4 October 2011
Parabon NanoLabs announced that it has received an SBIR Phase I1 contract from Department of Health Program at the US Department of Defense to extend the company's Essemblix(tm) Drug Development Platform to enable the creation of artificial vaccines from a predefined set of "building block molecules" assembled on DNA origami. Under this contract, Parabon will demonstrate the feasibility of (i) enhancing its existing inSēquio™ Design Studio CAD software to support the design of mimotopes with building block molecules; and (ii) modulating, through rational design, the charge distribution and hydrophobicity of specific mimotopes, since these attributes can affect conformation and stability. Prototype mimotopes will be created for Borrelia burgdorferi and ricin toxin and their affinity to specific monoclonal antibodies will be demonstrated via ELISA assay. Upon conclusion of this feasibility effort, Parabon will seek Phase II funding to create the artificial vaccines and evaluate them in a murine model.
Click here to read the full project abstract.
1 The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs. A company that receives SBIR funding is eligible for sole source grants and contracts with the Federal government for services and products used on, developed in or derived from the SBIR effort.
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For more information contact media@parabon.com, 703.689.9689 x250
