STTR Phase I: Room Temperature Stable, Dry Powder Particle-Based Vaccines Against Influenza

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $305,000 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to demonstrate room-temperature-stable, dry powder inhalable influenza vaccines represent as an innovative, next generation technology to promote the health and welfare of the American public by eliminating the existing pain points of current influenza vaccines. The global influenza vaccine market size is projected to increase to $17.77 billion by 2032. Therefore, the demand for innovative vaccines against seasonal respiratory viruses remains a high priority. These dry powder vaccines introduce a transformative innovation – induction of durable protective immunity that targets both the upper and lower airways via nasal delivery and removing the cold chain due to room-temperature shelf stability, thereby lowering vaccine costs and wastage. This outcome can result in cost savings of up to 80%. The economic and social benefits of this vaccine technology will lead to achieving and maintaining a significant market share of the flu vaccine market. Additionally, this technology’s plug-and-play capability allows swapping pathogen-specific proteins and creating new inhalable room-temperature-stable vaccines for other respiratory pathogens. Altogether, this advance will significantly lower storage costs while improving our nation’s strategic preparedness in stockpiling vaccines against circulating disease, emerging threats, or biowarfare agents. This Small Business Technology

Key facts

NSF award ID
2528179
Awardee
IMMUNO NANO MED, INC (IA)
SAM.gov UEI
Y6J5CXHDPMJ6
PI
Sean Kelly
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
BIOMEDICAL ENG AND DIAGNOSTICS, EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES
Estimated total
$305,000
Funds obligated
$305,000
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
10/01/2025 → 09/30/2026