ARPA-H funds research proposals from small businesses
Agency supports proposals for innovative research and development from small businesses
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is seeking proposals from small businesses with the expertise to conduct innovative research and development to contribute toward the agency’s mission.
With a scope spanning the molecular to the societal, ARPA-H seeks Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposals that aim to rapidly achieve better health outcomes across patient populations, communities, disease, and health conditions, including support of the Cancer Moonshot. Awardees will develop groundbreaking new ways to tackle health-related challenges through high-potential, high-impact biomedical and health research.
The application deadline is now closed.
Prior SBIR awards
ARPA-H expects awardees to use innovative approaches to enable revolutionary advances in science, technology, or systems. Awards made from the SBIR solicitation are generally in the form of contracts. Exact award amounts depend on meeting aggressive milestones, typical to the ARPA-H process.
ARPA-H is pleased to announce the following SBIR awardees:
Enhancing security capabilities through an analytic platform ecosystem
This project delivers on ARPA-H's goal of improving identity and access management by creating a breakthrough method for data processing that can overcome the challenges of the healthcare sector. Designed 15 years ago, the current data architecture is outdated and broken. The inefficiencies are most notable in the healthcare sector. Using Zigguratum’s unique approach, multiple disparate data sources will be acquired, processed, and analyzed, which enables the flexibility, scalability, and manageability required today. The approach also enables the rapid deployment of applications using a semantic layer that supports any hospital environment. Thus, security capabilities can be rapidly consumed and shared across small and regional health providers.
AI-Enhanced Compact Ultrasound for Autonomous Newborn Heart Monitoring and Congenital Disease Detection
The project aims to develop a next generation of echocardiography using autonomous ultrasound (US) scanning and artificial intelligence-based diagnostics of congenital heart diseases (CHD) in neonates, overcoming the limited accuracy of current standard practice using perinatal US imaging and pulse oximetry. We will optimize an US scanner and research framework will be established. Extensive clinical study will collect volumetric echocardiographic data from neonates with and without CHD, which will train artificial intelligence for guided probe placement, optimized scanning sequence, and autonomous CHD identification. Complementary expertise in AI development (Kitware), biomedical instrumentation (Johns Hopkins University), and clinical cardiology, neonatology, and pediatric intensive care (Johns Hopkins Medicine) will bring a unique opportunity to embody a rapid and accurate autonomous echocardiography.
All-in-one pressure, flow control, and imaging for culturing and monitoring lymphatic microphysiologic system
LymphaTech seeks to develop a closed-loop, feedback-controlled perfusion and pressure system for applying and controlling dynamic wall-shear stress, interstitial flow, and/or strain on lymphatic vasculature networks with integrated imaging. While mechanically driven growth processes are essential to the adaptation of lymphatic structures, as might occur at the onset of lymphatic pathologies, and yet, our knowledge of mechanisms and remodeling in lymphatics and the consequence of these adaptation to function is largely unknown. A variety of customized, niche devices have been developed by different labs, but these approaches are not prevalent within the larger research community, and more importantly, the pharmaceutical industry and clinics that specialize in treating lymphatic disease have not had access to potential lymphatic physiologic microsystems. This project aims to develop a prototype that will utilize both pressure and flow sensors to dynamically modulate the mechanical environment of lymphatic endothelial cells and/or lymphatic muscle cells and will be adaptable to any tissue culture platform.
Continuous Monitoring of Cardiovascular Health Using Smart Stents
Triton intends to create a smart implantable stent that will both structurally correct for a vessel blockage and become a cardiovascular (CV) health monitoring tool capable of measuring biomarkers normalized to the specific user’s baseline(s). The smart implantable stent will accurately measure biomarkers after surgery. The stent structure will remain in place and perform the basic functions of a stent throughout the life of the patient. The stent will transmit data to a health app wirelessly, and continuously monitor CV health relevant measures including vessel flow (signifying occlusion), arterial pressure, and (later) troponin levels. This project is intended to create a significant breakthrough in the ability to communicate relevant information wirelessly within the structural dimension and materials constraints of implantable coronary artery stents.
Continuous Monitoring of Vascular health using Smart Biomimetic Implantables
Between 2009 and 2017, over half of a million patients underwent an intervention for in-stent restenosis of a coronary vascular stent. Despite concerted efforts by industrial and academic researchers, modern drug eluting and resorbable stents have not materially reduced the risk of in-stent restenosis, posing a lethal hazard to the 1.2 million Americans who receive a stent implant every year. This proposal outlines a development plan for a novel electronically-enhanced smart-stent, BioSMART, capable of monitoring vascular health and stent integrity, measuring hemodynamic parameters, detecting restenosis and thrombosis, and sensing biomarkers indicating an increased risk of myocardial infarction. BioSMART communicates over a secured wireless link to a modern phone or tablet through a dongle, and actively alerts patients when sensor readings significantly change. The BioSMART device is designed of biocompatible materials, and is intended to be fully compatible with existing surgical workflows and delivery procedures.
IVD device for Patient Immune Profiling and personalized treatment selection
Feromics has demonstrated the effectiveness of in-droplet live cell immunoassays for accurately profiling patients' immune cells. Building on this foundation, the company is advancing its proprietary Patient Immune Profiling (PIP) platform, paired with advanced imaging and powerful AI tools, to develop and validate a cutting-edge IVD point-of-care device. This technology will support clinicians in predicting patient responses to immunotherapy and provide critical insights into immune cell diversity, driving personalized medicine forward and improving immunotherapy outcomes.
LymphoLab ProDiscover Kit
The goal of this project is to develop a lymphatic vasculature assay kit – The LymphoLab ProDiscover Kit – that is affordable and modular, allowing research into lymphatic tissue development, function, disease, and treatment. This kit will allow for a rapid and standardized platform to test the effect of drugs, cells, and other factors of the lymphatic microenvironment on the formation and function of lymphatic vasculature and related processes. This project incorporates essential aspects of the lymphatic microenvironment and structure, such as extracellular matrix (ECM) components, lumen formation, seeding with lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and various other cell types, physiological fluid flow rates, and biomechanics. Inexpensive and widely available imaging techniques will be compatible with the kit, permitting observation of lymphatic tissue function and response to cellular stimuli or relevant modifying agents. The kit allows for experimentation with lymphatic organoids in a physiologically relevant microenvironment that is independent of the hydrogel matrix, cell type, matrix mechanics, tissue architecture, or biochemical signaling implemented.
Neurometric Authentication for Secure and Real-Time Access Management in Healthcare Environments
This project aims to develop a novel identity and access management (IAM) system, leveraging wearable neuromuscular interfaces for continuous, real-time biometric authentication. The project will employ a multidisciplinary approach to develop and validate algorithms integrating “neurometric” authentication into IAM systems, while evaluating the feasibility of deploying such systems to improve the efficiency and security of authentication in healthcare settings.
Advanced Imaging Aided Autonomous Robotic Cholecystectomy
This ARPA-H SBIR Phase II project aims to develop an 'autonomous' minimally invasive surgery approach, enhancing outcomes in procedures like laparoscopic cholecystectomy through advanced robotic tools and a 'smart' vision framework. The research team will explore whether the novel robotic platform can elevate the safety and efficiency of gallbladder removal surgery by integrating supervised autonomy. The need for the project is driven by the current trends in surgical care to minimize complications and make medical care more quantitative and repeatable. Grounded in advanced surgical vision and a robust perception framework, this project signifies a significant leap forward in surgical robotics.
Design Integration and Testing of a Low-Cost Disposable Remotely Controlled Microneedle Transdermal Drug Delivery Device
The project plans to develop Digital SatioRx, a very low cost remotely controllable disposable microneedle transdermal drug delivery device able to deliver any liquid FDA-approved transdermal drug. Digital SatioRx's telemedicine-enabled (EHR-integrated), remotely activated, disposable design and unique delivery system will minimize infection risk and ensure administration of a reproducible drug dose to any patient in seconds. It will allow providers to ensure compliance while reducing costs and inconvenience for patients. Design features from other Satio telemedicine devices and manually operated transdermal delivery devices will guide final design.
Microneedle-based Patch for Remote and Real-time Transdermal Drug Delivery for Cardiovascular Disease
Triton Systems Inc. will create a transdermal microneedle patch and portable on-body pump system for therapeutic drug delivery for cardiovascular disease management (CVD) and intervention. The device will offer the capability for real-time remote management of therapeutic dosages by medical staff through communication with patient-specific electronic health records (EHRs), while remaining HIPAA-compliant. The platform will monitor patient vital signs by leveraging commercially available technology.
A Smart AI-based Digital Health Framework for Enhancing Pediatric Wellness
The primary purpose of the project is to build preliminary AI algorithms to detect Ear Nose Throat (ENT) and respiratory (asthma) issues in a pediatric rural population with the intention of facilitating telehealth diagnosis and treatment, and minimizing burdens related to accessing health care in rural areas.
Digital Assessment of Children’s Conditions Using Artificial Intelligence (“DACCS AI”)
This project explores applying artificial intelligence (AI), transfer learning, and assessment of mobile phone images of pediatric throat, otoscopy ear, and skin conditions to help enable remote pediatric care of colds, sore throats, ear infections and other diseases.
Real-time Functional Fluorescence Nerve Imaging for Surgery
This project plans to synthesize and characterize novel nerve-specific fluorescence guided surgery (FGS) contrast agents to select a bright, water-soluble lead compound for clinical translation with optimal nerve visualization, functional assessment performance, and clinically relevant pharmacology and toxicology (pharm/tox) profiles for follow-on Investigational New Drug-enabling studies and first-in-human trials.
StrepApp: Deep Learning to Diagnose Streptococcal Pharyngitis
This Phase II project is for the advancement of diagnostic capabilities for detecting Group A Streptococcus pharyngitis (GAS). The goals under the contract include a comprehensive and diverse database, multiple trained and optimized deep learning models deployable on a mobile device, FDA clearance for the algorithms, and the validation of the app's performance through clinical research. These achievements will establish the foundation for a reliable, accurate, and user-friendly diagnostic tool that can effectively detect GAS pharyngitis in children.
Translation of Novel Biliary Tract-specific Contrast Agent to Mediate Successful Image-guided Hepatobiliary Interventions
The project aims to advance the development of BL-760, a near-infrared contrast agent designed for clear intraoperative identification of bile ducts. This novel dye addresses the significant medical issue of bile duct injury during hepatobiliary surgeries (e.g., cholecystectomy, hepatectomy), impacting over 1 million patients annually. The project plans to produce BL-760 with high quality standards (GMP) and to conduct rigorous safety tests in a controlled lab environment (GLP), at the allow for Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies to test the dye in humans. The project outcome will improve patient outcomes and set a new standard of care in the field of hepatobiliary surgery.
Highly Miniaturized and Portable MALDI-2 Based Imaging Mass Spectrometry for Point-of-Care Clinical Diagnostics
This project plans to design, optimize, test, and deliver two fully functional miniature, portable MALDI-2 imaging mass spectrometer (IMS) prototype systems capable of high-resolution imaging mass spectrometry. The miniaturized IMS will support a disruptive technology as a portable point-of-care clinical diagnostic.
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