National Institutes of Health Award Inherent Biosciences a Direct to Phase II SBIR Grant

Inherent Biosciences, a Salt Lake City molecular diagnostics company, has been awarded a Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) for its project, "Epigenetic Diagnostic for Severe Spermatogenic Failure and Associated Malignancy Risks." Direct to Phase II awards go to companies that have already done the early feasibility work on their own and are prepared to move directly into advanced development and commercialization.

Male infertility affects roughly 7 million men in the United States and accounts for about half of all infertility cases. The most severe form leaves no sperm in a man's semen at all, and today's tests can't explain why in most of those cases. Men in this group also face higher odds of cancer and heart disease later in life, a connection few of them ever hear about.

Working with researchers at Dr. Dolores Lamb's laboratory, Inherent found that a gene responsible for repairing damaged DNA is switched off in up to 19% of these men, which may account for both the infertility and the added health risk. The grant funds a test that can spot the change from a semen sample, with no separate blood draw, along with the clinical studies and laboratory certification needed before doctors can order it. Once ready, it joins the company's existing set of tests for men facing the same diagnosis.

Nucleus Grow is proud to continue supporting Inherent Biosciences. This year, Inherent received SBIR/STTR Commercialization Funding from Nucleus Grow to help accelerate its path to market through targeted commercialization activities. That support included customer discovery, introductions that led to new physician adopters, a sharper market strategy, and partnership opportunities that continue to generate value. 

"Nucleus Grow has been a constant for us as the company has grown. Their support has come at the moments where we needed it most, and it's never been a one-time transaction. They stay engaged, they keep making introductions, and they've helped us think about what happens after the science works," said Kristin Brogaard, PhD, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Inherent Biosciences.   

Utah companies interested in pursuing non-dilutive research and development funding through the federal SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs can contact Nucleus Grow at Grow@Nucleusutah.org.