2451089
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
SBIR Phase I: Microneedle bandage for diabetic foot ulcers
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is an advanced wound care product that speeds healing of diabetic foot ulcers.
These ulcers afflict millions of Americans, causing pain, loss of mobility, amputations, and potentially life-threatening infections.
The average annual expenditure for diabetic foot care is $8,659 per patient resulting in cumulative costs of $9 to $13 billion in the United States alone.
Foot ulceration often progresses to chronic infection, osteitis, and severe gangrene, resulting in over 100,000 amputations per year.
The patented microneedle technology to be developed has significant commercial potential as a low-cost alternative for treating stalled wounds.
By rapidly clearing the infections that block proper wound healing, the product will garner significant market share based on its ability to speed healing.
The initial target market will generate approximately $4.2 million per year and is expected to accelerate rapidly when implemented nationwide.
This will further increase as the product is adopted into adjacent markets.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop an advanced wound care product that disinfects diabetic foot ulcers using a patented microneedle patch design that delivers three potent therapeutic agents, each of which participates in different aspects of wound healing.
These agents are time-released to further enhance their function.
Once the microneedle patch is applied to a recently debrided diabetic foot ulcer, a powerful antibiotic will be released to establish a bacterial killing zone in the dermal tissue of the wound.
A second agent will prevent the re-formation of a bacterial biofilm, and a third agent known as a chemokine will attract and activate white blood cells to rapidly clean up the infected area and kill any residual bacteria.
Once the microneedle tips dissolve, a channel will open which facilitates wound drainage.
Initial work will be performed using skin tissue cultures, followed by testing using diabetic pigs.
The microneedles are expected to kill the bacteria including Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).
It will also prevent any surviving bacteria from forming biofilms, and mop up any remaining bacteria by activating the innate immune system.
Once these wounds have been disinfected, the wound will resume normal healing over the ensuing weeks.
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 planned for this award.
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is an advanced wound care product that speeds healing of diabetic foot ulcers.
These ulcers afflict millions of Americans, causing pain, loss of mobility, amputations, and potentially life-threatening infections.
The average annual expenditure for diabetic foot care is $8,659 per patient resulting in cumulative costs of $9 to $13 billion in the United States alone.
Foot ulceration often progresses to chronic infection, osteitis, and severe gangrene, resulting in over 100,000 amputations per year.
The patented microneedle technology to be developed has significant commercial potential as a low-cost alternative for treating stalled wounds.
By rapidly clearing the infections that block proper wound healing, the product will garner significant market share based on its ability to speed healing.
The initial target market will generate approximately $4.2 million per year and is expected to accelerate rapidly when implemented nationwide.
This will further increase as the product is adopted into adjacent markets.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop an advanced wound care product that disinfects diabetic foot ulcers using a patented microneedle patch design that delivers three potent therapeutic agents, each of which participates in different aspects of wound healing.
These agents are time-released to further enhance their function.
Once the microneedle patch is applied to a recently debrided diabetic foot ulcer, a powerful antibiotic will be released to establish a bacterial killing zone in the dermal tissue of the wound.
A second agent will prevent the re-formation of a bacterial biofilm, and a third agent known as a chemokine will attract and activate white blood cells to rapidly clean up the infected area and kill any residual bacteria.
Once the microneedle tips dissolve, a channel will open which facilitates wound drainage.
Initial work will be performed using skin tissue cultures, followed by testing using diabetic pigs.
The microneedles are expected to kill the bacteria including Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).
It will also prevent any surviving bacteria from forming biofilms, and mop up any remaining bacteria by activating the innate immune system.
Once these wounds have been disinfected, the wound will resume normal healing over the ensuing weeks.
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 planned for this award.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "NSF SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH / SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PHASE I PROGRAMS", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF24579
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Storrs Mansfield,
Connecticut
06269-4213
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Therapeutic Bandage Products was awarded
Project Grant 2451089
worth $305,000
from National Science Foundation in April 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Storrs Mansfield Connecticut 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: Microneedle Bandage for Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is an advanced wound care product that speeds healing of diabetic foot ulcers. These ulcers afflict millions of Americans, causing pain, loss of mobility, amputations, and potentially life-threatening infections. The average annual expenditure for diabetic foot care is $8,659 per patient resulting in cumulative costs of $9 to $13 billion in the United States alone. Foot ulceration often progresses to chronic infection, osteitis, and severe gangrene, resulting in over 100,000 amputations per year. The patented microneedle technology to be developed has significant commercial potential as a low-cost alternative for treating stalled wounds. By rapidly clearing the infections that block proper wound healing, the product will garner significant market share based on its ability to speed healing. The initial target market will generate approximately $4.2 M per year and is expected to accelerate rapidly when implemented nationwide. This will further increase as the product is adopted into adjacent markets.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop an advanced wound care product that disinfects diabetic foot ulcers using a patented microneedle patch design that delivers three potent therapeutic agents, each of which participates in different aspects of wound healing. These agents are time-released to further enhance their function. Once the microneedle patch is applied to a recently debrided diabetic foot ulcer, a powerful antibiotic will be released to establish a bacterial killing zone in the dermal tissue of the wound. A second agent will prevent the re-formation of a bacterial biofilm, and a third agent known as a chemokine will attract and activate white blood cells to rapidly clean-up the infected area and kill any residual bacteria. Once the microneedle tips dissolve, a channel will open which facilitates wound drainage. Init
Topic Code
BM
Solicitation Number
NSF 24-579
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 4/4/25
Period of Performance
4/1/25
Start Date
3/31/26
End Date
Funding Split
$305.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$305.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2451089
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
PG5VB2XP8234
Awardee CAGE
8BX37
Performance District
CT-02
Senators
Richard Blumenthal
Christopher Murphy
Christopher Murphy
Modified: 4/4/25