Bridgeport, CT – Today, Congressman Jim Himes announced ZetrOZ Systems and Gynion—two Trumbull-based medical technology companies—were selected to receive Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants.
Congressman Himes said, “The therapeutic research conducted in Southwestern Connecticut is truly amazing. The treatments ZetrOZ Systems and Gynion are developing are poised to help people suffering worldwide. Whether it be reducing pain from everyday tasks or preventing cervical cancer, these companies’ research initiatives stand to tangibly impact, and potentially save, millions of lives. I am glad the federal government has selected them to receive SBIR grants.”
ZetrOZ Systems, a leader in the development and manufacturing of wearable, non-invasive ultrasound-based medical devices, will receive more than $2 million in federal funding to refine its pioneering sonophoresis patch, designed to treat knee osteoarthritis.
President and CEO of ZetrOZ Systems, George K. Lewis, Ph.D., “We are working with key stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem to expand broad physician and patient access to our innovative non-invasive and non-opioid sustained acoustic medicine (sam®) biotechnologies to accelerate soft tissue healing and treat chronic joint pain. As part of this active-aging commercialization program, we are increasing our USA-based manufacturing and service partner network, driving clinical education and adoption at regional and national levels, and expanding our clinical portfolio offerings and soft-tissue indications. By enabling easy access to sam® care and eliminating barriers for patients we will help 100 million Americans live active and healthy lives pain free.”
A startup founded to address undertreated women’s health conditions, Gynion will receive over $360,000 in federal funding to support development of ablative topical gels meant to treat cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and other life-threatening conditions caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
Oleg Shikhman, Founder and CEO of Gynion, said, “Gynion is developing several products for Women’s Health, including Clarablex for the prevention of cervical cancer. Clarablex is designed to be as effective as current alternatives, yet a lot easier to use and significantly more affordable, removing all existing access barriers to timely care for women in the US and globally. This SBIR grant from the National Cancer Institute further validates our technology and will accelerate our progress in the development of Clarablex.”
Part of the Small Business Administration’s “America’s Seed Fund,” SBIR grants are awarded through a competitive application process to companies that are dedicated to scientific research and technological innovation. SBIR grants help create more than 65,000 jobs in the U.S. every year.