Project Grant R44EY028827

The National Eye Institute (NEI) awarded a $412,285 Project Grant under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to validate an advanced transepithelial corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) technology. The goal is to develop a more effective CXL procedure that can strengthen the cornea without requiring removal of the surface epithelium, which often leads to complications. The key products and services to be delivered include: Constructing an...

This federal Project Grant award of $431,750.00 from the National Eye Institute (CFDA 93.867 - Vision Research) supports research by the University of California, Irvine to develop a novel laser-based approach for non-viral corneal gene delivery. The key objectives are to create microchannels through the corneal epithelium to enhance transepithelial diffusion, and use femtosecond laser pulses to open membrane pores in stromal keratocytes for safer plasmid-based gene delivery without the...

Federal Project Grant Award Summary The National Eye Institute (NEI) awarded New York University School of Medicine a $673,747 Vision Research project grant (CFDA 93.867) commencing June 1, 2025, and concluding May 31, 2030, to develop advanced optical imaging technology for early detection of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The research focuses on advancing visible-to-near-infrared spanning optical coherence tomography (OCT) to achieve half-micron axial resolution for retinal imaging,...

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $274,416 Project Grant under the NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084) to Biolattice Ophthalmics, Inc. (doing business as Biolattice LLC) on December 1, 2023. The award supports the development of a novel acellular polymer membrane for use as a cornea substitute, with the goal of providing a true alternative to donor cornea for full thickness cornea replacement. The artificial cornea aims to offer a biocompatible,...

ESK Therapeutics, Inc. received a $330,169 Project Grant from the National Eye Institute (NEI) under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) for the period of September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026. The company is developing and commercializing CorneaClear eyedrops, a first-in-class biologic therapeutic designed to accelerate corneal wound healing and reduce scarring risk in patients with Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defects (PCED). PCED is a condition where corneal wounds fail to heal...

Summary Washington State University has received a $482,067 Project Grant from the National Eye Institute (NEI) under the Vision Research federal grant program (CFDA 93.867), effective August 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030. The grant supports the development of nanotherapies for targeted treatment of corneal neovascularization (CONV), a sight-threatening condition characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth into the cornea that disrupts normal corneal anatomy and causes opacity. Current...

The National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, awarded a $331,131 Project Grant under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) to Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) to develop and validate a high-resolution retinal imaging system with light flicker capabilities. This system aims to enable objective characterization of the photoreceptor response to light and quantify differences between normal and diseased eyes, particularly for patients with diabetic retinopathy. PSI,...

Federal Cooperative Agreement Summary Duke University received a Cooperative Agreement award of $1,583,988 from the National Eye Institute (NEI) under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867), effective September 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029. The award supports the development of a next-generation robotically guided intraoperative ophthalmic optical coherence tomography (OCT) microscope system through an academic-industry partnership. The research team, comprising ophthalmic surgeons,...

Federal Cooperative Agreement Summary Award Details: The National Eye Institute (NEI) issued a Cooperative Agreement to Panluminate Inc. under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) for $583,247 beginning September 1, 2025, with a completion date of April 30, 2029. Panluminate Inc., a woman-owned small business based in New Haven, Connecticut, will develop Pan-Optix, an innovative multiplexed nanoscopy platform that integrates Pan-Expansion Microscopy (PAN-EXM) and FLASH-PAINT technologies to...

This Project Grant award, valued at $400,000, was provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under its Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) program (CFDA 47.070). The award supports the development of innovative "snapshot computational imaging" systems that leverage recent advances in metaoptics, or optical devices using sub-wavelength nano-structures, to capture multidimensional information about light interactions with the world. The key objectives of this...