STTR

Caeregen Therapeutics Receives $1.4 Million Phase 2 SBIR Grant from NIH/NEI to Advance Development of Regenerative Medicine Clinical Candidate CTR-107 (Noregen™) for Retinal Diseases

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 17, 2023

Caeregen is initially developing CTR-107 for the treatment of a rare inherited disorder of retinal blood vessel formation, Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR).

Key Points: 
  • Caeregen is initially developing CTR-107 for the treatment of a rare inherited disorder of retinal blood vessel formation, Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR).
  • “The NIH grant will support the nonclinical development program of CTR-107 and accelerate our investigational new drug (IND) submission to begin clinical trials," said Walter Capone, CEO of Caeregen Therapeutics.
  • Retinal disease is the leading cause of vision loss in developed countries and is the fastest growing cause of blindness globally.
  • When injected into the eye, CTR-107 may regenerate retinal blood vessels and neurons, restoring retinal function and counteracting vision loss due to FEVR and other retinal diseases.

America’s Seed Fund Road Tour Coming to the Midwest to Engage Small Businesses Working on High-Tech, High-Impact Ideas

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 11, 2023

America’s Seed Fund, comprised of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, supports next-generation research & development (R&D), providing over $4 billion each year in non-dilutive funding from 11 participating federal agencies.

Key Points: 
  • America’s Seed Fund, comprised of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, supports next-generation research & development (R&D), providing over $4 billion each year in non-dilutive funding from 11 participating federal agencies.
  • America’s Seed Fund Road Tour plays an important role in increasing engagement with innovation ecosystems across the country and building out inclusive networks to support the creation of small businesses focusing on high-impact research.
  • “America's Seed Fund Road Tour ensures that America’s Seed Fund is accessible to businesses in all parts of the country, promoting the development and commercialization of cutting-edge technologies that drive our innovation economy and global competitiveness."
  • Each Road Tour stop is hosted by SBA’s Federal And State Technology (FAST) Partners , who serve as navigators connecting entrepreneurs to America’s Seed Fund opportunities in their regions.

Phase Four Announces AFWERX Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) Award

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 10, 2023

HAWTHORNE, Calif., July 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Phase Four announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) contract in the amount of $4.26M focused on developing a Propellant Decomposition Chamber for propellant-agnostic electric propulsion to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now Phase Four will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

Key Points: 
  • HAWTHORNE, Calif., July 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Phase Four announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) contract in the amount of $4.26M focused on developing a Propellant Decomposition Chamber for propellant-agnostic electric propulsion to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).
  • The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution.
  • "We are proud of the Department of the Air Force's continued support and recognition of Phase Four's leadership in developing American-made satellite propulsion systems with high performance and propellant-agnostic capabilities," said Phase Four's Vice President of Advanced Development, Jason Wallace.
  • Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Trethera Receives Grant from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for the Advancement of TRE-515 in Lupus

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 27, 2023

The grant will fund Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling activities using TRE-515 to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease with significant morbidity and mortality.

Key Points: 
  • The grant will fund Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling activities using TRE-515 to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease with significant morbidity and mortality.
  • Trethera’s lead asset, TRE-515, is a first-in-class deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) inhibitor.
  • "The potential TRE-515 has to treat a broad spectrum of diseases creates a pipeline in a product that reduces overall development risk," said Dr. Ken Schultz, principal investigator and Trethera CEO.
  • “We are grateful that the NIH also recognizes this, providing $4.2M in overall grant funding since September for optic neuritis, solid tumors, and now lupus.

Mobius Logic Awarded U.S. Air Force SBIR Phase 2 Contract

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 21, 2023

TYSONS, Va., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Mobius Logic, Inc. announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase 2 in the amount of $1.25 Million USD focused on prototyping AI and Reinforcement Learning tools to cater to an asymmetric autonomous space fleet to augment the existing manned fleet through ongoing U.S. Space Force programs and fill capability gaps in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through a faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and losing bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering 'The Open Topic' SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and on February 3rd, 2023, Mobius Logic started its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

Key Points: 
  • AFWERX selects Mobius Logic for a Small Business Innovation Research Phase 2 contract for Space Vehicle Inspection: Safe Multiagent Coordination Using Reinforcement Learning for the U.S. Air Force.
  • TYSONS, Va., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Mobius Logic, Inc. announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase 2 in the amount of $1.25 Million USD focused on prototyping AI and Reinforcement Learning tools to cater to an asymmetric autonomous space fleet to augment the existing manned fleet through ongoing U.S. Space Force programs and fill capability gaps in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).
  • The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through a faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and losing bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution.
  • The DAF began offering 'The Open Topic' SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and on February 3rd, 2023, Mobius Logic started its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

ZE Government Solutions Announces Phase II SBIR Award from the Air Force to Develop Anomaly Detection on the Compressed Domain Interface

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 20, 2023

The integrated solution, LSVS, combines ZEGS' A.I.-based object detection video analytics with a low SWaP camera to proactively identify, track and respond in real-time to threats or potential threats such as objects of interest, adversary UASs, projectiles, or ground intrusions.

Key Points: 
  • The integrated solution, LSVS, combines ZEGS' A.I.-based object detection video analytics with a low SWaP camera to proactively identify, track and respond in real-time to threats or potential threats such as objects of interest, adversary UASs, projectiles, or ground intrusions.
  • The backpack-sized solution will enable forces to gain critical situational awareness with a multitude of capabilities including persistent horizontal Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and long range reconnaissance.
  • "There is always a risk when service members stop to set up camp or conduct other activities," said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes, parent company of ZEGS.
  • "Now they will be able to deploy our SWaP LSVS in minutes to help gain situational awareness and keep an eye out for threats while they concentrate on the job at hand."

ExLabs Awarded Space Force Orbital Prime Contract for Robotic Capture System

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 8, 2023

LONG BEACH, Calif., June 8, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Exploration Laboratories, ExLabs announces it has been selected by SpaceWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II SBIR contract in the amount of $1.7M, focused on Autonomous Capture and Acquisition to investigate its potential to fill capability gaps in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).

Key Points: 
  • LONG BEACH, Calif., June 8, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Exploration Laboratories, ExLabs announces it has been selected by SpaceWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II SBIR contract in the amount of $1.7M, focused on Autonomous Capture and Acquisition to investigate its potential to fill capability gaps in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).
  • The Air Force Research Laboratory and SpaceWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through a faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and losing bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution.
  • The DAF began offering 'The Open Topic' SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded, ExLabs will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

Jump Aero Electronic Parachute Improves eVTOL Failure Handling in Flight Test

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 7, 2023

In this Phase II effort, the performance of an adaptive/ML flight controller was flight tested against a static flight controller during in-flight failure scenarios to test the theory that the adaptive/ML controller could improve aircraft handling by preventing significant attitude deviation or altitude loss.

Key Points: 
  • In this Phase II effort, the performance of an adaptive/ML flight controller was flight tested against a static flight controller during in-flight failure scenarios to test the theory that the adaptive/ML controller could improve aircraft handling by preventing significant attitude deviation or altitude loss.
  • "The flight test data demonstrate the potential of our electronic parachute technology to improve aircraft response in the event of failures in flight.
  • Jump Aero is developing the JA1 Pulse eVTOL aircraft to help first responders get to the scene of an emergency as fast as possible.
  • Founded by experienced aviation entrepreneurs, Jump Aero will leverage electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft technology to cut rural emergency response times in half.

ZE Government Solutions Announces Phase II SBIR Award from the Air Force to Develop Object Detection on Thermal Camera Platforms

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 6, 2023

PHILADELPHIA, June 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Z E Government Solutions (ZEGS), a wholly owned subsidiary of A.I.-based gun detection leader ZeroEyes, today announced it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase II contract in the amount of $1.25M focused on ZeroEyes Thermal Threat Detection (ZTTD) to investigate its potential to fill capability gaps in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).

Key Points: 
  • PHILADELPHIA, June 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Z E Government Solutions (ZEGS), a wholly owned subsidiary of A.I.-based gun detection leader ZeroEyes, today announced it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase II contract in the amount of $1.25M focused on ZeroEyes Thermal Threat Detection (ZTTD) to investigate its potential to fill capability gaps in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).
  • The integrated solution, ZeroEyes Thermal Threat Detection (ZTTD), combines ZEGS' A.I.-based object detection video analytics with a commercially available thermal sensor UAS platform to proactively identify, track, and respond in real-time to imminent threats that are not visible to the human eye.
  • This will provide situational awareness in environments where traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) may be unavailable, such as a heavily camouflaged combative environment or an aerial threat flying within the walls of a base installation.
  • "The combination of our proactive A.I.-based gun detection solution, UAS technology, and advanced imagery detection creates a triple crown of security that will immediately alert airmen when a gun-related threat is present, any time of year, in any weather."

Sensydia Secures $3M NIH Grant to Advance AI-Based Cardiac Assessment Platform

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 5, 2023

Non-invasive cardiac diagnostic company Sensydia announced today that it was awarded a Fast-Track Small Business grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Key Points: 
  • Non-invasive cardiac diagnostic company Sensydia announced today that it was awarded a Fast-Track Small Business grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
  • Phase I of the grant proposal is budgeted for approximately $600,000 and Phase II for $2.4M, following successful completion of Phase I milestones.
  • This NIH award marks a significant milestone for Sensydia, a company committed to developing AI-based solutions for the diagnosis and management of cardiopulmonary diseases.
  • The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program of the NIH supports U.S.-owned small businesses with early-stage capital for creating innovative technologies to improve human health.