2321861
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
SBIR Phase I: Real-Time Allergen Detection Technology for Dietary Proteins Transferred to Human Milk - The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to provide the first test to determine the allergen content of human milk accurately, quickly, and cost-effectively.
As much as 25% of infants have reported allergic responses to dietary proteins found in human milk, which often results in breast/body feeding termination. Breast/body feeding is incredibly beneficial to health, and continuation of nursing is a human health issue. Studies indicate that human milk is superior to hypoallergenic formula, providing natural antibodies to fight illness, lowering the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, and reducing the probability of developing disorders such as diabetes and leukemia.
There is currently no at-home, real-time test for milk allergens on the market. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to develop a real-time at-home allergen detection test. This project lays the groundwork for providing the first mechanism to research early and often allergen introduction through human milk when the immune system has been shown to be susceptible to allergy reduction strategies.
The company's patent-pending technology has the potential to provide a tool to identify allergens quickly and cost-effectively, allowing parents to monitor the presence of likely allergen triggers. The test is performed by the user in real-time, in an at-home setting, which is a significant advantage over existing tests that require samples to be sent to a laboratory for labor and resource-intensive assays.
The lateral flow technology provides a rapid and easy-to-read result, allowing the user to quickly determine whether the milk contains specific non-human protein fragments which are also known to elicit allergic responses in some patients.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
As much as 25% of infants have reported allergic responses to dietary proteins found in human milk, which often results in breast/body feeding termination. Breast/body feeding is incredibly beneficial to health, and continuation of nursing is a human health issue. Studies indicate that human milk is superior to hypoallergenic formula, providing natural antibodies to fight illness, lowering the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, and reducing the probability of developing disorders such as diabetes and leukemia.
There is currently no at-home, real-time test for milk allergens on the market. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to develop a real-time at-home allergen detection test. This project lays the groundwork for providing the first mechanism to research early and often allergen introduction through human milk when the immune system has been shown to be susceptible to allergy reduction strategies.
The company's patent-pending technology has the potential to provide a tool to identify allergens quickly and cost-effectively, allowing parents to monitor the presence of likely allergen triggers. The test is performed by the user in real-time, in an at-home setting, which is a significant advantage over existing tests that require samples to be sent to a laboratory for labor and resource-intensive assays.
The lateral flow technology provides a rapid and easy-to-read result, allowing the user to quickly determine whether the milk contains specific non-human protein fragments which are also known to elicit allergic responses in some patients.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Awardee
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Research Triangle Park,
North Carolina
27709-0012
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
None
Free To Feed was awarded
Project Grant 2321861
worth $274,946
from National Science Foundation in August 2023 with work to be completed primarily in Research Triangle Park North Carolina United States.
The grant
has a duration of 1 year and
was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
SBIR Details
Research Type
SBIR Phase I
Title
SBIR Phase I: Real-Time Allergen Detection Technology for Dietary Proteins Transferred to Human Milk
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to provide the first test to determine the allergen content of human milk accurately, quickly, and cost-effectively. As much as 25% of infants have reported allergic responses to dietary proteins found in human milk which often results in breast/body feeding termination. Breast/body feeding is incredibly beneficial to health and continuation of nursing is a human health issue. Studies indicate that human milk is superior to hypoallergenic formula, providing natural antibodies to fight illness, lowering the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, and reducing the probability of developing disorders such as diabetes and leukemia. There is currently no at-home, real-time test for milk allergens on the market._x000D_ _x000D_ This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to develop a real-time at-home allergen detection test. This project lays the groundwork for providing the first mechanism to research early and often allergen introduction through human milk when the immune system has been shown to be susceptible to allergy reduction strategies. The company’s patent-pending technology has the potential to provide a tool to identify allergens quickly and cost-effectively, allowing parents to monitor the presence of likely allergen triggers. The test is performed by the user in a real-time, in an at-home setting, which is a significant advantage over existing tests that require samples to be sent to a laboratory for labor and resource-intensive assays. The lateral flow technology provides a rapid and easy-to-read result, allowing the user to quickly determine whether the milk contains specific non-human protein fragments which are also known to elicit allergic responses in some patients._x000D_ _x000D_ This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Topic Code
BM
Solicitation Number
NSF 23-515
Status
(Complete)
Last Modified 8/3/23
Period of Performance
8/1/23
Start Date
7/31/24
End Date
Funding Split
$274.9K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$274.9K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2321861
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
DCQASCJLJ7D9
Awardee CAGE
8FSZ8
Performance District
NC-04
Senators
Thom Tillis
Ted Budd
Ted Budd
Budget Funding
| Federal Account | Budget Subfunction | Object Class | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research and Related Activities, National Science Foundation (049-0100) | General science and basic research | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $274,946 | 100% |
Modified: 8/3/23