SylamoreBio, a biotechnology company based in Northeast Arkansas, has been awarded a highly competitive $3 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The funding will accelerate the company's pre-clinical research to develop a therapeutic for GM1 gangliosidosis, a rare, fatal neurodegenerative disease.
The grant represents a significant milestone for the Arkansas-based biotech, which is conducting its research at Arkansas State University's Catalyst Innovation Center within the Arkansas Biosciences Institute building. Dr. Walter Acosta, the company's chief scientific officer and A-State alumnus, and Dr. Tianhong Yang, senior scientist and fellow A-State graduate, serve as principal investigators on the grant.
Proprietary Blood-Brain Barrier Technology
Central to SylamoreBio's therapeutic approach is its proprietary SyLEC delivery system, specifically designed to transport therapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier. This represents a critical advancement in addressing one of the most significant challenges in treating neurological disorders, as the blood-brain barrier typically prevents many potential therapeutics from reaching brain tissue.
The company's focus on GM1 gangliosidosis addresses a critical unmet medical need. This rare neurodegenerative disease is fatal and currently lacks effective treatment options, making SylamoreBio's research particularly significant for affected patients and families.
Academic-Industry Partnership
SylamoreBio's success exemplifies the translation of academic research into commercial therapeutic development. The company was co-founded by Dr. Carole Cramer, professor emeritus of biological sciences and former executive director of the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, who served as Acosta's faculty mentor during his doctoral studies at A-State. Cramer now serves as the company's president and founder.
"This is a profound success story that highlights the direct value of A-State's investment in both people and infrastructure," said Dr. Todd Shields, chancellor of Arkansas State University. "Dr. Acosta's journey — from Ph.D. student to chief scientific officer of a company developing life-saving therapies in a facility on our campus — is a testament to the quality of our molecular biosciences program and the vision of the ABI."
Economic Impact and Growth
With 12 employees and a growing team, SylamoreBio is contributing to high-tech job creation in the Arkansas Delta region. The company's funding comes from multiple sources, including federal grants such as the NIH SBIR award and SBIR Matching Grants from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, enabling continued research advancement while supporting regional economic development.
Dr. Travis Marsico, vice provost for research, innovation, and discovery and executive director of the ABI, emphasized the broader impact: "The success of SylamoreBio, led by A-State alumni and former faculty members, demonstrates the critical role our research ecosystem plays in moving basic science from the lab bench to the marketplace. Having a company working on such high-impact, federally funded research here at the Catalyst Innovation Center is exactly what the ABI was designed to achieve."
The $3 million Phase II SBIR grant will accelerate SylamoreBio's pre-clinical efforts, bringing a potential treatment for GM1 gangliosidosis closer to clinical reality and offering hope to patients and families affected by this devastating neurodegenerative disease.
