Sttr phase i: anti-scarring therapies for vocal fold injury

The National Science Foundation awarded Novo Heal, Inc. $305,000 on July 1, 2026, under the NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships Program (CFDA 47.084) to develop anti-scarring therapies for vocal fold injury.

The project aims to develop a scalable, potency-verified vocal fold therapy that inhibits TGF-β1–driven fibrosis and restores vocal fold micro-architecture damaged by surgery, overuse, trauma, radiation, intubation, reflux, or infection. Phase I work will produce a solution with verified stability, reproducible potency, and demonstrated dose-dependent efficacy and safety in a large laryngeal injury model. The therapy is designed to provide a pro-healing environment, enabling patients to achieve fewer interventions, shorter hospital stays, reduced complications, and lower overall costs while restoring communication and quality of life.

Novo Heal, Inc., headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, is the recipient. The period of performance runs through June 30, 2027. Sub-awards are planned for this Phase I project. This is a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I award, an assistance type that supports technology development through collaboration between small businesses and research institutions.

Abstract

The broader impact/commercial potential of this small business technology transfer (sttr) phase i project is significant, and successful commercialization will provide significant clinical benefits to millions of patients with vocal fold injuries in the united states each year, improving communication, employability, community participation, mental health and quality of life. Importantly, the product provides anti-scarring efficacy to help patients to achieve fewer interventions, shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and lower overall costs. This small business technology transfer (sttr) phase i project addresses the difficulty of restoring vocal fold micro-architecture by developing a treatment for voice injury. Injury factors include surgery, overuse, trauma, radiation, intubation, reflux, and infection. Vocal fold fibrosis leads to chronic dysphonia, currently with no approved therapy to restore the needed micro-architecture. The goal of this phase i project is to develop a scalable, potency-verified vocal fold therapy with a proven safety profile and antifibrotic effects in large animals. To address this need, the team developed a vocal fold therapy, which inhibits TGF-?1?driven fibrosis and has the potential to provide a pro-healing environment to restore vocal fold function. Expected outcomes of this proposal include a scalable solution of anti-fibrotic vocal fold therapy with verified stability and reproducible potency and dose-dependent efficacy and safety in a large laryngeal injury model. This grant will significantly reduce the risks associated with this unique platform, designed specifically for the vocal fold, and prepare for future grant applications. 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 planned for this award.