Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded Caleo Biotechnologies, Inc., a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant of $289,435 under the NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084) to develop patient-derived, multicellular tissue models for studying colitis-associated cancer. The award, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, supports the development of advanced preclinical models that integrate epithelial, stromal, and immune compartments to better replicate the complexity of inflammation-driven colorectal cancer. These tissue engineering systems are designed to improve drug development predictability, reduce reliance on animal testing, and accelerate the identification of targeted therapies for patients with chronic inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

The project delivers research outcomes and translational capabilities that support national priorities in non-animal testing approaches and precision medicine. Key deliverables include reproducible patient-derived tissue models spanning normal, inflammatory, and dysplastic disease states, along with validation of disease-relevant structures for therapeutic screening. By advancing tissue-based preclinical platforms, the work addresses gaps in current oversimplified or inadequate co-culture systems, thereby reducing development timelines and costs while contributing to workforce development in tissue engineering and translational research.