Program helps biotech employees gain business skills to make companies successful
NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. (Feb. 8, 2012) – ContraFect Corp., a biotechnology company based in Yonkers, will participate in New York BioHud Valley’s “mini-MBA” program.
The program is part of a regional initiative to help employees of biotechnology firms develop business management skills and give the entire industry a boost throughout the Hudson Valley. ContraFect employees will enroll in a three-day program in June 2012 that offers their management-level scientists the opportunity to learn business skills.
“It is a natural fit for us,” said Robert C. Nowinski, Ph.D, founder of ContraFect. “The mini-MBA program provides our scientists an opportunity to learn about, and potentially cross-over into, the business-side of biotechnology. This will help us grow as a company and further enable our employees to advance the biotechnology industry in the Hudson Valley.”
“As New York’s Intellectual Capital, Westchester encourages companies to invest in their people as a way of developing and expanding their businesses,” said Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “By entering into public-private training partnerships with biotechnology firms such as ContraFect, we are helping them grow and create jobs in Westchester.”
The curriculum will be customized to fit the needs of the students, which will number approximately seven to 10 ContraFect employees. They will be taught economics, corporate strategy, finance, accounting and marketing.
“By working in a public/private partnership with ContraFect on employee training, we are helping the firm expand their knowledge base so they will in turn expand their workforce,” stated Laurence Gottlieb, Westchester County’s Director of Economic Development and NY BioHud Valley Co-Founder. “You do this by leveraging limited funds through targeted investments, rather than taking a shotgun approach; thereby, directly translating into private sector job growth.”
The program is funded through the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board and held at the Gateway Center at Westchester Community College. It is a unique partnership between a public agency and private industry with each party picking up 50 percent of the cost. David Buckner, a professor of organizational leadership and education at Columbia University, teaches the program.
Ann Rubenzahl, who oversees Westchester Community College’s Professional Development Center; its extension location at Yonkers Cross County; Mainstream, the Institute for Mature Adults; and is the liaison with the Westchester and Putnam One Stop Employment Centers, said the program is gaining momentum in its short time in existence. The Professional Development Center administers the program. The first mini-MBA program was in September for employees of Aureon Biosciences, Progenics Pharmaceuticals and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. “Scientists in the Hudson Valley really see this as an opportunity to quickly obtain the business skills they need to ensure the success of their enterprises,” he said.
About ContraFect
ContraFect Corporation is a biotechnology company pioneering the use of monoclonal antibodies and lysins to treat life-threatening infectious diseases. ContraFect’s initial products include agents to treat diseases such as MRSA (drug resistant staphylococcus bacteria), other serious bacterial infections, and influenza.
Our scientific approach is based on the following principles:
• Monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of life threatening bacterial and viral diseases
• Lysins for the treatment of drug-resistant gram positive bacteria, such as staphylococcus (MRSA), streptococcus and intestinal infections
• Transition from conventional monotherapy to a combinatorial approach using multi-therapy antibody and lysin treatments
• Address the growing challenge of drug resistance and therapy escape mechanisms used by pathogens
About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC)
HVEDC represents seven counties in Hudson Valley. This public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC also helped start the branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley. For more information on Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation or to review available business sites, visit www.hvedc.com or call CEO Mike Oates at 845-220-2244.
