NuvOx Pharma has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research contract (contract # HHSN268201400045C) for “Development of Molecular Imaging Agents and Methods to Detect High Risk Atherosclerotic Plaque” by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
Tucson, Arizona, September 10, 2014
Evan Unger, MD, President and CEO of NuvOx Pharma announced today that NuvOx Pharma has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research contract (contract # HHSN268201400045C) for “Development of Molecular Imaging Agents and Methods to Detect High Risk Atherosclerotic Plaque” by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
Atherosclerosis is disease where plaque builds up inside the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart and other parts of the body. Rupture of the high risk atherosclerotic plaques and blood clot formation is the major cause of heart attacks and strokes. Heart attacks are a leading killer of both men and women in the United States.
The co-Principal Investigators on this project are Dr. Unger and Dr. Jonathan Lindner. Dr. Lindner is the M. Lowell Edwards Professor of Cardiology at the Knight Cardiovascular Institute at Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Lindner said, “I am very excited about this project. On this project we bring together the vascular biology and imaging expertise of the Knight Cardiovascular Institute and the expertise in translational nanotechnology of NuvOx Pharma. Together we have the potential to develop technology to detect and potentially treat vulnerable plaque before it causes heart attack or stroke.”
Under the terms of the contract NuvOx will receive $225,000 for the first year of the project. Successful completion of the first year of the project could lead to a larger opportunity for a Phase II SBIR funding to further advance the project.
NuvOx is a privately held biotechnology company based in Tucson, Arizona. For additional information refer to http://www.nuvoxpharma.com.