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2335292

Project Grant

Overview

Grant Description
SBIR Phase I: Research and development of a multi-mode instrument for cancer diagnosis and treatment in companion animals.

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a novel therapeutic approach for detecting and treating cancer in companion animals.

The project aims to develop a medical instrument that, when utilized with a novel proprietary molecular therapeutic compound, will visualize, target, and effectively eliminate cancerous cells.

The system aims to become a standard approach for the $3B companion pet cancer diagnostics and treatment annual market and create a new diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a low-cost instrument for use in standard veterinary clinics that will visualize and monitor the delivery and effectiveness of the photosensitive compound molecule silicon naphthalocyanine nanoparticle (SINC-NP), for targeting and eliminating cancer cells in an animal model.

Preliminary in vitro evidence indicates SINC-NP differentiates cancerous tissue from non-cancerous, and can identify and kill the cancerous tissue upon an evoked response.

This project proposes to yield a cost-effective, manufacturable, and robust multimodal instrument enabling veterinarians to utilize SINC-NP as a cancer treatment in a standard clinic.

The technology development to be completed during this phase includes integration of light optics, mechanical and electronics design, and software engineering to develop an instrument capable of imaging both the visible spectrum (400-700nm) and near infrared (~800nm) and present the user with an integrated and aligned single video stream that differentiates cancerous and non-cancerous tissues.

The instrument also directs high intensity radiation onto the SINC-enabled cancerous tissue and measures the tissue temperature to indicate when the temperature has exceeded the targeted temperature (5-50°C) for the minimum duration (~>10 minutes) sufficient for killing the cancerous tissue.

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.

Subawards are not planned for this award.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "NSF SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR)/ SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAMS PHASE I", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF23515
Place of Performance
Portland, Oregon 97212-5324 United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Therafluor was awarded Project Grant 2335292 worth $274,999 from in July 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Portland Oregon United States. The grant has a duration of 1 year and was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships. The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Programs.

SBIR Details

Research Type
SBIR Phase I
Title
SBIR Phase I: Research and Development of a Multi-mode Instrument for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in Companion Animals
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a novel therapeutic approach for detecting and treating cancer in companion animals. The project aims to develop a medical instrument when utilized with a novel proprietary molecular therapeutic compound, will visualize, target and effectively eliminate cancerous cells. The system aims to become a standard approach for the $3B companion pet cancer diagnostics and treatment annual market and create a new diagnostic and therapeutic approach. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a low-cost instrument for use in standard veterinary clinics that will visualize and monitor the delivery and effectiveness of the photosensitive compound molecule silicon naphthalocyanine nanoparticle (SiNc-NP), for targeting and eliminating cancer cells in an animal model. Preliminary invitro evidence indicates SiNc-NP differentiates cancerous tissue from non-cancerous, and can identify and kill the cancerous tissue upon an evoked response. This project proposes to yield a cost effective, manufacturable and robust multimodal instrument enabling veterinarians to utilize SiNc-NP as a cancer treatment in a standard clinic. The technology development to be completed during this phase includes integration of light optics, mechanical and electronics design, and software engineering to develop an instrument capable of imaging both the visible spectrum (400-700nm) and near infrared (~800nm) and present the user with an integrated and aligned single video stream that differentiates cancerous and non-cancerous tissues. The instrument also directs high intensity radiation onto the SiNc-enabled cancerous tissue and measure the tissue temperature to indicate when the temperature and exceeded the targeted temperature (5-50C) for the minimum duration (~>10 minutes) sufficient for killing the cancerous tissue. 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
MD
Solicitation Number
NSF 23-515

Status
(Complete)

Last Modified 5/19/25

Period of Performance
7/15/24
Start Date
6/30/25
End Date
100% Complete

Funding Split
$275.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$275.0K
Total Obligated
100.0% Federal Funding
0.0% Non-Federal Funding

Activity Timeline

Interactive chart of timeline of amendments to 2335292

Transaction History

Modifications to 2335292

Additional Detail

Award ID FAIN
2335292
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
K6V4ZGAMJJC7
Awardee CAGE
8GEK0
Performance District
OR-03
Senators
Jeff Merkley
Ron Wyden
Modified: 5/19/25