Eascra Biotech Awarded $100,000 MassVentures START Grant
Summary
BOSTON, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- a nanomedicine startup, has been awarded a $100,000 Stage I SBIR Targeted Technologies (START) grant funded by the Commonwealth and managed by MassVentures. The START program awards $100,000 to $500,000 in non-dilutive funds and provides business guidance, such as introductions to investors, pitch coaching, and mentoring, to help companies commercialize their technologies.With this funding and strategic support from the START program, we can accelerate our path to commercialization and continue building a company that contributes to economic growth in Massachusetts, said Mari Anne Snow, cofounder and CEO.This award builds on the momentum of Eascras use of microgravity to accelerate the development of their JBNp products. The company previously received more than $4.5M in grants and awards and recently opening its first commercial lab in Worcester.The START program is intended to help convert research and early-stage ideas into businesses and jobs in the Commonwealth, said MassVentures President and CEO Charlie Hipwood.Eascras JBNp technology, pioneered by Eascra co-founder Dr. Yupeng Chen, a professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Connecticut, delivers RNA therapeutics to hard-to-penetrate tissues like cartilage and solid tumors. Eascras proprietary nanoparticles are highly versatile and able to maintain fragile cargos like mRNA at room temperature for extended periods, thus eliminating cold chain requirements.About Eascra BiotechEascra Biotech (eascrabiotech.com) is an early-stage nanomedicine startup providing an advanced therapeutic delivery platform capable of delivering nucleotides, gene editing, and other therapeutics to hard-to-reach treatment sites, such as articular cartilage, kidneys and solid tumors. We are actively seeking commercial partnerships with companies in need of innovative delivery mechanisms to expedite the development of cutting-edge treatments that enhance patient outcomes.