VerImmune Receives SBIR Phase II Award from the National Science Foundation
Seed funding from this award will be utilized to further the development of VerImmune's novel AIR technology platform
VerImmune, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II Award from America’s Seed Fund powered by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
The funds worth approximately $700,000 will further the development of VerImmune’s novel first-in-class broad spectrum cancer immunotherapy for solid tumors called “Anti-tumor Immune Redirection” (AIR). The AIR technology harnesses the body's own existing immune system against pathogens and childhood vaccines, and redirects it to fight cancer. Since 2011, only 41% of all NSF Phase I awardees have been awarded this highly competitive follow-on funding.
“In addition to building a world class team, together with experienced Board members and advisors earlier this year, these funds from the NSF are critical for the advancement of our AIR technology platform and its development as a new and much needed treatment opportunity for multiple solid tumor types” said VerImmune’s co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Joshua Wang, Ph.D.
Proof-of-concept efficacy studies under a previous SBIR Phase I award demonstrated that VerImmune’s technology platform was successful at targeting pre-existing Human Papillomavirus 16 and Human Cytomegalovirus cellular immune responses to non-virally associated tumors. The current award will support additional efficacy studies and initiate manufacturing process development in anticipation of filing an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the US FDA for clinical trials
About VerImmune
Located in Baltimore Maryland within the Johns Hopkin’s 1812 Fastforward incubator, VerImmune is an Immuno-Oncology company developing a first-in-class cancer therapy known as Anti-tumor Immune Redirection (AIR). The strategy utilizes a proprietary tumor-specific, tumor-type agnostic, virus-inspired platform termed Anti-tumor Immune Redirecting Virus-inspired Particles (AIR-ViP™) that redirects pre-existing pathogenic or childhood vaccine immune memory towards tumors. This unique mechanism of action allows differentiation within the competitive Immuno-Oncology market. Importantly, it potentially changes the treatment paradigm for many patients who have un-treatable cancers due to limited options or resistance. For more information visit: http://www.verimmune.com
About America's Seed Fund/ NSF SBIR Program:
America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF awards $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Startups working across almost all areas of science and technology can receive up to $1.75 million to support research and development (R&D), helping de-risk technology for commercial success. America’s Seed Fund is congressionally mandated through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The NSF is an independent federal agency with a budget of about $8.1 billion that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering.