Mesa Science Associates Receives Grant to Study Marfan Syndrome Treatment
Mesa Science Associates Inc. (MSA) received a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research Grant (SBIR) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) entitled “Development of Cobinamide as a Novel Treatment for Aortic Aneurysms of Marfan Syndrome: Phase I Pharmacokinetic Studies.” Upon receiving this notification, Mr. Michael Mesa, President of MSA, “stated that this grant results from a long-term relationship between MSA researchers and Dr. Jerry Boss, a highly regarded researcher at the University of California San Diego (UCSD).” Mr. Mesa also indicated that MSA Chief Science Officer Kenneth Dretchen, Ph.D., will lead the effort at MSA. The MSA team will collaborate with the UCSD laboratory run by Dr. Boss and other outside laboratories to complete the studies performed under this grant. Mr. Mesa also stated “that while MSA has participated in the past as a subcontractor on NIH projects, this is the first NIH grant in which MSA will be the lead laboratory. We at MSA are proud and excited to be part of such an exciting and important project.” Dr. Dretchen explained the goals of the studies to be conducted under this grant as follows: “Marfan Syndrome is associated with progressive weakening of large blood vessels leading to a rupture of a major artery such as the aorta, which is fatal. The damage to the blood vessels is associated with oxidative stress, caused by the presence of free radicals containing oxygen in the tissue. Cobinamide is a drug that has significant anti-oxidative properties. This SBIR Phase 1 Study will evaluate four Cobinamide derivatives with slightly different chemical structures. The goal will be to determine which molecules have the greatest absorption when administered orally and whether absorption occurs in the stomach or the intestine. The studies will be critically important in designing the appropriate oral dosage formulation. In addition, these studies will determine how long the drug remains at sufficient levels in the body, which is important in determining how often the drug must be administered.” The data obtained from the above Phase I studies will provide the basis for the Phase II studies, which will involve the design of a specific oral formulation and establish the drug’s long-term safety. MSA hopes to file for the Phase II part of this grant in early January. These NIH-funded studies will hopefully lead to the first-in-human studies of this drug and its effect on Marfan Syndrome. Mesa Science Associates Inc. is a veteran-owned small business located within the Frederick Innovation and Technology Center 4539 Metropolitan Ct. in Frederick, Md.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES 51 “BUILD TO SCALE” GRANTS TOTALING $47 MILLIONTO FUEL INNOVATION AND TECH-BASED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
October 5, 2022
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding 51 “Build to Scale” grants – totaling $47 million – to organizations that support technology entrepreneurs, catalyze innovation and fuel economic growth.
EDA’s “Build to Scale” program provides annual grants that aim to accelerate technology entrepreneurship by increasing inclusive access to entrepreneurial support and startup capital. The 2022 awardees will leverage an additional $48 million in matching funds from a variety of private and public sector sources. These EDA investments support advanced manufacturing, bioscience, clean energy and blue economy clusters in regions throughout the United States.
"Strengthening technology ecosystems are a critical key to the Biden Administration's efforts to build a stronger America,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Innovation and entrepreneurship have long been keys to American success and will continue to strengthen our collective economic and national security, as well as individual prosperity and well-being.”
"EDA is proud to partner with this year's 'Build to Scale' grantees as they invest in entrepreneurs and create equitable access to capital in their communities," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. "These projects will give the next generation of industry-leading companies a seminal boost that will result in job creation and private investment – potentially transforming a regional economy and creating economic opportunity beyond what we can foresee.”
The 2022 Build to Scale program was comprised of two competitions––the Venture Challenge and the Capital Challenge. The Venture Challenge supports programs that enable high-growth technology entrepreneurship and foster inclusive access to proven entrepreneurship support models. The Capital Challenge increases access to capital in communities where risk capital is in short supply by providing operational support for early-stage investment funds, networks, and training programs that focus on both traditional and hybrid equity-based financing.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.
