Fairbanks Pharmaceuticals has been selected from a pool of over 100 applicants as one of 20 finalists in the 7th Annual M2D2 $200K Challenge.

M2D2 describes the challenge this way:

The $200K Challenge is a global competition for early-stage medical device and biotech innovations. The goal of the $200K Challenge is to identify the most promising innovations that will move the needle in healthcare.

On March 28, the finalists will make their pitches to a live audience and a panel of expert judges. Awards totaling up to $200,000 will be presented at a ceremony on April 10. Tickets for the events and a list of the finalists are available here.

Fairbanks Pharmaceuticals was awarded a pilot grant from the UMass Office of the President’s Science and Technology Fund to screen small molecules with the goal of identifying compounds that will promote the transdifferentiation of pancreatic alpha cells into insulin secreting beta cells.

This highly competitive funding program was created by UMass to stimulate the development of high impact therapeutic candidates. Proposals were selected based on assay feasibility, medical relevance, and commercialization potential.

Fairbanks Pharmaceuticals received a second award from the Massachusetts Life Science Center to hire a new technician intern starting in July 2016. Alyssa Berthelette, a 2016 graduate from Assumption College with a degree in Biology, was selected to replace Eddie Mesiti who departed July 31 to continue his education.  Welcome Aboard Alyssa!

Fairbanks Pharmaceuticals received an award from the Massachusetts Life Science Center to hire an intern starting in July 2015. Alfredo (Eddie) Mesiti, a 2014 graduate from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with an undergraduate degree in Microbiology, was selected to fill this role.

Eddie is currently completing a Masters Degree in Applied Molecular Biotechnology.  This internship will help him in his degree program while amplifying progress in pursuing our research agenda.  Welcome Aboard Eddie!