HOUGHTON — StabiLux Biosciences, a company founded by Michigan Technological University physics professor Yoke Khin Yap, has recently been awarded more than $650,000.
The funds are from America’s Seed Fund, powered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program, and the Invest Michigan’s University Commercialization Fund (UCF).
StabiLux Biosciences produces high-brightness fluorophores, chemical compounds that can re-emit light under light excitement. They’re used in multi-color flow cytometry, a laser-based fluorescence technique for medical diagnostics and analysis.
StabiLux was awarded a $600,000 grant from NSF-STTR phase II to commercialize the technology by conducting research and development for biomedical applications.
The Invest Michigan UCF provides funding to early-stage companies for the commercialization of technologies originating from Michigan’s 15 public universities.
Yap says the new funding will help the technology become more mature, making StabiLux a more attractive strategic partner.
Yap also noted prior support from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization Program Technology Transfer Network, the Michigan Emerging Technologies Fund, the Business Accelerator Fund. and the Small Company Innovation Program/Technology and Commercialization Assistance program.
“The StabiLux startup path supports Michigan Tech’s commercialization strategy that emphasizes milestone-based development and customer discovery as the new go-to model for successfully commercializing University research discoveries,” he said.
The UCF, MTRAC, T3N, BAF and SCIPTAC programs are funded by the Michigan Strategic Fund with program oversight by the MEDC. America’s Seed Fund, powered by the NSF, provides funding for research and development, helping small businesses move innovations out of the lab and into the marketplace and transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact.
The business development of StabiLux is supported by Steve Tokarz, current CEO-in-residence, and a seasoned entrepreneur working as a mentor-in-residence through Michigan Tech’s Office of Innovation and Industry Engagement. Nazmiye Yapici, former Michigan Tech graduate student in chemistry, serves as principal chemist and leads product development. Jon Leinonen from Michigan Tech’s School of Business and Economics provides business development expertise based on his past experience with finance, startups and technical incubators.
StabiLux Biosciences will commercialize their high-brightness fluorophores under the registered trademark of NovoLux.