Signum Biosciences has been awarded a $1.6m Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) phase II grant by the National Institute of Allergy and Infection Diseases (NIAID), to continue the development of its topical STM (Signal Transduction Modulator) anti-inflammatory technology. It is meant for the treatment of inflammatory skin disease.
Signum claims to use the phase II grant to fund preclinical development of its drug candidates for rosacea.
Earlier, NIH in 2008, awarded Signum a SBIR phase I grant to establish the novel class of anti-inflammatories. SBIR phase II grants are expected to enable SBIR Phase I grantees to further develop their technology and prepare it for commercialisation.
Maxwell Stock, president and COO, said: “We are proud to have been awarded this grant and to have the reviewers at the NIH validate our technology. Building on our phase I achievements, Signum is dedicated to developing its STM anti-inflammatory platform as novel therapeutics for rosacea as well as several other dermal skin disorders.”