Sbir phase II: ncapsule personalized cancer screening for colorectal cancer treatment regimens

Award: NSF SBIR Phase II: nCapsule Personalized Cancer Screening for Colorectal Cancer Treatment Regimens

Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF) Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Program (CFDA 47.084)

Awardee: Encapsulate Inc., Farmington, Connecticut

Award Amount: $1,213,619 | Award Date: June 15, 2025 | Completion Date: May 31, 2027

Encapsulate Inc. is developing an integrated precision oncology platform that combines microfluidics, biochips, bioreactors, and three-dimensional (3D) tumor models to predict patient-specific cancer drug responses. The technology utilizes patient-derived biopsy specimens to create functional tumor models that maintain tumor heterogeneity and integrate immune and stromal cells, enabling oncologists to test multiple treatment options in vitro before treatment initiation. This approach addresses the current trial-and-error treatment selection methodology that results in unnecessary patient toxicity, increased healthcare costs, and suboptimal outcomes in colorectal and pancreatic cancer treatment.

The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project targets a substantial domestic market opportunity of approximately $2 billion in colorectal and pancreatic cancer treatment, with a global market exceeding $30 billion. By enabling rapid, data-driven treatment selection and reducing ineffective treatment cycles, the platform has the potential to improve patient survival rates, decrease adverse drug effects, and lower overall healthcare expenditures while contributing to STEM workforce development through industry-academic collaborations in biomedical research and biotechnology innovation.

Abstract

The broader impact/commercial potential of this small business innovation research (sbir) phase II project lies in its ability to transform personalized cancer treatment by providing a rapid and precise method for predicting the effectiveness of various treatment options on individual patients. Current treatment selection methods rely on an empirical, trial-and-error approach, often resulting in unnecessary toxicity, increased healthcare costs, and suboptimal patient outcomes. This project seeks to enhance treatment success rates, reduce unnecessary treatment cycles, and ultimately lower the financial burden on both patients and the healthcare system. The commercial potential of this technology is substantial, as IT addresses a $2 billion U.S. Market in colorectal and pancreatic cancer treatment, with a broader global market exceeding $30 billion. By reducing the likelihood of ineffective treatments and drug resistance, this innovation has the potential to improve survival rates, decrease side effects, and pave the way for more effective, data-driven decision making in oncology. Additionally, this project contributes to stem workforce development, fostering industry academic collaborations and broader participation in biomedical research and technology. This small business innovation research (sbir) phase II project aims to develop a precision oncology platform that integrates microfluidics, biochips, bioreactors, and 3D tumor models to predict patient-specific cancer drugs responses. The proposed technology utilizes patient-derived biopsy specimens to create tumor models, allowing oncologists to test multiple treatment options before treatment begins. By maintaining tumor heterogeneity and integrating immune and stromal cells, this system closely mimics in vivo tumor behavior. The research objectives include optimizing microfluidic biochips for enhanced tumor growth and viability, automating real-time data collection, and validating clinical predictions through retrospective and prospective patient studies. This approach will be tested on colorectal and pancreatic cancers, two of the deadliest malignancies with high treatment failure rates. The anticipated results include a significant improvement in treatment accuracy, reduced patient exposure to ineffective drugs, and the development of a scalable, cost-effective diagnostic test for clinical adoption. This project will lay the foundation for broader applications in precision oncology, accelerating the integration of personalized medicine into mainstream cancer care. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.