2415711
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Sbir Phase I: Development of a novel platform for cost-efficient mRNA production in yeast.
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to develop a platform technology that manufactures high-quality messenger RNA (mRNA) at 1/10th the cost of current systems.
In vitro transcription (IVT), the primary method of synthesizing mRNA for therapeutics and vaccines, encounters significant challenges in the form of expensive patented raw materials, complex purification processes, and supply chain shortages.
There is an urgent need to fundamentally redesign mRNA production to accommodate the growing demand, enhance access to affordable, high-quality mRNA, and resolve supply chain issues.
This project aims to innovate mRNA production by transforming yeast cells into efficient mRNA factories and using advanced chromatographic techniques for purification.
The proposed platform could streamline mRNA manufacturing to significantly reduce costs and to broaden the scope, applicability, and accessibility of mRNA.
This innovation aims to provide pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and research institutions in academia, with affordable high-quality mRNA for vaccine development, therapeutics, and research purposes.
This democratization of mRNA technology should accelerate innovation across different fields, shorten time-to-market for new treatments, and expand mRNA applications in emerging markets.
Additionally, it may improve access for populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), significantly advancing global health.
The proposed project seeks to overcome high costs and inefficiencies associated with current IVT methods.
This project introduces a novel approach to mRNA production by overexpressing a ribozyme-mRNA fusion in yeast, which is then immobilized and precisely cleaved on-column upon addition of a specific substrate that activates the ribozyme.
This innovative method facilitates the efficient release and subsequent purification of the targeted mRNA directly from an RNA fusion construct expressed in yeast.
Key technical objectives include demonstrating stable expression of the target RNA fusion in yeast, establishing a robust on-column purification system, and validating the purity and potency of the purified mRNA.
Achieving these goals will validate the platform's feasibility and facilitate scaling of the technology to produce large quantities of mRNA, from grams to kilograms, at reduced costs, thereby revolutionizing mRNA production for diverse applications.
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.
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to develop a platform technology that manufactures high-quality messenger RNA (mRNA) at 1/10th the cost of current systems.
In vitro transcription (IVT), the primary method of synthesizing mRNA for therapeutics and vaccines, encounters significant challenges in the form of expensive patented raw materials, complex purification processes, and supply chain shortages.
There is an urgent need to fundamentally redesign mRNA production to accommodate the growing demand, enhance access to affordable, high-quality mRNA, and resolve supply chain issues.
This project aims to innovate mRNA production by transforming yeast cells into efficient mRNA factories and using advanced chromatographic techniques for purification.
The proposed platform could streamline mRNA manufacturing to significantly reduce costs and to broaden the scope, applicability, and accessibility of mRNA.
This innovation aims to provide pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and research institutions in academia, with affordable high-quality mRNA for vaccine development, therapeutics, and research purposes.
This democratization of mRNA technology should accelerate innovation across different fields, shorten time-to-market for new treatments, and expand mRNA applications in emerging markets.
Additionally, it may improve access for populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), significantly advancing global health.
The proposed project seeks to overcome high costs and inefficiencies associated with current IVT methods.
This project introduces a novel approach to mRNA production by overexpressing a ribozyme-mRNA fusion in yeast, which is then immobilized and precisely cleaved on-column upon addition of a specific substrate that activates the ribozyme.
This innovative method facilitates the efficient release and subsequent purification of the targeted mRNA directly from an RNA fusion construct expressed in yeast.
Key technical objectives include demonstrating stable expression of the target RNA fusion in yeast, establishing a robust on-column purification system, and validating the purity and potency of the purified mRNA.
Achieving these goals will validate the platform's feasibility and facilitate scaling of the technology to produce large quantities of mRNA, from grams to kilograms, at reduced costs, thereby revolutionizing mRNA production for diverse applications.
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
Oceanside,
California
92054-3809
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Cisterna Biologics was awarded
Project Grant 2415711
worth $274,980
from National Science Foundation in August 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Oceanside California 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: Development of a Novel Platform for Cost-Efficient mRNA Production in Yeast
Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to develop a platform technology that manufactures high-quality messenger RNA (mRNA) at 1/10th the cost of current systems. In Vitro Transcription (IVT), the primary method of synthesizing mRNA for therapeutics and vaccines, encounters significant challenges in the form of expensive patented raw materials, complex purification processes, and supply chain shortages. There is an urgent need to fundamentally redesign mRNA production to accommodate the growing demand, enhance access to affordable, high-quality mRNA, and resolve supply chain issues. This project aims to innovate mRNA production by transforming yeast cells into efficient mRNA factories and using advanced chromatographic techniques for purification. The proposed platform could streamline mRNA manufacturing to significantly reduce costs and to broaden the scope, applicability and accessibility of mRNA. This innovation aims to provide pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and research institutions in academia, with affordable high-quality mRNA for vaccine development, therapeutics, and research purposes. This democratization of mRNA technology should accelerate innovation across different fields, shorten time-to-market for new treatments, and expand mRNA applications in emerging markets. Additionally, it may improve access for populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), significantly advancing global health.
The proposed project seeks to overcome high costs and inefficiencies associated with current IVT methods. This project introduces a novel approach to mRNA production by overexpressing a ribozyme-mRNA fusion in yeast, which is then immobilized and precisely cleaved on-column upon addition of a specific substrate that activates the ribozyme. This innovative method facilitates the efficient release and subsequent purification of the targeted mRNA directly from an RNA fusion construct expressed in yeast. Key technical objectives include demonstrating stable expression of the target RNA fusion in yeast, establishing a robust on-column purification system, and validating the purity and potency of the purified mRNA. Achieving these goals will validate the platform's feasibility and facilitate scaling of the technology to produce large quantities of mRNA, from grams to kilograms, at reduced costs, thereby revolutionizing mRNA production for diverse applications.
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
PT
Solicitation Number
NSF 23-515
Status
(Complete)
Last Modified 8/27/24
Period of Performance
8/15/24
Start Date
7/31/25
End Date
Funding Split
$275.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$275.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2415711
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
VGCCUDX8F5P5
Awardee CAGE
9V2T6
Performance District
CA-49
Senators
Dianne Feinstein
Alejandro Padilla
Alejandro Padilla
Modified: 8/27/24