Nanomedicine startup Eascra Biotech has been awarded a $100,000 Stage I SBIR Targeted Technologies (START) grant to advance its innovative non-lipid nanoparticle delivery platform. The funding, provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and managed by MassVentures, will support the company's work on Janus Base Nanoparticles (JBNps), which show superior capabilities in delivering therapeutics to hard-to-treat tissues.
"With this funding and strategic support from the START program, we can accelerate our path to commercialization and continue building a company that contributes to economic growth in Massachusetts," said Mari Anne Snow, cofounder and CEO of Eascra Biotech.
The START program is designed to help startups transform research developed under Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contracts into viable businesses within Massachusetts. Beyond financial support ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 in non-dilutive funding, the program provides crucial business guidance including investor introductions, pitch coaching, and mentorship.
Pioneering Space-Based Nanoparticle Production
This latest grant builds upon Eascra's groundbreaking work utilizing microgravity to accelerate the development of their JBNp products. The company recently completed its fifth mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in less than two years, establishing itself as the first commercial entity to produce nanoparticles in space for medical applications on Earth.
The company has demonstrated significant momentum in securing funding, having recently received grants from both the National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR program and AFWERX SBIR. Prior to these awards, Eascra had already secured more than $4.5 million in grants and awards. The company has also expanded its physical footprint by opening its first commercial laboratory in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Charlie Hipwood, President and CEO of MassVentures, emphasized the program's purpose: "The START program is intended to help convert research and early-stage ideas into businesses and jobs in the Commonwealth."
Revolutionary Nanoparticle Technology
Eascra's JBNp technology was pioneered by company co-founder Dr. Yupeng Chen, a professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Connecticut. The technology represents a significant advancement in the delivery of RNA therapeutics to tissues that have traditionally been difficult to penetrate, such as articular cartilage and solid tumors.
What sets these proprietary nanoparticles apart is their versatility and remarkable stability properties. Unlike conventional delivery systems, JBNps can maintain fragile cargos such as mRNA at room temperature for extended periods, effectively eliminating the cold chain requirements that have been a significant hurdle in the deployment of RNA-based therapeutics.
The nanoparticles' design mimics DNA structure and can be customized for different treatment indications, offering a flexible platform for addressing various medical challenges. This adaptability positions Eascra's technology as potentially valuable across multiple therapeutic areas.
Future Directions and Partnerships
Eascra Biotech is actively pursuing commercial partnerships with companies seeking innovative delivery mechanisms for their therapeutics. By collaborating with NASA, the ISS National Laboratory, and various private space companies, Eascra is implementing an accelerated go-to-market strategy that leverages the unique advantages of microgravity research.
The company's focus on hard-to-reach treatment sites addresses significant unmet needs in drug delivery, particularly for conditions affecting cartilage, kidneys, and solid tumors. By improving the delivery of nucleotides, gene editing tools, and other therapeutics to these challenging anatomical locations, Eascra aims to enhance treatment outcomes for patients with conditions that have traditionally been difficult to address effectively.
As the company continues to develop its technology and expand its operations in Massachusetts, this latest funding represents an important step toward bringing its innovative delivery platform to market and potentially transforming treatment approaches for a range of challenging medical conditions.
