Wayfinder startup companies Purist and Docbot both recently received Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding grants. Docbot obtained a National Science Foundation SBIR phase 1 grant of $225,000. Purist received a National Institute of Health SBIR grant of over $223,000.
The SBIR is a highly competitive program that encourages small businesses to engage in federal research and development (R&D) with the goal of commercialization.
“Getting an SBIR grant from the NSF is a game changer for us and [we] will use every dollar to the advancement of care for patients with Barrett’s Esophagus,” said Andrew Ninh, chief executive officer of Docbot.
Barrett’s Esophagus is damage to the lower portion of esophagus from its repeated exposure to stomach acid. It is most often diagnosed in people with long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease, according to Mayo Clinic.
Docbot uses artificial intelligence (AI) to link polyps to pathogen detection, which will ultimately improve colonoscopies and endoscopies to treat gastro-related health issues.
Docbot will award a portion of the grant to UCI and use the rest to construct their machinery and team. To prove the product’s efficacy, Ninh also hopes to build and validate the AI for clinical trials.
Purist, the other recipient, led by CEO Leila Safavi-Tehrani, produces and distributes radioactive diagnostic supplies for cancer and other serious illnesses.
With the grant and R&D, Safavi aims to make her products viable for commercial application to meet medical and pharmaceutical industry requirements.
Purist plans to collaborate with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and seek more partnership opportunities with different facilities.
“I think it will be essential in helping us move Purist forward because Oak Ridge National Lab is a world leader in nuclear science and engineering here in the U.S. and they have amazing capabilities and world renowned scientists working there,” noted Safavi.
Find out more information about SBIR grant opportunities.