William LeCates, president and CEO of MVHS, said. “By combining the clinical resources of MVHS with the research strength of MMRI and the academic innovation of SUNY Poly, we seek new opportunities to translate discoveries into better care for our patients and our community.”
The MV Biotech Collective’s primary goal is to foster a “one team” approach, enabling joint grant applications and strengthening established lines of research. It will allow the organizations to focus on artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to “dramatically” accelerate the pace of discovery and create a biomedical hub in the region.
The Collective seeks to build entrepreneurship and innovation, supporting and growing new biomedical companies and “serving as a catalyst for regional economic growth,” MMRI said.
“This partnership reflects a shared vision and belief in what’s possible when education, research, and clinical practice come together,” Winston Soboyejo, Ph.D., president of SUNY Polytechnic Institute, said in the announcement. “Through the MV Biotech Collective, we are cultivating an environment where innovation thrives, students and researchers work side by side, and discoveries made here in Utica have an impact far beyond our region.”
The group has plans to start bringing the organizations together to form committees and create a three, five and 10-year strategic plan.
