2409808
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Sbir phase I: Equanta's next-gen STI diagnostic device: unveiling the power of graphene-based -the broader impact of this small business innovation research (SBIR) phase I project is to provide rapid, effective, affordable, non-invasive, and easy-to-use diagnosis of viral and non-viral sexually transmitted infections (STI), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis C, and trichomoniasis.
STI are estimated to be present in one out of five people in the U.S. and the estimated direct medical cost associated to their treatment is approximately $16B. While early diagnosis will ultimately contribute to better public health outcomes and economy, the principal barrier in seeking a diagnosis is the lack of available health services, cost, long clinic waiting times, invasive sample collection methods and the negative social stigma associated with looking for STI testing.
This project will develop an affordable and point-of-care diagnostic device for STI, that will not only reduce diagnostic time but also lower healthcare costs. This small business innovation research (SBIR) phase I project advances an innovative STI diagnostic device. This project leverages self-assembled chemistry to form tailored cavities, which are sensitive and selective to the biomarkers of interest.
The project aims to validate preliminary studies indicating the device's capability to detect viruses, opioids, and biomarkers for STI diseases, enabling early disease diagnosis and quantification of viral or bacterial loads in exhaled breath or urine. Phase I of this project will be focused on the fabrication of a device composed of an array of sensors to detect biomarkers of viral and non-viral STIs with high selectivity and sensitivity from day one of contagion. Detection of hepatitis C, HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis biomarkers from cervical mucus discharge/swabs will be evaluated.
Additionally, user testing on a clinical research environment will be undertaken at Ragon Institute. 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.
STI are estimated to be present in one out of five people in the U.S. and the estimated direct medical cost associated to their treatment is approximately $16B. While early diagnosis will ultimately contribute to better public health outcomes and economy, the principal barrier in seeking a diagnosis is the lack of available health services, cost, long clinic waiting times, invasive sample collection methods and the negative social stigma associated with looking for STI testing.
This project will develop an affordable and point-of-care diagnostic device for STI, that will not only reduce diagnostic time but also lower healthcare costs. This small business innovation research (SBIR) phase I project advances an innovative STI diagnostic device. This project leverages self-assembled chemistry to form tailored cavities, which are sensitive and selective to the biomarkers of interest.
The project aims to validate preliminary studies indicating the device's capability to detect viruses, opioids, and biomarkers for STI diseases, enabling early disease diagnosis and quantification of viral or bacterial loads in exhaled breath or urine. Phase I of this project will be focused on the fabrication of a device composed of an array of sensors to detect biomarkers of viral and non-viral STIs with high selectivity and sensitivity from day one of contagion. Detection of hepatitis C, HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis biomarkers from cervical mucus discharge/swabs will be evaluated.
Additionally, user testing on a clinical research environment will be undertaken at Ragon Institute. 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
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Brighton,
Massachusetts
02135-3954
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Quarksen was awarded
Project Grant 2409808
worth $275,000
from National Science Foundation in July 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Brighton Massachusetts 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: eQuanta's Next-Gen STI Diagnostic Device: Unveiling the Power of Graphene-Based
Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to provide rapid, effective, affordable, non-invasive, and easy-to-use diagnosis of viral and non-viral sexually transmitted infections (STI), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis C, and trichomoniasis. STI are estimated to be present in one out of five people in the U.S. and the estimated direct medical cost associated to their treatment is approximately $16B. While early diagnosis will ultimately contribute to better public health outcomes and economy, the principal barrier in seeking a diagnosis is the lack of available health services, cost, long clinic waiting times, invasive sample collection methods and the negative social stigma associated with looking for STI testing. This project will develop an affordable and point-of-care diagnostic device for STI, that will not only reduce diagnostic time but also lower healthcare costs.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project advances an innovative STI diagnostic device. This project leverages self-assembled chemistry to form tailored cavities, which are sensitive and selective to the biomarkers of interest. The project aims to validate preliminary studies indicating the device's capability to detect viruses, opioids, and biomarkers for STI diseases, enabling early disease diagnosis and quantification of viral or bacterial loads in exhaled breath or urine. Phase I of this project will be focused on the fabrication of a device composed of an array of sensors to detect biomarkers of viral and non-viral STIs with high selectivity and sensitivity from day one of contagion. Detection of hepatitis C, HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis biomarkers from cervical mucus discharge/swabs will be evaluated. Additionally, user testing on a clinical research environment will be undertaken at Ragon Institute.
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 7/8/24
Period of Performance
7/1/24
Start Date
6/30/25
End Date
Funding Split
$275.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$275.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2409808
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
R2XKUC52Q7N5
Awardee CAGE
9Q8R1
Performance District
MA-07
Senators
Edward Markey
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren
Modified: 7/8/24